Stützenlinien

Stützenlinien, also known as supporting lines or guidelines, are visual aids used in various fields to help guide the eye or establish a spatial relationship. In technical drawings and architectural plans, stützenlinien are often faint or dashed lines used to indicate alignment or reference points. They are not intended to be part of the final rendered object but serve to ensure accuracy and consistency during the design and construction process. These lines might represent axes of symmetry, centerlines, or projection lines, facilitating the placement and dimensioning of other elements.

In graphic design and illustration, stützenlinien can be employed as compositional guides. Artists might use them to establish vanishing points for perspective, define the flow of a composition, or ensure the proportional balance of elements within a layout. Like their technical counterparts, these are typically temporary and removed or rendered invisibly in the final artwork. The concept extends to user interface design, where invisible guidelines help align text, buttons, and other interactive elements, creating a visually organized and intuitive user experience. The primary function of stützenlinien across these disciplines is to provide structure and order, improving clarity and precision.