what process do you use to add perspective into your vector drawings?

**Clear80** · 11 August 2010, 05:19 PM

this got me thinking...
do you do it by eye, do you use perspective rules and draw out guides for each shape, do you do your perspective in another program and then import into xara? or do you use photos for reference?

**Soquili** · 11 August 2010, 05:25 PM

It depends on the drawing.

Mostly I do it by eye.

If the drawing requires more accuracy then I use perspective lines for reference.

**gwpriester** · 11 August 2010, 07:02 PM

Trying to do tradition perspective on the computer can drive you nuts. Because you need to have your vanishing point pretty far apart to get an accurate result without distortion. And drawing to and from these points requires a lot of zooming in and out.

You can set up different views (Window > New View) and then use Ctrl + Tab to toggle back and forth within the views.

What you can also do is to set up your basic sides, then create your drawing in 2D plan view and use the Mould Tool > Default Perspective Envelope to snap the 2D drawing onto the side.

Have a look at this Workbook. And this one.

**Clear80** · 11 August 2010, 07:22 PM

Originally Posted by gwpriester

Trying to do tradition perspective on the computer can drive you nuts. Because you need to have your vanishing point pretty far apart to get an accurate result without distortion. And drawing to and from these points requires a lot of zooming in and out.

You can set up different views (Window > New View) and then use Ctrl + Tab to toggle back and forth within the views.

What you can also do is to set up your basic sides, then create your drawing in 2D plan view and use the Mould Tool > Default Perspective Envelope to snap the 2D drawing onto the side.

Have a look at this Workbook. And this one.

i had a look at that tutorial but i confused what you mean. are you saying its best to 'forget' about doing traditional perspective in xara cause its too hard (too much zooming, not enough screen space) and use the mould tool to create perspective? can this effective? can you describe what you mean a bit better? what does views do and how would i use that in drawing perspective?

**Clear80** · 11 August 2010, 08:23 PM

Originally Posted by Soquili

It depends on the drawing.

Mostly I do it by eye.

If the drawing requires more accuracy then I use perspective lines for reference.

i think ive got the hang of 1 pt perspective now i think i could do it by eye now. im gonna try and post my results after

**Soquili** · 11 August 2010, 08:36 PM

Here are two examples of images created simply by eye.

**wizard509** · 13 August 2010, 02:19 AM

Originally Posted by gwpriester

Trying to do tradition perspective on the computer can drive you nuts. Because you need to have your vanishing point pretty far apart to get an accurate result without distortion. And drawing to and from these points requires a lot of zooming in and out.

You can set up different views (Window > New View) and then use Ctrl + Tab to toggle back and forth within the views.

What you can also do is to set up your basic sides, then create your drawing in 2D plan view and use the Mould Tool > Default Perspective Envelope to snap the 2D drawing onto the side.

Have a look at this Workbook. And this one.

I second that Gary. Doing traditional perspective on the computer is troublesome. Personally though I prefer it to envelopes because I have more flexibility and the envelopes only give one vanishing point and only work on one side at a time (basically a 1-point perspective). not that one couldn't do the other side as well and try to fit the two sides together, but, I have noticed that many people try that but don't keep both side vanishing points on the same horizon line. That is why I am struggling to do a tutorial to ground people in the basics of perspective so they can use the envelopes or other perspective tools with a bit of knowledge. As much as I love Xara it isn't the easiest program in which to do perspectives and wasn't intended to be. Spacing is another issue, and using the blend tool is so easy. But I wonder how many know how this works and should the need arise how to accomplish this without the aid of a computer.

**tonylondon** · 13 August 2010, 03:49 PM

In the XaraXone there is a detailed Guest Tutorial on the subject of perspective, which I did in 2002.

It is at www.xaraxone.com/guest/guest13/index.htm. (Not sure how to put a live link into this forum).

I don't think Xara have updated the perspective mould tool since then.

(Seems the live link works automatically - amazing!)