# Orthographic Views

View your model in various orthographic views, including top, sides, and bottom.

![](https://193854745-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVWdttpiARClwDWoDArlA%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-02cae1f7994e6e3d2d9b3f1574f7e0d9d335b37d%2Finfotainment_2016_product_02.png?alt=media)

You'll find orthographic views in the View menu, by clicking the Orthographic icon in the floating navigation toolbar, or by using the shortcut V O. Click the Top View icon in the floating navigation toolbar to access several view options.

![](https://193854745-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVWdttpiARClwDWoDArlA%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-2db15c07dd8868778d818131a6f662593f5035f9%2Ffloating-nav_flyout-v2.png?alt=media)

**Some helpful hints when working with orthographic views:**

* When switching between orthographic views, FormIt will maintain the zoom level for consistency.
* When switching elevation views (front/right/left/back), FormIt will maintain the ground height for consistency.
* You can hold Shift while Panning in an orthographic view to lock the Pan movement to the horizontal or vertical axis.
* Orthographic view directions are based on the world axes. You can realign the axes, which will change the orientations of all the orthographic views:

  * Use shortcut SZ, or right-click in space (not over any geometry):

  <img src="https://193854745-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVWdttpiARClwDWoDArlA%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-fd76cd0b0dbcfcdf8fc2f55f335500dde8f0a4f3%2Fset-axes_context.PNG?alt=media" alt="" data-size="original">

  * Set the origin, and set the grip on the red axes to align it with a meaningful direction

  <img src="https://193854745-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVWdttpiARClwDWoDArlA%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-8da3a82c835d990e2ed4f525bc2ea563f89806dd%2Fset-axes.PNG?alt=media" alt="" data-size="original">

**Orthographic views work in conjunction with other FormIt features:**

* Save elevation views as Scenes so you can return to them later.
* Control visibility of geometry that might get in the way of elevation views using Layers.
* Add Section Planes to create section-elevations.