I have diificulty reading drawings, my understanding is improving the more I look at them but I was wondering if anyone has any methods or tips that helped you when you started?

I find that the way most people are able to grasp the nuances of drawing interpretation is by redrawing it.  Sit down with a couple of drawings in your spare time in front of a computer and redraw the things.  You will gain a wealth of knowledge.

Glad Andrewmech you asked a question. that is the first tip.When in doubt ask? Do not assume,for in your later career,you might commit grave errors by wrongly interpreting drawings. Also study the drawings,by placing them on a large table,brightly lit and a lens to go with. I have made some mistakes for not following these tips.

As you are concerned with valves,these are pretty simple have some old drawings and place them against the valve(ball valve) and start reading the drawing,slowly you will begin to understand the details. I too learnt the very hard way.   

This is a can of worms! You didn't mention which side of the manufacturing process you are on.

You may be reading poorly drawn drawings. Today's manufacturers have little time allocated for proper drawings: the old 'draw it and get it out the door as fast as you can' mentality of apparant cost effectiveness creates ripples of confusion all the way down the manufacturer/installtion/application lines. Expert draghtsmen (women) are becoming a rarity, especially those with board experience.

You may have a spatial block on your thinking: can you visualize in 3D? Can you move, change, rotate your visualizations? Most people cannot; every expert designer and drafter can. In this case you might research improving your spatial skills, visualiztion and such.

It could just be experience: you have not had enough exposure to drawings and their real world results. If you have access to a shop, assembly plant or supplier plant then walk around (if allowed) and look at what the assemblers, fabricators or workers are producing from what drawings (examine both).

Modern schools of engineering place little emphasis on drawings yet they are the fundamental link between the mind of the designer and the the real world result. Overcomplicating drawings with useless information creates too many questions and so, confusion. Too little information has the same effect. Experience is the teacher here. If you have access to many drawings then start studying the older designs and their parts in hand (if available) and you will see the cause-effect at work (or not).

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