How to Put Type in Perspective in Adobe Illustrator

The Perspective Grid tools in Illustrator allows you to create three-dimensional looking art to represent what would be see by the human eye in an environmental setting, such as signage on a building. This tutorial will show how to control the grid, then add basic shape and text.

1. To activate the grid, go to View > Perspective Grid > Show Grid.
2. There are two tools for working in perspective, the Perspective Grid tool and the Perspective Selection tool. Choose the Perspective Grid Tool.
3. Now let's look at the grid itself. Zoom out (Ctrl+-) so you can see the entire width of the grid, and take a look at the various handles and widgets within the grid:

   A. Plane Selector

   B. Left Vanishing Point

   C. Vertical Grid Extent

   D. Right Vanishing Point

   E. Horizon Level

   F. Ground Level

4. Additional grid options are available by going to View > Perspective Grid > Define Grid
5. Select the Rectangle Tool, then click the right plane in the Plane Selector widget so it turns orange.
6. Draw a rectangle that fills the right plane of the grid on the artboard, then click the left plane in the Plane Selector widget so it turns blue and create another rectangle to fill the left plane on the artboard.
7. To resize or reposition objects within the grid, switch to the Perspective Selection Tool [ ].
8. Switch to the Type Tool. Create and style your text anywhere outside the grid area.
9. Switch to the Perspective Selection Tool. Select the plane you want in the Plane Selector, then drag the text frame into the grid plane.
10. Hide the grid by pressing Ctrl+ Shift+I.
11. Effect such as drop shadows can still be added to objects in perspective.