støttelinjer

Støttelinjer, or “support lines,” is a term used across several disciplines to describe lines that function as support, reference, or alignment aids. The word combines støtte (support) and linje (line), highlighting that the line marks where something rests, aligns, or is anchored, rather than being a solid structural element itself.

In engineering and architecture, støttelinjer appear in drawings and models to indicate where loads, floors, or beams transfer to supports such as foundations, columns, or bearing walls. They help planners verify spacing, load paths, and contact points, and are often drawn as dashed or lighter lines to distinguish them from primary structural elements.

In technical drawing and computer-aided design, støttelinjer act as construction or guideline lines used to position features accurately. They provide a temporary scaffold for constructing geometry and are typically intended to be erased or suppressed in the final rendering.

In art and design, støttelinjer serve as construction lines that establish proportions, alignment, and perspective. They guide the placement of forms and are usually faint, intended to be removed after the final drawing or composition is completed.

Other fields, such as surveying and cartography, use reference or baseline lines as anchors to transfer measurements between plans and real-world coordinates, ensuring consistency across mappings and datasets.

Related terms include construction lines, reference lines, baseline, and alignment guides, which describe similar concepts in different contexts. Overall, støttelinjer are auxiliary lines that support accurate representation, measurement, and placement without constituting the final elements themselves.