User Guide Cancel

Create and edit perspective grid

Search
Illustrator

Illustrator

Open on web
  1. Illustrator User Guide
  2. Get to know Illustrator
    1. Introduction to Illustrator
      1. What's new in Illustrator
      2. Common questions
      3. Illustrator system requirements
      4. Illustrator for Apple silicon
      5. GPU performance
    2. Workspace
      1. Workspace basics
      2. Create documents
      3. Learn faster with the Illustrator Discover panel
      4. Accelerate workflows using the Contextual Task Bar
      5. Toolbar
      6. Default keyboard shortcuts
      7. Customize keyboard shortcuts
      8. Introduction to artboards
      9. Manage artboards
      10. Customize the workspace
      11. Properties panel
      12. Set preferences
      13. Touch Workspace
      14. Microsoft Surface Dial support in Illustrator
      15. Undo edits and manage design history
      16. Rotate view
      17. Rulers, grids, and guides
      18. Accessibility in Illustrator
      19. View artwork
      20. Use the Touch Bar with Illustrator
      21. Files and templates
    3. Tools in Illustrator
      1. Tools at a glance
      2. Select tools
        1. Selection
        2. Direct Selection
        3. Group Selection
        4. Magic Wand
        5. Lasso
        6. Artboard
      3. Navigate tools
        1. Hand
        2. Rotate View
        3. Zoom
      4. Paint tools
        1. Gradient
        2. Mesh
        3. Shape Builder
      5. Text tools
        1. Type
        2. Type on a Path
        3. Vertical Type
      6. Draw tools
        1. Pen
        2. Add Anchor Point
        3. Delete Anchor Point
        4. Anchor Point
        5. Curvature
        6. Line Segment
        7. Rectangle
        8. Rounded Rectangle
        9. Ellipse
        10. Polygon
        11. Star
        12. Paintbrush
        13. Blob Brush
        14. Pencil
        15. Shaper
        16. Slice
      7. Modify tools
        1. Rotate
        2. Reflect
        3. Scale
        4. Shear
        5. Width
        6. Free Transform
        7. Eyedropper
        8. Blend
        9. Eraser
        10. Scissors
        11. Dimension
    4. Generative AI (not available in mainland China)
      1. Generate scenes, subjects, and icons using text prompts
      2. Generate vector patterns using text prompts
      3. Generate vector shape fills using text prompts
      4. Recolor your artwork using text prompts
    5. Quick actions
      1. Retro text
      2. Neon glow text
      3. Old school text
      4. Recolor
      5. Convert sketch to vector
  3. Illustrator on the web (beta)
    1. Illustrator on the web (beta) overview
    2. Illustrator on the web (beta) FAQ
    3. Troubleshooting issues FAQ
    4. Keyboard shortcuts for Illustrator on the web (beta)
    5. Create and combine shapes on the web
    6. Add and edit text on the web
    7. Apply colors and gradients on the web
    8. Draw and edit paths on the web
    9. Work with cloud documents on the web
    10. Invite collaborators to edit on the web
  4. Illustrator on the iPad
    1. Introduction to Illustrator on the iPad
      1. Illustrator on the iPad overview
      2. Illustrator on the iPad FAQs
      3. System requirements | Illustrator on the iPad
      4. What you can or cannot do on Illustrator on the iPad
    2. Workspace
      1. Illustrator on the iPad workspace
      2. Touch shortcuts and gestures
      3. Keyboard shortcuts for Illustrator on the iPad
      4. Manage your app settings
    3. Documents
      1. Work with documents in Illustrator on the iPad
      2. Import Photoshop and Fresco documents
    4. Select and arrange objects
      1. Create repeat objects
      2. Blend objects
    5. Drawing
      1. Draw and edit paths
      2. Draw and edit shapes
    6. Type
      1. Work with type and fonts
      2. Create text designs along a path
      3. Add your own fonts
    7. Work with images
      1. Vectorize raster images
    8. Color
      1. Apply colors and gradients
  5. Cloud documents
    1. Basics
      1. Work with Illustrator cloud documents
      2. Share and collaborate on Illustrator cloud documents
      3. Share documents for review
      4. Upgrade cloud storage for Adobe Illustrator
      5. Illustrator cloud documents | Common questions
    2. Troubleshooting
      1. Troubleshoot create or save issues for Illustrator cloud documents
      2. Troubleshoot Illustrator cloud documents issues
  6. Add and edit content
    1. Drawing
      1. Drawing basics
      2. Edit paths
      3. Draw pixel-perfect art
      4. Draw with the Pen, Curvature, or Pencil tool
      5. Draw simple lines and shapes
      6. Draw rectangular and polar grids
      7. Draw and edit flares
      8. Trace images
      9. Simplify a path
      10. Symbolism tools and symbol sets
      11. Adjust path segments
      12. Design a flower in 5 easy steps
      13. Create and edit a perspective grid
      14. Draw and modify objects on a perspective grid
      15. Use objects as symbols for repeat use
