Printable Fisheye 5-Point Grid
180° in one circle. Straight lines become arcs; four points on the rim, one in the middle.
What this grid is for
Wide interiors, cockpits, crowd scenes, dream sequences, anything a linear grid stretches into nonsense. The circle is the limit of a 180° view; everything inside is in front of you.
Three things to draw on it
A round room seen from the middle, a cockpit or a bridge with instruments curving around, a street where the buildings on both sides bow toward you.
Tips for this sheet
Only lines through the exact centre stay straight; every other straight edge is an arc. Draw the arcs by following the printed curves, not by eye. Keep the subject near the centre if it must look undistorted. If the terms are new, read curvilinear perspective explained 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.
Every straight line in the world is an arc on this sheet. Follow the curves when you draw walls and floors; only lines through the exact centre stay straight.
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 curvilinear grid at these settings, adjust it, and export a PNG or SVG.
Questions
Is a 5-point grid the same as a fisheye?
Yes: five-point perspective is the drawing name for a 180° fisheye view. The fifth point is the centre; the four others sit on the rim of the circle, up, down, left and right.
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 Fisheye 5-Point Grid?
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.