The general concept of drafting and the use of drafting instruments were discussed in chapters 2 through 5. By this time, you should be familiar with the use of various drafting instruments and with the elements of mechanical drawing. Draft-ing used in surveying, except for some freehand sketches, is generally performed by mechanical means; for example, the drawing of lines and surveying symbols is generally done with the aid of a straightedge, spline, template, and so on.

The drawings you make that are directly related to surveying will consist of maps, profiles, cross sections, mass diagrams, and, to some extent, other graphical calculations. Their usefulness depends upon how accurately you plot the points and lines representing the field measurements. It is important that you adhere to the requirements of standard drawing practices. Correctness, neatness, legibility, and well proportioned drawing arrangements are signs of professionalism.

1. The length of each line, either indicated on the line itself or in a tabulated form, with the distances keyed to the line designation.

2. The bearing of each line or the angles between lines.

3. The location of the mapped area as referenced to an established coordinate system.

4. The location and kind of each established monument indicating distances from referencemarks.

5. The name of each road, stream, landmark, and so on.

6. The names of all property owners, including those whose lots are adjacent to the mapped area.

7. The direction of the true or magnetic meridian, or both.

8. A graphical scale showing the corresponding numerical equivalent.

9. A legend to the symbols shown on the map, if those shown are not standard signs.

10. A title block that distinctly identifies the tract mapped or the owners name. (It is required to contain the name of the surveyor, the name of the draftsman, and the date of the survey.)

Besides the above information, there are some other items that may be required if the map is to become a public record. When this is the case, consult the local office of the Bureau of Land Management or the local surveyors society for the correct general information requirements to be included in the map to be drawn.

In drawing maps that will be used as a basis for studies, such as those to be used in roads, structures, or waterfront construction, you are required to include the following general information:

1. Information that will graphically represent the features in the plan, such as streams, lakes, boundaries, roads, fences, and condition and culture of the land.

5. The legend to symbols used, if they are not conventional signs.

6. A standard title block with a neat and appropriate title that states the kind or purpose of the map. Again, the surveyors name and that of the draftsman, as well as the date of survey, are to be included in the title block.

Maps developed as a basis for studies are so varied in purpose that the above information may be adequate for some but inadequate for others. The Engineering Aid, when in doubt, should consult the senior EA, the engineering officer, or the operations officer as to the information desired in the proposed map. The senior EA or the chief of the field survey party is required to know all these requirements before actual fieldwork is started.

A map with too much information is as bad as a map with too little information on it. It is not surprising to find a map that is so crowded with information and other details that it is hard to comprehend. If this happens, draw the map to a larger scale or reduce the information or details on it. Then, provide separate notes or descriptions for other information that will not fit well and thus will cause the appearance of overcrowding. Studying the features and quality of existing maps developed by NAVFACENGCOM and civilian architects and engineers (A & E) agencies will aid you a great deal in your own map drawing.