The primary way to create perspective lines in Adobe Illustrator is by using the Perspective Grid Tool. Here's a breakdown of how to use it:
1. Accessing the Perspective Grid Tools
- Locate the Perspective Grid Tool: In the Illustrator toolbar, find the Perspective Grid Tool. Its icon resembles a grid. You can activate it quickly by pressing Shift + P.
- Locate the Perspective Selection Tool: This tool is crucial for interacting with objects in perspective once the grid is active. It is located in the toolbar and can be activated with Shift + V.
2. Understanding the Perspective Grid
- Initial Grid Appearance: When you select the Perspective Grid Tool for the first time, a default two-point perspective grid appears in your document window. This grid comprises:
- Horizon Line: Represents eye level.
- Vanishing Points: Points on the horizon line where perspective lines converge. (By default, two vanishing points for two-point perspective)
- Grid Planes: Represent the ground plane, and vertical planes extending upwards from the ground. Illustrator defaults to showing the left and right planes.
- Control Widget: Located near the vanishing points, this widget allows you to choose which grid plane is active (left, right, or horizontal).
3. Adjusting the Perspective Grid
* **Moving Vanishing Points:** Click and drag the vanishing points to adjust the perspective. Moving them closer together creates a more dramatic perspective.
* **Moving the Horizon Line:** Click and drag the horizon line to change the viewer's eye level.
* **Changing Grid Extent:** Drag the handles on the grid planes to extend or contract the grid's size.
* **Cell Size:** You can adjust the grid cell size in the View menu under Perspective Grid. Choose "Grid Options" to customize cell size and the distance from the viewing point.
* **Presets:** Illustrator offers preset perspective grids (one-point, two-point, and three-point) under the View > Perspective Grid > [Preset Name] options.4. Drawing Objects in Perspective
* **Activate the Desired Grid Plane:** Use the Control Widget (near the vanishing points) or the Perspective Selection Tool (Shift + V) to select the left, right, or horizontal grid plane.
* **Draw with Shapes and Tools:** Use standard drawing tools (Rectangle Tool, Ellipse Tool, Pen Tool, etc.) to create shapes. When a grid plane is active, Illustrator will automatically constrain the shapes to the selected perspective plane.
* **Moving Objects in Perspective:** Use the Perspective Selection Tool (Shift + V) to move and transform objects within the perspective grid. This tool ensures that objects maintain their perspective alignment.
* **Copying and Pasting in Perspective:** You can copy and paste objects into the active perspective plane using Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + V (Paste in Place). Illustrator will automatically adjust the pasted object to match the perspective of the active plane.5. Disabling the Perspective Grid
- Go to View > Perspective Grid > Hide Grid. You can also use the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + I (Cmd + Shift + I on Mac). The grid disappears, but the perspective of any objects drawn within the grid is retained.
Example:
- Select the Perspective Grid Tool (Shift + P).
- Draw a rectangle while the left grid plane is active (indicated by the blue highlight in the control widget). The rectangle will now appear to recede into the left vanishing point.
- Select the right grid plane.
- Draw another rectangle. This one will recede toward the right vanishing point.
- Use the Perspective Selection Tool (Shift + V) to adjust the size and position of these rectangles while maintaining their perspective.
