MODULE 3

Two-Point Perspective
OVERVIEW
This module introduces the basic principles and process of producing two- point perspective
for the common/ office method and the direct projection method. Two- point perspective
is the most widely used type of perspective compared to one-point and three–point. It
resembles how buildings are usually seen in actual and in photographs.

TWO-POINT PERSPECTIVES

The two-point perspective system assumes that the spectator’s central axis of vision is
horizontal and the picture plane is vertical. The principal vertical axis is parallel to the picture
plane and all lines parallel to it remains vertical and parallel in perspective drawing. The
principal axis which is horizontal, however, are oblique to the picture plane. All lines parallel
to this axis therefore appear to converge to two vanishing points on the horizon line, One set
to the left and the other to the right. These are the two points referred to in the two-point
perspective.

TOPIC LEARNING OUTCOMES

TLO 4: Create basic two-point perspective drawings using the common method.
TLO 5: Apply the principles of perspective plotting and architectural design in showcasing
building interiors and their elements.
TLO 6: Create basic two-point perspective drawings using the direct projection method.
TLO 7: Use the principles of perspective plotting in altered conditions of the perspective
setup.

CONTENT
1) Two-Point Perspective: Common / Office Method
2) Two-Point Perspective: Direct Projection Method

KEYWORDS & CONCEPTS

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READING REFERENCES
1) Ching, Francis D.K. (2010). “Design Drawing.” John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
2) Martin, C. Leslie. (1981). “Architectural Graphics,” 2nd Edition”, Macmillan Publishing
Co., Inc.
3) Yee, R. (2003). Architectural drawing a visual compendium of types and methods.
2nd edition, J. Wiley

Module 3 – Unit 1: One-Point Perspective: Common / Office Method

Engage: Review Common / Office Method

Before getting into the details of two-perspectives, ponder on these questions first.
• What is two-point perspective on your own understanding?
• What are the steps in one-point perspective common or office method?

Explore: Lecture on Two-point perspective - Common / Office Method

LECTURE NOTES
TWO-POINT PERSPECTIVES: COMMON / OFFICE METHOD

There are other methods of plotting two-point perspectives. This unit introduces the two-point
perspective by common/ office method. This method is the most popular and most widely
used method.

In this method, the plan view is needed as well as the established location of the different
elements needed in perspective drawing. The plan view is very important in drawing
perspectives using this method. It is convenient to have the elevation drawn on one side but
it is not necessary. Heights of points can be measured without drawing the elevation on one
side of the paper. However, it is advisable that you practice this method with an elevation
drawn on one side of the drawing paper (see Figure 4).

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 Figure 4

The process of doing the two-point perspective common method is presented in the
succeeding pages.

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Step 1:
Arrange the plan and locate the PP, SP, HL, GL, and locate the vanishing points for both left
and right sides (VPL and VPR). In the example above, the elevation is located below and to
the right of the plan. The SP and HL were also established already. The positions of these two
elements greatly affect the look of the perspective drawings (see lessons in Module 1). Note
that the picture plane is also given. For more information on how PP affects the perspective
drawing, see lesson in Module 1. Additionally, the elevation in two-point perspective
common method need not be drawn.
The vanishing points can be located by drawing lines from the SP until it intersects the PP in
plan view. The lines should be parallel to the position of the object in plan view. In the
example above, note that the angle “a” is the same as the angle “c” and “b’” is the same
with angle “d”. After locating the intersection with the picture plane (PP), draw a vertical
line until it intersects with the horizon line (HL) indicating the location of both vanishing points
(VP). Label both vanishing points left (VPL) and vanishing point right (VPR).

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Step 2:

Establish one or more vertical measuring lines (VML). These are lines that lie in the projection
plane (PP), therefore, they are used to show the true length of a line projected from the
elevation view. It is ideal to use parts of the object that directly lie in the projection plane as
the vertical measuring line (VML). However, there are instances that there are no parts /
points of the object that is directly on the projection plane (PP), the VML can then be
established by projecting the line of the point of the object following its inclination angle until
it intersects with the picture plane (PP), a VML can then be drawn vertically from the
intersection (see Step 4).

In the example above, the part of the object that lie on the PP was projected vertically until
it intersects the line indicating the height as derived from the elevation. The line projected
vertically is showing its true length since it is also a vertical measuring line (VML). The end
points of the projected vertical line can be projected either to the vanishing point left (VPL)
or vanishing point right (VPR).

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Step 3:

Locate all the points/lines to complete the perspective drawing. Points from the plan view
should be projected towards the station point (SP) first until it intersects the picture plane (PP).
The intersection point can be projected vertically until it intersects the lines projected
towards either of the vanishing points (VP). Complete the perspective drawing by
connecting the points. Horizontal lines in the plan view and elevation view converge to a
vanishing point (either VPL or VPR). Vertical line components of the object are parallel with
each other.

