When is a drawing referred to as an "elevation"?

A drawing is referred to as an "elevation" when it includes elevation references. An elevation drawing provides a two-dimensional view of the vertical dimensions of a structure, portraying how the building or object appears from a particular viewpoint, usually from the front, side, or back. These drawings show the height of various elements in relation to a defined baseline, which is typically ground level or another specified datum.

The elevation will include detailed elements such as windows, doors, and other architectural features, annotated with vertical measurements that indicate their height. This information is crucial for architects, builders, and inspectors as it provides a clear understanding of how the structure will look from multiple perspectives and helps ensure that heights and proportions will align with design intentions.

Other options do not define "elevation" accurately, as a top-down view describes a plan drawing, specific dimensions may apply to various drawing types, and three-dimensional models refer to visualizations that represent depth, height, and width, but do not specifically indicate elevation.