Create and edit perspective grid (2024)

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Learn how to define and edit a perspective grid and modify its widgets and points to get started with perspective drawing in Illustrator.

From architecture and interior design to graphic design and illustration, the perspective grid guides you to accurately depict depth and spatial relationships.

In Illustrator, you can create and edit a perspective grid, define grid presets, and draw and edit objects on perspective. You can also choose the perspective you want to create.

Create and edit perspective grid (1)

One-point perspective

Lets you depict objects viewed from the front or behind. You can draw objects in parallel to give the illusion of objects receding into distance.

Two-point perspective

Lets you depict objects or designs viewed from a corner or at an angle, adding visual impact and complexity to the artwork.

Three-point perspective

Helps you convey the scale, proportions, and intricate details of architectural designs with precision, depth, and space.

Before you begin:

Define the perspective grid

Select the Perspective Grid tool or press Shift + Pto view the perspective grid in your Illustrator document. The tool allows you to choose the number of vanishing points, adjust the angle and position of the grid, and snap your artwork to the grid lines and vanishing points for precise placement.

Create and edit perspective grid (2)

A. Plane Switching widgetB. Perspective Grid RulerC. Right Vanishing PointD. Horizon LevelE. Grid Cell SizeF. Ground LevelG. Right, Horizontal, and Left Grid Plane ControlsH. OriginI. Extent of GridJ. Horizon Height

Use the plane switching widget

A Plane Switching widgetappears as you select the Perspective Grid tool. You can use this widget to select the active grid plane. In the perspective grid, an active plane is where you draw an object to project the observer’s view of that portion of the scene.You can set options to position the widget on any of the four screen corners and choose to display it when the perspective gridis visible.

  1. In the Perspective Grid Options dialog box, you can select the following options:

    • Show Active Plane Widget: displays the Plane Switching widgetwhen the checkbox is selected.
    • Widget Position: places thePlane Switching widget on the upper-left, upper-right, lower-left, or lower-right corner of the document window.
    • Automatic plane positioning: creates objects by inferring the height or depth of the object.

Define grid presets

  1. SelectView>Perspective Grid>Define Grid.

  2. In theDefine Perspective Griddialog box, you can update the following attributes for a preset:

    Preset

    SelectCustomfrom the drop-down menu.

    Type

    Select the type of grid based on the perspective you want to create.

    Units

    Specify the units to measure the grid size.

    Scale

    Set or customize the artboard and real-world measurements.

    Gridline every

    Specify the grid cell size.

    Viewing Angle

    Specify the positions of the left and right vanishing points from the observer.

    Viewing Distance

    Specify the distance between the observer and the scene.

    Horizon Height

    Specify the height of the horizon line from the ground level.

    Third Vanishing Point

    Select the three-point perspective to enable the option and specify the X and Y coordinates for the preset.

    Grid Color & Opacity

    Change the colors for the Left, Right, and Horizontal Grids. Use the slider to change the Opacity of the grid.

    Create and edit perspective grid (3)

Manage grid presets

Follow the steps to edit, remove, import, or export presets you've created:

  1. SelectEdit>Perspective Grid Presets.

  2. In the Perspective Griddialog box, select the preset you want to modify.

  3. Select the specific option to:

    Edit the selected preset.

    Remove the preset.

    Export

    Export the preset.

    Import

    Import a preset.

    Preset settings

    View the preset settings.

Modify the perspective grid

The perspective grid can be adjusted to match different perspectives, providing various viewpoints and compositions.
Using the respective widgets referenced in the image, you can manually adjust Vanishing Points, Grid Plane Controls, Horizon Height, and Grid Cell Size.

Note:

Ensure that the Perspective Grid tool is selected when moving or adjusting the points and widgets.The widgets are visible only with the tool selected.

  1. Hover over the Ground Level point of the grid until the pointer changes to Create and edit perspective grid (4).

  2. Drag the left or right Ground Level widget to move the grid.

Adjust vanishing points

  1. Hover over the Vanishing Points until the pointer changes to Create and edit perspective grid (5).

  2. Drag the Left or Right Vanishing Point widget. Press Shift as you drag to constrain the movement of the vertical axis.

Move the perspective grid and adjust the vanishing points

Adjust horizon height

  1. Hover over the Horizon Level until the pointer changes toCreate and edit perspective grid (6).

  2. Drag the widget to increase or decrease the height of the grid.

Adjust grid planes

  1. Hover over the Grid Plane controls until the pointer changes to Create and edit perspective grid (7)orCreate and edit perspective grid (8).

  2. Drag any of the Grid Plane Control widgets. Press Shift as you drag to constrain the movement to the extent of cell size.

