Final answer:
Contour lines are used in art and design to define the shape and outline of objects. Omitting certain letters and numbers in title blocks, NTS drawings, gridline systems, and contour lines is done to avoid confusion and misinterpretation.
Step-by-step explanation:
In art and design, contour lines are used to define the shape and outline of objects. They are commonly used in woodblock prints, like Albrecht Dürer's The Four Horsemen from The Apocalypse, to mark the outside edges of the elements in the image. These contour lines help create a visual representation of the objects in the artwork. The purpose of omitting certain letters and numbers, like I, O, Q, 1, and 0, from title blocks, NTS drawings, gridline systems, and contour lines is to avoid any confusion or misinterpretation due to their similarities with other characters or numerals.