The Perspective tool in Adobe Illustrator is a great way of creating amazing architectural images or streetscapes in realistic perspective. We show you how in our Illustrator training courses.
First create a new document, for example an A4 landscape. Then place a photo or drawing image via File > Place. Make sure you tick Template in order to be able to trace over the image. Note you now have two layers – a locked tracing layer with a drawing layer on top. Unlock the tracing layer to move or scale it, then then relock the layer.
Now select the Perspective Grid tool. Note that the bottom anchor point adjusts the position of the grid on the page. Move it to the left or right to match up with the centre of the image. Then adjust the left anchor point to match the horizon line, and move the top anchor point down to further adjust the grid to the image. Then the vanishing points at the side of the grid.
Now select any of the drawing tools and note the cube icon on the top left of the screen – this determines which plane you’re drawing on. Choose a plane, then draw a rectangle, for example. Then select the Perspective Move tool to move it around on that particular plane. You can also move it to another plane via the keyboard shortcuts of 1, 2 and 3. In the case of a building draw rectangles with a black stroke and no fill to create the walls and windows. You can also copy other features from another drawing.
In this way we can create buildings with windows and doors in perspective. Lastly, to hide the Perspective grid, keep the tool selected and click the close cross on the
top right View icon.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or self-taught, our courses will help you gain self-confidence in your Illustrator workflow, as well as adding to your professional skill-set. See many examples of our Illustrator clients’ work on our Facebook page.
Other related Illustrator Blog Posts:
Illustrator workspace
Illustrator basics
Illustrator clipping masks
Illustrator live trace
Illustrator brushes