Note that in plotting perspectives, you are actually locating individual points from the object
both from the plan view and the elevation view. Therefore, you can assign labels to each
individual points in both plan view and elevation view for identification of their location in
the perspective drawing.

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Step 4:

There are instances wherein the height of a particular part of the object can be determined
through Vertical Measuring Lines (VML). In the example above, the topmost part of the
object was plotted in the perspective drawing by plotting the location of ta point (point “x”)
using a VML.

In the example above, point “x” was projected to the picture plane (PP) following the
inclination angle of the line where it lies. From the intersection point in the picture plane, a
vertical line can be drawn. This line is a vertical measuring line (VML). Therefore, you can
transfer the height of point “x” from the elevation to the established VML by drawing a
horizontal line from the elevation until it intersects the established VML marking the location
of point “x” in the VML. From this intersection, a line can be drawn towards the vanishing
point left (VPL) until it intersects the vertical line indicating the position of point “x”. The other
parts of the topmost part of the object can be completed from there.

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Step 5:

Plot the remaining parts of the object. Note that as a way of checking the proper plotting of
points, the horizontal lines in the plan view and elevation view must converge to a vanishing
point (either VPL or VPR). Ensure that vertical line components of the object are parallel with
each other.

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Module 3 – Unit 2: Two-Point Perspective: Direct Projection Method

Engage: Review Two-point perspective and plotting perspectives

Before getting into the details of Direct Projection Method, ponder on these questions first.
• What is two-point perspective based from the previous unit?
• How is two-point perspective constructed in the previous unit?

Explore: Lecture on Two-point perspective - Direct Projection Method

LECTURE NOTES
TWO-POINT PERSPECTIVE: DIRECT PROJECTION METHOD

This method requires both plan and elevation view parallel to the picture plane for the
construction of the perspective view. The elevation can be constructed by using a 45 ° line
to transfer the lines and measurements from the plan view to elevation view (see Figure 5).
FIGURE 5

This method does not necessarily use vanishing points as compared to the common method.
Vanishing point can be used if desired. Also, the vanishing points can be used to check the
plotting of points and lines through the projection method. Exact direction of lines is of great
importance for true pictorial effect. Where the lines are not accurate surfaces may seem
warped or tilted.

The process of doing the two-point perspective direct projection method is presented in the
succeeding pages.

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Step 1:

Arrange the plans and locate the PP, SP, HL, and GL. The elevation is located below and to
the right of the plan. The SP and HL were also established already. The effect of these two
elements greatly affects the look of the perspective drawing (see lessons in Module 1). Note
that the picture plane is also given. For more information on how the PP affects the
perspective drawing, see lessons in Module 1. An oblique elevation view is a necessary
drawing for two-point perspective direct projection method.

Note that you will need two station points, one for the plan (station point plan (SPp) and one
station point for the elevation (SPe). The distance of the SPp from the object in plan view
must be the same as the distance of SPe from the object in elevation view. Also, SPe must
be located in the horizon line (HL) (See example above).

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Step 2:

Points of a line can be plotted in the perspective by projecting points from the plan view
towards SPp until it intersects with the Picture plane at plan (PPp). The same process goes for
the elevation, this time, using the SPe with Picture Plane at elevation (PPe). Draw a vertical
line from the intersection point in the PPp and horizontal line from the intersection point in
PPe. Their intersection point arks the location of the point in the perspective drawing.

In the example above, the points marking the line can be found in the PP. Therefore, the line
in the perspective drawing is showing its true length.

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Step 3:

Using the concept of the process explained in Step 2, plot the other points of the object. Use
SPp for plotting points of a line from plan view, and use SPe for plotting point of a line from
the elevation view. Connect the end points of the lines in the perspective drawing according
to the plan and elevation view of the object.

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Step 4:

Using the concept of the process explained in Step 2, plot the other points of the object.
Using SPp for plotting points of a line from the plan view, and SPe for plotting points of a line
from elevation view. Connect the end points of the lines in the perspective drawing
according to the plan and elevation view of the object.

Note that you can assign labels to the points for easier plotting. In the example above, point
“z” was assigned to a point in the topmost parts of the object.

In plotting perspectives, you are actually locating individual points from the object both from
the plan view and the elevation view. Therefore, you can assign labels to each individual
points in both plan view and elevation view for easier identification of their location in the
perspective drawing.

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Step 5 (Optional):

As a way of checking the plotted perspective drawing, you can extend the lines from the
horizontal elements of the perspective drawing and see if they converge to a vanishing
point.

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