Reddit reviews Architectural Graphics

This is considered the Bible of architectural graphics and I'm pretty sure it's been a required textbook in most Schools of Architecture since the 1940's.

Design Drawing by Francis Ching
http://www.amazon.com/Design-Drawing-Francis-D-Ching/dp/0470533692

He covers perspectives and a host of other architectural drawing types, as well as things like line weight, tone and shading.

Also Architectural Graphics also by Ching.
http://www.amazon.com/Architectural-Graphics-Francis-D-Ching/dp/0470399112/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_z

Not online. Drafting really needs to be practiced in person and critiqued in order to be learned (even digitally).

People have mentioned below, but the Ching books really are THE standard for architectural drawing. There are really two types of drawing as well in architecture. There's all the technical stuff for construction documents. And then there are design drawings that are more of an artform.

My advice is to buy the Ching book. Learn about the conventions and techniques (what lineweights do, the types of orthographic, isometric, and perspective drawings). Then go and start looking at all the drawings you can online. Look at Paul Rudolph (particularly his section perspectives), look at the French Beaux-Arts drawings, look at Laugier, Labrouste, look at John Soane's drawings. For modern drawings look at Lebbeus Woods. Be a sponge, absorb it all.

Depending on your state, a degree may not be required to become a registered architect. Many small-medium practices (15-20 folks) have a need for some sort of in-house IT person and he may be able to use his computer experience in conjunction with his drafting ability to get in the door.

Some free software that would be hugely beneficial to learn:
Sketchup and Autodesk Revit (a 36 mo. student version is available for free download)

...and once again I am going to recommend a Ching book: Architectural Graphics

Okay, I'm not going into architecture really but I would like to have some advice. I'm in illustration and I'm looking on learning how to design and get the fundamentals of architecture. I'm pretty decent at perspective (I'm in technical illustration) and I mainly want to learn the thought process. Some books mentioned in this thread are pretty interesting and I'm contemplating on maybe buying one or 2. Although before I do I was wondering if anyone can enlighten me on these books I've found on my own but unsure about the quality:

http://www.amazon.com/City-Shaped-Patterns-Meanings-Through/dp/0821220160/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1373412339&sr=1-1&keywords=The+City+Shaped%3A+Urban+Patterns+and+Meanings+Through+History

^ This books seems really promising, but of course the price puts me off a little (I plan on buying more than one book) anyone have this book? Seems really great for inspiration and learning how cities develop.

http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Architecture-Francis-D-Ching/dp/1118142063/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1373412493&sr=1-1&keywords=Introduction+to+Architecture

^ again another promising book but the price Q.Q Same issue as the other book above. Feedback is appreciated.

http://www.amazon.com/Architectural-Graphics-Francis-D-Ching/dp/0470399112/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1373412567&sr=1-1&keywords=Architectural+Graphics

http://www.amazon.ca/Interior-Design-Illustrated-Francis-Ching/dp/1118090713/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=9P9QTDTSZXLG&coliid=I248RXWWVDQ6NZ

I'm basically looking at Ching's books. Last one is a .ca amazon.

Before any modeling, I'd get a handle on 2d drawing
http://www.amazon.com/Architectural-Graphics-Francis-D-Ching/dp/0470399112/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_4

Learn about lineweights, drawing plans/sections, isometric drawings - These rules matter once you take it to the computer.

Architects communicate in 2D like this, renderings usually only help the layman understand your project as they can't visualize space and form as easily as an architect can

http://drawingarchitecture.tumblr.com/

When you're in the computer I would probably learn autocad and revit to start out, rhino with paneling tools in your later semesters.

Try to find a renderering software that works with what you're good at. I use 3dsmax + vray for realism, but some professors prefer the clean look of sketchup

My pleasure. Oh, and I forgot to mention about the printing. I learned style that from my dad, who was a draftsman. Everything he wrote around the house was in that style of printing. I copied him as a kid and it's been my primary hand for over 30 years now.

Of the primary styles of technical lettering, it's probably the closest to freehand lettering as described on this page.

There are other variations. Architectural lettering is different from engineering or technical lettering. I describe architectural lettering as an "animated' form of technical lettering where it's common to see horizontals take on a slightly up-and-to-the-right slant. The basic style is described in the popular text Architectural Graphics by Frank Ching and is studied by most architecture students. Architects can take a more liberal approach to their lettering and most architects develop their own style and flair for writing. Engineering and mechanical drawings cannot take such liberties, and as a result, technical lettering is much more uniform in style than architectural lettering.

Well said!

Edit: to add to this, is there a place that has presets for cad line weights, etc, or should I just take them from Graphic Standards