# Canvases

In Rayon, a canvas is **a 2D space to draw on**. The menu to manage canvases can be found in the **`Canvas`** section of the **`Layer`** panel.

<figure><img src="https://2112124689-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FngVHKyaUSSJPTFck3wkz%2Fuploads%2FwgFsRXJ4f14HgMyIT5e4%2FFrame%201823.png?alt=media&#x26;token=c1c168be-851c-44ae-9433-e859747b4396" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### **What is a canvas?**

A canvas is a space in a model where things can be drawn. A model can contain multiple canvases. A canvas carries its own settings (its units, its own active layer, its stroke scale and display settings) and its own entities (in the layer panel).

Canvases come in two different types: **`model`** canvases, and **`paper`** canvases.

* A **`model`** canvas is usually where you will draw your projects (buildings, floor plans, sections, etc). In a model canvas, the **`units`** are in *meters* or in *feet*, the **`Stroke scale`** is usually set at 1/40, and background is white.
* A **`paper`** canvas is usually where you will create your sheet layout. In a paper canvas, the **`units`** are in *centimeters* or in *inches*, while the **`Stroke scale`** is usually set at 1/1, so that the thickness of the things you see is the one you get when exporting your document set. In a paper canvas, the background is usually gray, while pages have a visible, white background.

{% embed url="<https://player.vimeo.com/video/1136430446?autoplay=1&controls=0&loop=1&muted=1>" %}

### Creating canvases

Both **`model`** and **`paper`** canvases can be created from the **`+`** of the layer panel. \
A canvas can be made active by simply clicking on it in the layer panel.

<figure><img src="https://2112124689-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FngVHKyaUSSJPTFck3wkz%2Fuploads%2FpKGpJwb3J7pT6cmoVGbe%2FFrame%201812%20(2).png?alt=media&#x26;token=5c38a549-868e-4904-a489-f22c695790fe" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Once in a canvas, the **canvas' settings** can be accessed from the right side of the screen.

<figure><img src="https://2112124689-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FngVHKyaUSSJPTFck3wkz%2Fuploads%2Ffc6M2SM5SsKvm8BndYyG%2FCanvas%20Setting%20(260301).png?alt=media&#x26;token=f85ed1ac-35ad-4ace-ad0d-7cd2b68f5c2b" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Using canvases with views

Canvases become especially useful when **used with views**; a drawing, made in a model canvas, can be turned into a professional-grade layout by creating a few views of it on a paper canvas.

More on this topic [in our view documentation.](https://docs.rayon.design/documentation/layout-and-present/views)

<div><figure><img src="https://2112124689-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FngVHKyaUSSJPTFck3wkz%2Fuploads%2F1AHCTo2cDIvqp6VClnuL%2Fscreenshot-2025-02-10-21-43-03%20(2).png?alt=media&#x26;token=60e4f8c3-24c3-4922-a529-67e223b5b766" alt=""><figcaption><p>Paper space, with model view</p></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="https://2112124689-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FngVHKyaUSSJPTFck3wkz%2Fuploads%2F2miydXXZV0hzq9nzOIm7%2Fscreenshot-2025-02-10-21-43-07%20(1).png?alt=media&#x26;token=8e1e9cb8-5c17-4855-bcee-84daf9a86e70" alt=""><figcaption><p>Model space</p></figcaption></figure></div>

### Tutorial

For more step-by-step information, watch our tutorial about how to use canvases and views in Rayon.

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwnY3nPwDNA>" %}

***

### We are always available

Book a demo with our team, [right here](https://b1kzip68v9f.typeform.com/to/Hgr0eQ4k#source=docs).\
To get some support, reach out to us through our **in-app support chat**. \
More about [our support policy right here](https://docs.rayon.design/other-resources/others/support).
