calque
Page approvedn. m. · tracing paper (UK) · trace (US) · layer (computer-aided drawing)
Definition
Papier translucide posé sur un plan pour le redessiner ou le corriger sans l'abîmer. Par extension, en dessin assisté par ordinateur, un calque est une couche du dessin que l'on peut afficher, masquer ou geler.
Translucent paper laid over a drawing to redraw or correct it without damaging it. By extension, in computer-aided drawing, a calque is a layer of the drawing that can be shown, hidden or frozen.
Example sentences
Written (email, official document)
FRLes cotes sont portées sur un calque distinct, que l'on peut désactiver à l'impression.
ENDimensions are placed on a separate layer, which can be turned off when printing.
Spoken (standard)
FRPasse-moi un calque, je repasse ton plan à la main.
ENPass me some tracing paper, I'll go over your plan by hand.
Spoken (informal)
FRQuelqu'un a gelé le calque des cotes, je ne vois plus rien.
ENSomebody froze the dimensions layer, I can't see anything anymore.
Spoken (informal)
FRCe calque AutoCAD fait tout bugger !
ENThis AutoCAD layer is making everything crash!
Nuances and pitfalls
One word, two senses. The calque (n. m.) is both the translucent paper and the layer of a drawing file. You say mettre sur un calque (put on a layer), geler (freeze) or désactiver un calque (turn a layer off).
A paper tradition. Before computers, calques were laid over one another to correct a plan or rework a sketch: the expression passer au calque keeps a trace of it.
Related terms
esquisseplan (dessin)Validation
- French term, register, FR sentences : ✓ validated
- US/UK equivalents and EN sentences : ✓ validated
Reviewed by Raphaël B. · 8 Oct 2026
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