      16. Draw pixel-aligned paths for web workflows
    2. Measurement
      1. Measure and plot dimensions
    3. 3D objects and materials
      1. About 3D effects in Illustrator
      2. Create 3D graphics
      3. Map artwork over 3D objects
      4. Create 3D Text
      5. Create 3D objects
    4. Color
      1. About color
      2. Select colors
      3. Use and create swatches
      4. Adjust colors
      5. Use the Adobe Color Themes panel
      6. Color groups (harmonies)
      7. Color Themes panel
      8. Recolor your artwork
    5. Painting
      1. About painting
      2. Paint with fills and strokes
      3. Live Paint groups
      4. Gradients
      5. Brushes
      6. Transparency and blending modes
      7. Apply stroke on an object
      8. Create and edit patterns
      9. Meshes
      10. Patterns
    6. Select and arrange objects
      1. Select objects
      2. Layers
      3. Expand, group, and ungroup objects
      4. Move, align, and distribute objects
      5. Align, arrange, and move objects on a path
      6. Snap objects to glyph
      7. Snap objects to Japanese glyph
      8. Stack objects    
      9. Lock, hide, and delete objects
      10. Copy and duplicate objects
      11. Rotate and reflect objects
      12. Intertwine objects
      13. Create realistic art mockups
    7. Reshape objects
      1. Crop images
      2. Transform objects
      3. Combine objects
      4. Cut, divide, and trim objects
      5. Puppet Warp
      6. Scale, shear, and distort objects
      7. Blend objects
      8. Reshape using envelopes
      9. Reshape objects with effects
      10. Build new shapes with Shaper and Shape Builder tools
      11. Work with Live Corners
      12. Enhanced reshape workflows with touch support
      13. Edit clipping masks
      14. Live shapes
      15. Create shapes using the Shape Builder tool
      16. Global editing
    8. Type
      1. Add text and work with type objects
      2. Reflow Viewer
      3. Create bulleted and numbered lists
      4. Manage text area
      5. Fonts and typography
      6. Convert text within images into editable text
      7. Add basic formatting to text
      8. Add advanced formatting to text
      9. Import and export text
      10. Format paragraphs
      11. Special characters
      12. Create type on a path
      13. Character and paragraph styles
      14. Tabs
      15. Find missing fonts (Typekit workflow)
      16. Arabic and Hebrew type
      17. Fonts | FAQ and troubleshooting tips
      18. Creative typography designs
      19. Scale and rotate type
      20. Line and character spacing
      21. Hyphenation and line breaks
      22. Spelling and language dictionaries
      23. Format Asian characters
      24. Composers for Asian scripts
      25. Create text designs with blend objects
      26. Create a text poster using Image Trace
    9. Create special effects
      1. Work with effects
      2. Graphic styles
      3. Appearance attributes
      4. Create sketches and mosaics
      5. Drop shadows, glows, and feathering
      6. Summary of effects
    10. Web graphics
      1. Best practices for creating web graphics
      2. Graphs
      3. SVG
      4. Slices and image maps
  7. Import, export, and save
    1. Import
      1. Place multiple files
      2. Manage linked and embedded files
      3. Links information
      4. Unembed images
      5. Import artwork from Photoshop
      6. Import bitmap images
      7. Import Adobe PDF files
      8. Import EPS, DCS, and AutoCAD files
    2. Creative Cloud Libraries in Illustrator 
      1. Creative Cloud Libraries in Illustrator
    3. Save and export
      1. Save artwork
      2. Export artwork
      3. Create Adobe PDF files
      4. Adobe PDF options
      5. Use Illustrator artwork in Photoshop
      6. Collect assets and export in batches
      7. Package files
      8. Extract CSS | Illustrator CC
      9. Document info panel
  8. Printing
    1. Prepare for printing
      1. Set up documents for printing
      2. Change the page size and orientation
      3. Specify crop marks for trimming or aligning
      4. Get started with large canvas
    2. Printing
      1. Overprint
      2. Print with color management
      3. PostScript printing
      4. Print presets
      5. Printer's marks and bleeds
      6. Print and save transparent artwork
      7. Trapping
      8. Print color separations
      9. Print gradients, meshes, and color blends
      10. White Overprint
  9. Automate tasks
    1. Data merge using the Variables panel
    2. Automation with scripts
    3. Automation with actions
  10. Troubleshooting 
    1. Fixed issues
    2. Known issues
    3. Crash issues
    4. Recover files after crash
    5. Safe mode
    6. File issues
    7. Supported file formats
    8. GPU device driver issues
    9. Wacom device issues
    10. DLL file issues
    11. Memory issues
    12. Preferences file issues
    13. Font issues
    14. Printer issues
    15. Share crash report with Adobe
    16. Improve Illustrator performance

