sandr037

Over the years I have created quite a few one point perspectives. The following are samples of layouts, both hand and computer generated. Some illustrate an aspect of layout work, but most are simply here to show the range of projects that accommodate one point views.  This layout from the 1980’s shows a pedestrian way through the Harper and Row Headquarters Building in Manhattan. It is essentially an elevation with steps in the foreground, and a rectangular passage receding geometrically into the distance. It could have been worked out using a diagonal vanishing point alone, but was actually constructed from a measured plan which can be seem in light pencil under the passageway itself. The most difficult part was the lettering on the cylinder to the left of the opening, which was worked out by eye. This view of an office hallway at the General Reinsurance Headquarters in Manhattan was typical for sketches in the ‘80s. The plan can be seen at the bottom of the column, and the pict...

Distortion is the principal cause of sorrow in hand layouts. A simple mistake at the initial marking of horizon and vanishing points can cause havoc in the final product. The following examples apply to both the cube examples of the previous posts, and to any layout, whether by hand or computer. It is a mixed bag of tips, so forgive the lack of order. When creating a simple perspective using one point and a diagonal vanishing point, don’t stray far from the central point. The three cubes on the right are about as far from the central vanishing point as they can be. The cubes on the left are too far, and show some (or a lot of) distortion. Generally I try to stay within a circle whose center is the one point vanishing point, and whose radius is half way to the diagonal vanishing point. In hand layouts or computer rendering, the closer your eye is to the object the more it will be like a wide-angle lens (see the plan and perspective on the right above). Distortion will start to occur at...

Constructing a perspective of a free-form object, or a bunch of misaligned objects is trouble, and should be done in a computer with a CAD and rendering program. If however you have a design that is regular and rectilinear, there are simple rules that will get you there without a lot of work. A tiled floor of equal sized squares creates a repeating pattern across the width and depth of a room. But, it also creates a regular diagonal pattern which establishes vanishing points to the left and right of the centered one point vanishing point. If the grid consists of squares, then you have set up a diagonal system that can be used to establish any floor plan shape.  A grid of regular lines on an elevation can be used in the same way. In the photo above the grid is not made up of squares, so a number of diagonal vanishing points are possible. If you know the relative distances of vertical and horizontal spacing you can set up a measurable grid. In any case such a diagonal set of perspec...