How to Read Engineering Drawings Engineering drawings are typically used as visual tools in the creation of homes, bridges, and other buildings. While these drawings can be quite straightforward to individuals who are skilled in the field of engineering or architecture, they can be quite difficult to interpret for laypeople. Knowing how to read engineering drawings will help provide you with a better idea of the building plans. Steps 1 Familiarize yourself with the scale of the drawings. Understanding how large or small certain items are essential when reading engineering drawings. While most engineering drawings are created in "scale" versions of 1/4-1/8 inches (.55-.275 centimeters) per foot, other scales may be used for very large creations. Always determine the scale of the drawing before examining it in detail. If the scale is not obviously evident on the drawing, consult with the engineer who drew it for clarification.