It's usually better for vertical and horizontal lines that are parallel to the edges of your canvas.Ī two-point perspective is better for content in the middle tapering to the sides whenever their limits are not visible. You can use a one-point perspective when the scene that you want to depict has content on both sides of the background in the depth. *EDIT: Here's an excellent article explaining the value and use of multiple vanishing points The real world is a messy mish-mash of vanishing points in all directions, so there is no reason to limit your drawing to just one type. You could theoretically use as many as your geometry requires. In fact, two-point perspective is nothing more than two one-point perspective points. For example, two star ships may be approaching from different origins (each requiring its own one-point perspective vanishing point), from over the horizon of a post apocalyptic city (the main horizon would need its own two-point vanishing point set, while the fallen and/or falling buildings may need individual two-point perspective vanishing point sets). I would say there is no reason not to use both methods in the same drawing if it helps achieve your goal. On the other hand, if you meant when to use one-point ' vs' two-point, then that's an entirely different answer. If you're having trouble imagining the correct lines for an object in 3D space, that's when you should pull out one of the point perspective methods. If you actually mean ' whether' to use one or two-point perspective, the only rule is that you should use it when it helps achieve your goals. These are not at all drawn accurately, just quick sketches to give you when to use one or the other So if you want to see a flat vertical plane then you're looking at 1pt perspective. If the object you're looking at rotates or the viewer is not looking straight at the object it can no longer be 1 pt perspective: Its basically about how far apart your Vanishing Points are, combined with what Joojaa mentioned in comments about the plane. They're very closely related and can intersect with each other. yet its actually in a way a 2-pt perspective - the other vanishing point is just so far away that it appears to be a 1-pt perspective: Notice the flat faces on the 1pt perspective. Here's another quick sketch showing how they differ. Likewise on an interior if you want to see flat sides such as the back wall or the profile of furniture you'd want 1-pt perspective: If you don't want that flat face then you're probably wanting to use two-point perspective: In general, if you want any of your vertical elements to be perpendicular to the Horizon line you would want to use a one-point perspective: One Point Perspective and Two Point Perspectives serve slightly different purposes.

Vray 3 rhino 2 point perspective