Worm's-eye skyscraper
Standing at the foot of a tower and looking up. Verticals rush toward a point above the frame.
mode 3 · horizon 85 · spacing 24 · aspect 3/4 · vps 0,85;100,85;50,-40
Open this grid3-Point Perspective Grid Generator
A free online three-point perspective grid for drawing buildings from below or above. It opens in a worm's-eye view; switch to bird's-eye with one click, drag the third vanishing point, and export the guide.
- Worm's-eye and bird's-eye presets
- Draggable third vanishing point
- Transparent PNG, SVG and PDF
Runs locally · No signup required
Drag the two handles on the horizon for the left and right faces, and the third handle for how steeply the verticals converge. Scroll to zoom out and reach points outside the canvas.
How to make a 3-point perspective grid
- Choose looking up or looking downStart from the worm's-eye or bird's-eye setup below. Looking up puts the horizon low and the third vanishing point above the canvas; looking down does the opposite.
- Place the two horizon pointsDrag the two handles on the horizon apart. They control the left and right faces of the building, exactly as in 2-point perspective.
- Move the third vanishing pointDrag the third handle up or down. The further away it is, the gentler the vertical convergence; bring it closer for a dramatic, towering effect.
- Export the gridExport a transparent PNG for a drawing layer, SVG for vector apps, or a PDF to print. Use Portrait aspect for tall buildings.
Looking up and looking down: ready-made setups
Each setup loads its exact parameters into the tool above. Tall subjects use the Portrait canvas.
Bird's-eye city block
Looking down on streets and rooftops from a drone or a high window. Verticals fall toward a point below.
mode 3 · horizon 15 · spacing 24 · vps 0,15;100,15;50,140
Open this gridGentle look up
A subtle third point far above the frame. Good when you want height without a fisheye feel.
mode 3 · horizon 70 · spacing 24 · vps -20,70;120,70;50,-50
Open this gridSteep aerial view
Nearly straight down onto a city or a crowd. The horizon sits at the very top of the canvas.
mode 3 · horizon 5 · spacing 20 · vps 10,5;90,5;50,110
Open this gridOff-centre tower
The building sits to one side of the frame, so the third point is shifted too. Feels more like a real photo.
mode 3 · horizon 85 · spacing 24 · aspect 3/4 · vps -10,85;90,85;35,-30
Open this gridHero shot from below
Character or monument seen from ground level, with tight spacing for detail.
mode 3 · horizon 92 · spacing 16 · vps -15,92;115,92;50,-20
Open this gridLooking up vs. looking down
| Worm's-eye (looking up) | Bird's-eye (looking down) | |
|---|---|---|
| Horizon | Low: 75–95% of the height | High: 5–25% of the height |
| Third vanishing point | Above the canvas (Y below 0) | Below the canvas (Y above 100) |
| What you see | Undersides, towering facades, sky | Rooftops, streets, ground plane |
| Common subjects | Skyscrapers, monuments, heroic characters | City maps, crowds, game levels |
Tip: in both cases the three vanishing points form a triangle. The centre of the picture should sit inside that triangle; if it does not, the view will look skewed.
FAQ
What is a 3-point perspective grid?
It is a 2-point grid with a third vanishing point above or below the horizon. Vertical edges converge toward that third point, which is what makes tall buildings look tall when you look up, or deep when you look down.
Where does the third vanishing point go for a worm's-eye view?
Above the subject, usually above the top of the canvas. In the tool its Y value is negative. Put the horizon low, around 80–90% of the canvas height.
Where does it go for a bird's-eye view?
Below the subject, usually below the bottom edge (Y above 100%). Raise the horizon toward the top of the canvas.
Why do my buildings look like they are falling over?
The third vanishing point is too close to the subject or not centred over it. Drag it further away, or line it up with the middle of the building.
Can I match a 3-point grid to a photo of a building?
Yes. Upload the photo, press "Match grid to photo" and drag the purple line pair onto two vertical edges of the building. The red and teal pairs go on the horizontal edges of each face.
Related grids and guides
2-point perspective grid
When verticals stay vertical: building corners, rooms and streets at eye level.
Perspective grid for buildings
Facades, street corners, skyscrapers and aerial city views as one-click setups.
Three-point perspective basics
Why verticals converge and how to construct a tower step by step.