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

  Explore the beta app

 Build 3D artwork in Project Neo (Beta) and bring it to Illustrator to create stunning dimensional designs, graphics, and illustrations.

Get started

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.

one-point, two-point, and three-point perspectives.

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 + P to 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.

Each component in the perspective grid is displayed in the image with call outs for Plane Switching widget B. Perspective Grid Ruler C. Right Vanishing Point D. Horizon Level E. Grid Cell Size F. Ground Level G. Right, Horizontal, and Left Grid Plane controls H. Origin I. Extent of Grid J. Horizon Height in the Perspective Grid.
Modify the points and widgets in the perspective grid.

A. Plane Switching widget B. Perspective Grid Ruler C. Right Vanishing Point D. Horizon Level E. Grid Cell Size F. Ground Level G. Right, Horizontal, and Left Grid Plane Controls H. Origin I. Extent of Grid J. Horizon Height 

Use the plane switching widget

A Plane Switching widget   appears 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 grid is visible. 

  1. Double-click the Perspective Grid   tool.

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

    • Show Active Plane Widget: displays the Plane Switching widget when the checkbox is selected.
    • Widget Position: places the Plane 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. Select View > Perspective Grid > Define Grid.

  2. In the Define Perspective Grid dialog box, you can update the following attributes for a preset:

    Preset

    Select Custom from 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.
    Moving the right vanishing point in a two-point perspective grid
    Add grid presets

Manage grid presets

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

  1. Select Edit > Perspective Grid Presets.

  2. In the Perspective Grid dialog 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.

Move the perspective grid

  1. Hover over the Ground Level point of the grid until the pointer changes to . 

  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 . 

  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 to .

  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  or .

  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.

Adjust grid cell size

  1. Hover over the Grid Cell Size widget until the pointer changes to .

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

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

Adjust grid extent

  1. Hover over the Grid Extent widget until the pointer changes to .

  2. Drag the widget to increase or decrease the vertical grid extent or define 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 to . You can drag the Origin to view the Station point.
  • When you shift the Origin, 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

Select View > Perspective Grid to 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. Select View > Perspective Grid > Save Grid as a Preset to use it anytime.

Talk to us

If you have a question to ask or an idea to share, come and participate in Adobe Illustrator Community. We'd love to hear from you.

More like this

Get help faster and easier

New user?

Quick links

View all your plans Manage your plans
View quick links
Hide quick links

Legal Notices    |    Online Privacy Policy