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1Perspective Drawing

Rectilinear forms have three sets of parallel lines that show height, width and depth. This cube is color coded to show each set of parallel lines. There are many ways to draw 3D forms in 2D. This cube is shown in isometric projection. That mean that there is no dimensional distortion; there are no converging lines. This kind of drawing is often used for technical drawings.

The key to good perspective drawing in Illustrator is to properly set up your construction lines. In order to do this effectively, you will need to understand how each element relates to the others.

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1Perspective Drawing

In order for a drawing to convey a sense of depth, we need to use perspective. This is how the human eye perceives objects. Lines in a perspective drawing converge towards a common point. This Escher print uses three point perspective.

This is an example of one point perspective. Notice how two sets of lines are still parallel, but the set showing depth is converging towards a point on the Horizon line. These lines are built along guide lines that run from the foreground to the Vanishing Point.

Vanishing Point

HorizonLine

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1Perspective Drawing

In two point perspective, two sets of parallel lines run towards two separate Vanishing Points on the Horizon. Only one set of parallel lines remains. Notice that the vertical lines that indicate the object’s height get shorter the further away from the viewer they are. The closer the Vanishing Points, the more distortation there will be in the image.

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TopView

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Observer Distant

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Observer Position

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Cone of Focus

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Cone of Focus

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OBSERVER

PICTUREPLANE

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CONE OF FOCUS45º – 60º

CONE OF FOCUS45º – 60º

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Cone of Focus

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Cone of Focus

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Circles in Perspective

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Circles in Perspective

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MAJOR AXIS

MAJOR AXIS

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Circles in PerspectiveCircles in Perspective

horizontal plane vertical plane horizontal plane vertical plane

draw any perspective square draw any perspective square draw any perspective square; divide into 4 parts; locate mid points

draw any perspective square; divide into 4 parts; locate mid points

locate center and 4 mid points locate center and 4 mid points divide into 16 parts divide into 16 parts

perspective center

estimate somewhat 2/3distance from 0 to corner

estimate somewhat 2/3 distance from 0 to corner

locate 8 additional points using rectangle diagonals

locate 8 additional points using rectangle diagonals

draw ellipseminor axis coincides

draw ellipseminor axis coincides

8 point 12 point

1

1 1=2 1=2 1=2

4 3

2

21 2

1

2

1=2

1

2