The best way to use the perspective tools is with keyboard shortcuts. Tapping the 3 key while you have your type selected with the perspective selection tool (click and hold on the perspective tool in the tool panel to reveal) will shift you to the orange face of the perspective grid. The 2 key will take you to the green face and the 1 key will take you back to the blue face.
You can also use the little widget in the upper left of the screen to switch to the different perspective faces.
Hope that helps
Michael
North America
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Asia Pacific