Chapter 40
Perspective Drawing
Techniques
Links for Chapter 40
Perspective Terms
Two-Point Perspective
One-Point Perspective
Perspectives with CADD
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Types of Perspective Drawings
• Three-point is used for tall structures with
many levels
• Two-point is used to present the exterior of a
structure, but can be used for interior designs
• One-point is used to show interior layout or
exterior views
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Perspective Terms
• Ground line (G.L.) represents the horizontal
surface at the base of the perspective
drawing
– Used to make vertical measurements
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Perspective Terms
• Station point (S.P.) is the position of the
observer’s eye
– Where all width measurements converge
– As the S.P. moves closer to picture plane the
width will become smaller
– Placed so the structure will be in a 30° cone
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Perspective Terms
SU R FA C E B
SU R FA C E B
B
S. P .
A
B
A
S. P .
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Perspective Terms
• Horizon line (H.L.) drawn parallel to the
ground line and represents the intersection
between the ground and sky
– Usually placed between 5’ and 6’ above the
ground line
– A high H.L. will appear as if you were looking
down on the structure
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Perspective Terms
• Vanishing points (V.P.) are placed on the
horizon line
– Placement of V.P. for a two-point perspective
will be determined by the station point and
angle of the floor plan
– All lines are drawn to the V.P.
– One or two V.P. are given
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STRU CTUR E T O
BE D RAWN
Perspective Terms
PICTU RE PL ANE ( P.P.)
LEFT
VANI SHIN G
POIN T
HORIZ ON LI NE (H .L.)
(L.V.P .)
RIGH T
VANI SHIN G
POIN T
(R.V.P .)
GROUN D LIN E ( G .L.)
STATI ON PO INT ( S.P.)
TW O- PO IN T PE RS PE CT IV E
ROO M T O
BE D RAWN
VANI SHIN G
POIN T
ST A TI O N
PO IN T
PI C TU R E
PL AN E
PICTU RE PL ANE ( P.P.)
HORIZ ON LI NE (H .L.)
(V.P.)
GROUN D LIN E ( G .L.)
GR OU ND
STATI ON PO INT ( S.P.)
ON E- PO IN T PE RS PE CT IV E
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Perspective Terms
L. V .P .
H. L .
L. V .P .
H. L .
R. V .P .
R. V .P .
L. V .P .
R. V .P .
GR O UN D L I NE
H. L .
GR O UN D L I NE
GR O UN D L I NE
TW O- PO IN T VA NI SH IN G PO IN T
V. P .
GR O UN D L I NE
V. P .
TH E V . P.
RE P RE S EN T S
TH E H O RI Z ON
LI N E
GR O UN D L I NE
V. P .
GR O UN D L I NE
ON E- PO IN T VA NI SH IN G PO IN T
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Perspective Terms
• Picture plane (P.P.) is the plane that the view
of the object is projected onto
– Represented by a horizontal line
– Parts above the P.P. will appear smaller and
those below will appear larger
– A surface rotated away from the P.P. will
become foreshortened in the perspective view
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Perspective Terms
P. P .
G. L .
S. P .
S. P .
B
A
TO TA L
WI DT H
B
A
TO TA L
WI DT H
S. P .
B
A
TO TA L
WI DT H
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Perspective Terms
AS TH I
IN C RE A
SI D E B
SH O RT E
S A NG L E I S
SE D , T HE
EC O ME S
R.
30 Þ
15 Þ
B
A
B
45 Þ
P. P .
B
A
A
G. L .
S. P .
S. P .
S. P .
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Perspective Terms
• True-height line (T.H.L.) is a line projected
from a point on the picture plane to establish
true height
– After being projected to the T.H.L. the line is
projected to the V.P.
• Experimenting with various line placements a
variety of effects can be created
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Perspective Terms
P. P .
ST EP 2 .
PR O JE C T H EI G HT
FR O M T .H . L.
TO TH E V . P.
STE P 1 . P R OJ E CT TR U E H EI G HT TO T. H .L .
H. L .
R. V .P .
L. V .P .
G. L .
S. P .
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Two-Point Perspective
• Begin by printing a floor plan and an
elevation
• Use paper about 4’ long and 2’ high
• Use colored pencils to assist in distinguishing
lines
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Two-Point Perspective
• Draw picture plane
• Tape floor plan at 30° to picture plane with
one corner on that line
• Draw cantilevers and roof outline on floor
plan
• Establish ground line greater than the height
of the structure
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Two-Point Perspective
• Tape elevation to the side of the drawing so
ground lines are aligned
• Establish true-height line
• Establish station point
• Establish horizon line
• Establish vanishing points
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Two-Point Perspective
• Project lines from roof corners down to the
station point, but stop line at picture plane
• Project these down from picture plane to
drawing area
• Project height of roof onto true-height line
• Project roof heights to vanishing points
• Complete roof layout
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Two-Point Perspective
• Project lines from each wall corner to station
point stopping at the picture plane
• Project these down from the picture plane to
the drawing area
• Plot outline of all windows and doors in a
different color
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One-Point Perspective
• Draw picture plane
• Tape floor plan at a larger scale to picture
plane
• Locate station point
• Establish ground line which will be the floor
• Establish ceiling heights up from floor
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One-Point Perspective
• Establish width of the drawing
• Establish the vanishing point
• Project corners to the vanishing point from
the elevation
• Project corners to the station point from the
plan view
• Lay out walls, floor, and ceiling
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One-Point Perspective
• Measure cabinet height on elevations and
project these to the true-height line
• Lay out the shape of the base cabinets
• Lay out the cabinets on the back wall
• Lay out upper cabinets
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One-Point Perspective
• Lay out cabinet widths and appliances from
station points onto the drawing
• Block out windows and doors
• Block out soffits, skylights, and other ceiling
items
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Perspectives with CADD
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Perspectives with CADD
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