Exterior elevation drawings usually show which view?

• A. Front view
• B. Top view
• C. Isometric view
• D. Side view

Answer: (D)

Elevation views are orthographic representations of a vertical exterior surface, shown as if you’re looking straight at one face from the outside. Exterior elevations specifically depict the outside face of the object as seen from the side, capturing its profile, height, and exterior features along that plane. This is why the side view is the typical exterior elevation: it shows the exterior geometry along a vertical plane from the side, whereas a front or rear elevation would show a different exterior face. The top view would be a plan from above, and an isometric view is a 3D depiction rather than a true orthographic elevation.