---
title: "Texture Painter 2D View: Layer, Texture Map and What the AI Sees"
description: "The Texture Painter's 2D view shows the selected layer on the model, the selected layer flat, the unfolded texture map, exactly what the AI sees, and a running generation. How to open, resize and use each mode."
source: https://docs.3daistudio.com/textures/texture-painter/2d-view
---

# The 2D View

The Texture Painter's 2D view shows the selected layer on the model, the selected layer flat, the unfolded texture map, exactly what the AI sees, and a running generation. How to open, resize and use each mode.

[Open the Texture Painter](https://www.3daistudio.com/TexturePainter/app)

The 2D view sits next to the 3D view and shows one thing at a time: the selected layer on its own, the flat texture, or exactly what the AI will receive. Use it to judge a single layer, check an AI result before you reveal it, or line up a generation. This page explains each mode.

## Open, close and resize

- Click **2D view** at the right of the options bar, or press `\`. It is open by default.
- Close it with the **×** at its top right.
- Drag the divider between the 3D view and the 2D view to resize them. Double-click the divider to reset.

## Choose what the 2D view shows

Click the mode name at the top left of the 2D view to switch. **Follow what I'm doing** lets the 2D view switch on its own: for example, it shows the generation while one runs.

![The 2D view mode menu with On the model, Selected layer, Texture map, What the AI sees and Generation](https://docs.3daistudio.com/assets/images/docs/texture-painter/2d-view-modes-menu.webp)

*Show in the 2D view: the five modes and Follow what I'm doing.*

| Mode | Shows | Use it to |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **On the model** | The selected layer alone, on the model, turning with your view | Judge one layer without the others in the way |
| **Selected layer** | Only the selected layer, flat | Look at a layer's image; for AI layers, compare before and after |
| **Texture map** | Every visible layer, unfolded flat | Check the whole texture and its seams |
| **What the AI sees** | The picture the AI gets, kept up to date | Line up the view before you generate |
| **Generation** | The generation that is running, or the last one | Follow progress and cancel |

## On the model

The selected layer alone on the model, turning with your 3D view. Switch between **Alone** (the layer on a blank model) and **On the base** (the layer over the original texture) at the bottom right.

For an AI layer, the whole AI result shows here, including the parts you haven't revealed yet, so you can judge it before you paint it in. The 3D view shows only what you've revealed.

![The 2D view showing the selected AI layer on the wolf](https://docs.3daistudio.com/assets/images/docs/texture-painter/2d-on-the-model.webp)

*On the model, with an AI layer selected: the whole AI result is visible here even before you reveal it in 3D.*

## Selected layer

The selected layer, flat. For AI and decal layers the title reads **Generated image**: the image the AI returned, with a **Before** and **After** slider so you can compare it with the view it started from.

![The 2D view showing a generated image with a before and after slider](https://docs.3daistudio.com/assets/images/docs/texture-painter/2d-selected-layer.webp)

*Selected layer for an AI layer: drag the slider to compare before and after.*

## Texture map

All visible layers together, unfolded flat the way the texture is stored. Turn on **UV grid** to see the grid, and use **Zoom** (40 to 100%) to look closer.

![The unfolded texture map of the wolf](https://docs.3daistudio.com/assets/images/docs/texture-painter/2d-texture-map.webp)

*Texture map: the whole texture, unfolded.*

![The unfolded texture map with the UV grid](https://docs.3daistudio.com/assets/images/docs/texture-painter/2d-texture-map-uv-grid.webp)

*Texture map with the UV grid turned on.*

> [!NOTE]
> The texture map often looks like a scattered puzzle. That is normal: it is how the model's surface is unfolded. If the pieces are very small or stretched, painting can look blurry on the model. See [Tips and troubleshooting](https://docs.3daistudio.com/textures/texture-painter/troubleshooting#textures-look-stretched-or-have-seams).

## What the AI sees

Exactly the picture the AI receives when you generate, with its size (for example **Live · 2K**). It follows the 3D view as you turn the model, and updates by itself when you paint, change layers or adjustments, undo, load another model or change a setting. The gear (**Capture settings**) changes the picture size, the background and the floor grid.

With **All sides (360°)** on, it shows every angle the AI gets in one grid instead (for example **4 angles · 2K**). The angles go all the way around the model, so you don't need to turn it.

![The 2D view showing the AI capture of the wolf](https://docs.3daistudio.com/assets/images/docs/texture-painter/2d-what-the-ai-sees.webp)

*What the AI sees: move the model in 3D and this preview follows.*

## Generation

While a generation runs, this mode shows the model, the step it is on, the time left and a **Cancel** button. When it finishes, the result appears here.

![The 2D view showing a generation in progress with time left and Cancel](https://docs.3daistudio.com/assets/images/docs/texture-painter/2d-generation.webp)

*Generation: a running generation with its progress and Cancel.*

## The layer bar

At the bottom of the 2D view, the selected layer's row shows its eye, name, opacity and **⋯** menu, so you can adjust the layer you are looking at without going to **Layers**.

## Related

- [AI painting](https://docs.3daistudio.com/textures/texture-painter/ai-painting)
- [Layers](https://docs.3daistudio.com/textures/texture-painter/layers)
- [The workspace](https://docs.3daistudio.com/textures/texture-painter/workspace)

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Can I paint in the 2D view?

No. You paint in the 3D view; the 2D view is for looking at layers, the texture and what the AI sees.

### Why does the 2D view show an AI result that isn't on my model?

New AI layers start hidden on the model. The 2D view shows the whole result so you can judge it before you reveal it with the brush or **Apply with smooth edges**.

---

> Documentation index for AI agents: https://docs.3daistudio.com/llms.txt