Vanishing Point Tools

To use these tools, you set the vanishing points with the Vanishing Point Tools.

The vanishing points are 'named' the Left Vanishing Point, Right Vanishing Point and Bottom Vanishing Point, without regard to where they are located.

In the dialog for the vanishing point tools, you set whether the PerpectiveTools palette operates in one-, two-, or three-point perspective.

Left Vanishing Point tool

One-point perspective uses the Left Vanishing Point.

Left and Right Vanishing Point tools

Two-point perspective uses the Left and Right Vanishing Points.

Left, Right and Bottom Vanishing Point tools

Three-point perspective uses all three vanishing points.

You may use these tools to set the vanishing points at any time, and you may set any of the three vanishing points, even if you are not using them in the current perspective drawing mode. In other words, you may set the Bottom Vanishing Point, even if you are in one-point perspective mode, which does not use that vanishing point.

The vanishing points may be off the page. They are stored in your drawing, but they are not visible objects.

To set a vanishing point, select the appropriate vanishing point tool:

(1) Click on a line and drag to a second line to set the vanishing point at the intersection of the two lines. This action is identical to the WildTools Trim tool or the Intersection Points tool.

--or--

(2) Hold down the Option key and click on a line or point with the Picklefork cursor. If you click on a line, the starting point of the line will be used for the vanishing point. This is to make it possible to leave lines in the drawing which extend from a vanishing point, which may be off-page.

--or--

(3) Move the cursor over an existing vanishing point, click and drag the vanishing point to a new location. You may move any of the vanishing points with any of the three tools. In three-point perspectives, the vertical vanishing point is constrained to a move that is perpendicular from the horizon, however you may press the Shift key to move the vertical vanishing point left or right.

Once you have selected the vanishing points, and set the tools to one-, two-, or three-point perspective drawing, you may use any of the tools to draw in perspective. Because of the nature of perspective drawings, you cannot tab into the Edit Window with these tools.

Caution

All tools which work in the current perspective plane operate on the assumption that you will draw in a reasonable area relative to the vanishing points. This is particularly important in the case of three-point perspective where drawing outside the area bounded by the three vanishing point is really a matter of 'drawing behind your head'. Expect to see goofy geometry created if you do this, but the machine will not crash.

Setting the Station Point

The station point is shown in the display as an eye, and you can drag it by its handle. The station point is the location of the viewer's eye relative to the picture plane, and it defines angles within a perspective drawing. When you adjust the location of the station point, you are changing the display of a cube that might be drawn in perspective. We say again, the station point means definable angles in a perspective drawing.

The large circle shown in the display in the lens circle, which is where the cone of view hits the picture plane. You should plan your drawing within the lens circle for the least amount of distortion.

In one-point perspective, the station point is the distance of the viewer's eye to the picture plane. Drag the station point down to increase the distance from the picture plane, drag up to decrease the distance. You may tab into the Edit Window to set the distance to the picture plane.

In two-point perspective, the station point is defined by the plan angle and you can drag it along a semi-circle below or above the horizon line. You may tab into the Edit Window to set the plan angle.

In three-point perspective, the station point is defined by the location of the three vanishing points. You can move the station point by dragging it along the semi-circle below or above the horizon line. The vertical vanishing point is constrained to a move that is perpendicular from the horizon, however you may press the Shift key to move the vertical vanishing point left or right. You may also drag the point on the tip of the cube to change the perspective view.

Vanishing Point Dump

With any of the vanishing point tools, press Shift-Option and click in the drawing to place the current vanishing points in the drawing. The station point is shown with an eye, and the lens circle is a gray circle. The lens circle is created by the cone of view with the picture plane, and you should plan your drawing within the lens circle for the least amount of distortion.

Vanishing points, station point and lens circle. This example is for a two-point perspective drawing.