Final answer:
The characteristic contour shape of an object should be shown in a view that best represents its most defining features and true shape. Contour lines are used to depict this on a two-dimensional surface, which is crucial in fields like engineering, biology, and art.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristic contour shape of an object should be shown in the view that best represents the object’s most defining features. In engineering and technical drawing, this is often the view that reveals the object’s true shape without distortion, typically the orthographic view such as the front, top, or right side view depending on the object's geometry. Contour lines are critical in this aspect as they follow paths across a shape and distinguish changes in surface features, thus enabling the visualization of the object in three dimensions on a two-dimensional surface, as seen in topographical maps or engineering schematics.
In the case of representing objects that are considered approximately two-dimensional due to their thin spread on flat substrates, focusing on the two-dimensional contour r(s) that describes the cell boundary can be the most appropriate method. This technique is evident when analyzing cells in biology or when creating artwork where the contour lines outline figures and forms to create the illusion of shading and form, as seen in Albrecht Dürer’s woodblock prints. In order to depict three-dimensional form on a two-dimensional medium effectively, the view chosen must accurately represent the characteristic contour of the object, which also aids in analyzing shape and artistic representation.