Printable 3-Point Grid, Looking Down
From a balcony or a drone. Verticals converge to a nadir below the page.
What this grid is for
City streets from above, courtyards, rooftops, a character looking down a stairwell. The horizon sits high; the ground grid fills the page.
Three things to draw on it
A city block seen from a rooftop, a staircase seen from the landing above, a table with objects seen from a standing viewpoint close by.
Tips for this sheet
Verticals converge toward the bottom of the page; the horizon is high, so most of the sheet is ground. Objects far from the centre lean noticeably; that is correct, do not straighten them. If the terms are new, read how to draw 3-point perspective first; it uses the same camera settings as this template.
How to use it
Print the PDF at actual size and lay tracing paper or a thin sheet over it on a light pad, or use it directly and draw lightly so the printed lines do not fight your drawing. Each square is one metre on the ground; the eye level (the dashed horizon) is 1.6 m up, a standing adult. A door is about two squares tall, a person a little less, a car about four and a half squares long.
The verticals converge as well as the horizontals. Use the ochre lines for anything vertical and keep the horizon where the sheet puts it.
Want a different angle?
This sheet is fixed so that a class or a study group all works from the same grid. For any other rotation, lens or horizon, open the interactive three-point grid at these settings, adjust it, and export a PNG or SVG.
Questions
What is the difference between this sheet and the looking-up sheet?
The camera tilt: 28° down instead of 22° up. The horizon moves to the top of the frame, the third point sits below the page, and the ground plane dominates. Use it for bird's-eye and overhead shots.
How do I print it at the right size?
Download the PDF for your paper size and print at 100% ("Actual size"), not "Fit to page". The one-metre squares then keep their proportions. For the PNG, set the print dialog to the same paper size.
Can I use it in Procreate, Clip Studio or Photoshop?
Yes. Download the PNG at 150 or 300 DPI and import it as a layer, lower its opacity and lock it. For a transparent version with exactly your own angle and lens, use the interactive tool instead.
Is it free to use in a classroom?
Yes. Print as many as you need for students. A link back is appreciated but not required.
Can I change the angle of the 3-Point Grid, Looking Down?
This template is fixed so that everyone gets the same sheet. For other angles, lenses or horizon heights, open the matching interactive grid; it exports PNG and SVG at any setting.