There are several ways to draw an octagon. Here is a way to do so on a drafting board:
- First draw a circle with a diameter the same as the width of the octagon.
- Second use the T-square to draw two horizontal lines touching the top and bottom of the circle.
- Third use the right triangle to draw two vertical lines touching the right and left of the circle.
- And finally use the right triangle again to draw four lines touching the four "corners of the circle.
The octagon is now made. Or you could do the same sort of thing by drawing a horizontal line, cross it with a vertical line then draw two 45 degree lines through their intersection. Then use a compass to mark equally spaced marks on each line, from the mid point, and draw lines like above. A third method is:
- Draw a square in the size of desired octagon and draw 2 diagonals through the middle (forms an X)
- Place a ruler from the crossing point to one corner and make a mark.
- Than place (turn) ruler parallel to the edge and make a mark of the previous measurement
- Repeat for each of the lines starting from the center of X and for both sides. It should give 8 marks in total. (4lines x 2 directions)
- Draw line between marks closest to each corner, forming triangles.