Adjust horizon height and grid planes.

Adjustgrid cell size

  1. Hover over the Grid Cell Size widget until the pointer changes toCreate and edit perspective grid (9).

  2. Drag thewidget to increase or decrease the grid cell size.

    The number of grid cells reduces when you increase theGrid Cell Size.

Adjustgrid extent

  1. Hover over the Grid Extent widget until the pointer changes toCreate and edit perspective grid (10).

  2. Drag the widget to increase or decrease the vertical grid extent ordefine the extent of the grid on the planes.

Adjust grid cell size and grid extent

Note:

Gridlines are set to display onscreen when there's a one-pixel gap. Progressive zooming-in brings more gridlines that are closer to the Vanishing Point.

Tips and tricks on using the origin

  • When you hover over the Origin, the pointer changes toCreate and edit perspective grid (11). You candrag the Origin to view the Station point.
  • When you shift theOrigin, the x and y coordinates of the horizontal plane and the x coordinate of the vertical planes are affected.
  • When you select an object in perspective, the x and y coordinates displayed in the Transform and Info panels change as you shift the Origin.

Modify the perspective grid settings

SelectView > Perspective Gridto configure the following perspective grid settings:

Show Rulers

Shows the ruler division along the actual height line.

Snap to Grid

Allows snapping to gridlines while moving, scaling, and drawing objects in perspective or bringing them to perspective.

Lock Grid

Restricts the grid movement and grid editability when using the Perspective Grid tool. Only the visibility and the plane position can be changed.

Lock Station Point

Lets you move one Vanishing Point in sync with the other Vanishing Point.

Save the perspective grid

Once you've defined and adjusted the grid color, vanishing points, grid cell size, grid extent, and grid planes, you can save the perspective grid as a preset. SelectView > Perspective Grid > Save Grid as a Preset to use it anytime.

Talk to us

Create and edit perspective grid (12)

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More like this

Create and edit perspective grid (2024)

FAQs

How do you manipulate perspective grid in Illustrator? ›

The Perspective Grid Tool (Shift+p) allows interaction with the grid planes, cell size, and other aspects of the grid without affecting the artwork. The Perspective Selection Tool (Shift+v) allows interacting with shapes placed on the grid and keeps them in perspective when repositioning.

How to make a perspective drawing grid? ›

1. Set up a 2-point perspective grid on the canvas. This grid has a horizon line with two vanishing points anywhere along the line. Set your vanishing points fairly distant from each other for a more accurate view (you have quite a wide visual field, naturally), or fairly close to each other for a more distorted view.

How do I edit grid in AI? ›

Locate Grid Preferences: Within the Preferences menu, locate the “Guides & Grid” option. This section houses the settings for both guides and grids. Adjust Grid Options: In the Grid section, you'll find the “Grid line every” option. This is where you can specify the desired spacing between the gridlines.

How do you mess with perspective in Illustrator? ›

To distort a perspective in Adobe Illustrator, follow these steps:
  1. Select the object or artwork you want to distort.
  2. Go to “Object” > “Envelope Distort” > “Make with Warp.”
  3. In the Warp Options dialog box, choose the desired warp style that suits your perspective distortion needs, such as “Arc,” “Bulge,” or “Flag.”
Mar 7, 2024

How do you set up a grid method for drawing? ›

All we need is a grid, ruler and a pencil. The basic idea is that you divide your reference drawing up into equal squares. You then do the same on your drawing paper, only this time, you enlarge or reduce the size of the squares to contain the same amount of blocks as your reference drawing.

How do you put an object in perspective grid? ›

Drag and drop the object into the preferred location on the perspective grid using the Perspective Selection tool. Double-click the Perspective Selection tool to open the Perspective Grid Options dialog box and customize the tool's settings.

How to move perspective grid? ›

The Perspective Grid can be moved from one Artboard to another. Hover the Perspective Grid Tool over the Ground Plane widget, then drag.

How do you edit the grid in design? ›

Change layout grid settings
  1. Do any of the following: To change the layout grid settings for one spread or page, move to the spread you want to change or, select the spread or page in the Page panel. ...
  2. Choose Layout > Layout Grid, and change the settings.
  3. Click OK.
May 23, 2023

What is grid editing? ›

Let people edit data that your app displays. In Organizing with Grids, you learned how to lay out your app's interface using a grid of colored rectangles. In this sample, you'll create a similar grid interface populated with SF Symbols.

How do you scale up the perspective grid in Illustrator? ›

Use the perspective tool (Shift+P) and drag the anchor points on the perspective grid to move it and change it's size.

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