> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.rayon.design/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.rayon.design/documentation/layout-and-present/views.md).

# Views

Creating windows to reference your drawings.

Here is all you need to know about **creating** and **using views.**

### **What is a view?**

A view is **a window onto a canvas of a model.** In other words, using views helps create a duplicate representation of your work. Views are the best way to create as many references to an existing drawing as you would like, which can then be used, for instance, in page layouts or as a drawing underlay.

Notably, views display 3 main characteristics:

* Views are **updated**: any changes to the drawing the view represents will be immediately visible from the view itself.
* Views can be **edited**: the **size**, **crop** and **scale** of a view can be changed.
* Views can be **overridden**: the **style, text,** and **visibility** of things displayed in a view can be changed to diverge from its initial aspect.

<figure><img src="https://2112124689-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FngVHKyaUSSJPTFck3wkz%2Fuploads%2FYaozFg5gKQ6xxVieNihh%2FFrame%201822%20(1).png?alt=media&#x26;token=107e5a98-4e82-41ed-a5fb-7739384b7e8d" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### **Creating a view**

To create a view, head to the toolbar, in the layout section, where you will find the **`View`** tool.

<figure><img src="https://2112124689-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FngVHKyaUSSJPTFck3wkz%2Fuploads%2F7mjfmbB0RC6b3k9sozZp%2FFrame%201821%20(3).png?alt=media&#x26;token=9a365837-4bd9-44fc-a686-4411e0670e02" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

With this tool, a view can be created either within a canvas referencing itself, or onto a canvas referencing another canvas. In the video below, we demonstrate both possibilities.

Note that the **`Canvas`** property lets you choose the canvas that the view is referencing.

{% embed url="<https://player.vimeo.com/video/1178118120?autoplay=1&controls=0&loop=1&muted=1>" %}

Alternatively, views can be created from the **`Layer`** panel, under the **`+`** of the **`Layer`** section.\
The **`View`** option will allow you to choose a source canvas for your new view. Once clicked, a view will be created on the canvas currently displayed, referencing the canvas chosen in the dropdown.

<figure><img src="https://2112124689-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FngVHKyaUSSJPTFck3wkz%2Fuploads%2FHfFvaYWyihuCQ1QESEjr%2FFrame%201815%20(1).png?alt=media&#x26;token=501623a0-375e-48c2-a8f3-9997eee0aff3" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Editing a view

To edit a view, select it and click **`Edit`** in the selection bar (or **`CMD/CTRL`** + **`E`**).

There, **4 main aspects** of a view can be tuned:

* The view **`crop window`** can be resized by editing the view clipping path in the view edit mode. Alternatively, and to go faster, a view can be cropped by resizing it while holding **`CMD/CTRL`**.
* The view **`origin`** can be modified by either panning in the view, or editing the **`Origin X,Y`** values in the view properties.
* The view **`scale`** can be tuned by either zooming in the view, or editing the **`Scale`** value in the view properties.
* The view **`canvas`**, that is, the canvas the current view points to, can be swapped.

The **`origin`** and **`scale`** can be locked using the lock icons in the properties panel, preventing accidental changes.

{% embed url="<https://player.vimeo.com/video/1178117575?autoplay=1&controls=0&loop=1&muted=1>" %}

<figure><img src="https://2112124689-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FngVHKyaUSSJPTFck3wkz%2Fuploads%2FeNdvA9OIgVx4Zfn6Ow8j%2Fview_lock_zoom.png?alt=media&#x26;token=eb3ecc37-0b8a-4a0e-b50b-9c978f41c003" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Overriding a view

To override a view, select it and click **`Override`** in the selection bar (or **`CMD/CTRL`** + **`O`**).

#### **Visibility overrides**

The content of views can be hidden/shown by interacting with the layer/entity visibility settings, once in view **`Override`** mode.

{% embed url="<https://player.vimeo.com/video/1178117583?autoplay=1&controls=0&loop=1&muted=1>" %}

At any point, the visibility overrides you have created can be reset, either for the entire view or for a single entity/layer.

<figure><img src="https://2112124689-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FngVHKyaUSSJPTFck3wkz%2Fuploads%2FMKyg3CUaGmZ7Na2zL1Sq%2FFrame%201809.png?alt=media&#x26;token=4bf8dcd2-1f51-4646-9aec-e17b7db09e2b" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### **Style overrides**

The content of views can be restyled by interacting with the entities’ styles in the style panels, once in view **`Override`** mode.

{% embed url="<https://player.vimeo.com/video/1178117610?autoplay=1&controls=0&loop=1&muted=1>" %}

At any point, the style overrides you have created can be reset, either for the entire style, all styles at once, or for a single parameter of a style.

<figure><img src="https://2112124689-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FngVHKyaUSSJPTFck3wkz%2Fuploads%2Fn4icgvuFMuQn5b38bLE7%2FFrame%201810.png?alt=media&#x26;token=8b230fd0-ecdc-4aee-8101-e1a592da99d3" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

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