Layouts
The Layout section of the View tab controls how the workspace is arranged. Select a layout to position the 3D view and orthogonal slice views according to your workflow.
Default Layouts
Four layouts are directly accessible from the ribbon:
Conventional
The standard multi-panel arrangement:
- 3D view occupies the largest panel
- Sagittal, Coronal, and Axial views surround the 3D view
- Suitable for general-purpose analysis and navigation
3D Only
Maximizes the 3D view to fill the entire workspace:
- All slice views are hidden
- Use for presentations, 3D inspection, or when working exclusively with surface models
- Switch back to a multi-panel layout to restore slice views
Four Up
Quadrant layout with the 3D view in the upper-right:
- Upper-left: Sagittal view
- Lower-left: Coronal view
- Lower-right: Axial view
- Upper-right: 3D view
Provides equal visibility to all views with a balanced arrangement.
Four Down
Quadrant layout with the 3D view in the lower-right:
- Upper-left: Sagittal view
- Upper-right: Coronal view
- Lower-left: Axial view
- Lower-right: 3D view
Alternative arrangement when the lower-right position is preferred for the 3D view.
Extended Layouts
Click More in the Layout section to access additional layouts:
Four-Panel Variants
| Layout | Description |
|---|---|
| Four Up Left | 3D view in upper-left; slices in remaining quadrants |
| Four Down Left | 3D view in lower-left; slices in remaining quadrants |
Stacked Slice Layouts
| Layout | Description |
|---|---|
| Slice Views Right | 3D view on left; all three slice views stacked vertically on right |
| Slice Views Left | All three slice views stacked vertically on left; 3D view on right |
These layouts maximize the 3D view while keeping all slices accessible.
Slice-Only Layouts
| Layout | Description |
|---|---|
| Horizontal Slice Views Only | Three slice views arranged horizontally; no 3D view |
| Vertical Slice Views Only | Three slice views arranged vertically; no 3D view |
Use slice-only layouts for 2D-focused tasks such as manual segmentation or detailed slice inspection.
Single Slice Layouts
| Layout | Description |
|---|---|
| Sagittal Only | Full-screen Sagittal view |
| Coronal Only | Full-screen Coronal view |
| Axial Only | Full-screen Axial view |
Maximize a single slice view for focused examination or annotation.
Two-Panel Layouts
Combine one slice view with the 3D view:
| Layout | Description |
|---|---|
| Axial Left | Sagittal Right | Axial view on left; Sagittal view on right |
| Axial Left | Coronal Right | Axial view on left; Coronal view on right |
| Sagittal Left | 3D Right | Sagittal view on left; 3D view on right |
| Sagittal Right | 3D Left | 3D view on left; Sagittal view on right |
| Coronal Left | 3D Right | Coronal view on left; 3D view on right |
| Coronal Right | 3D Left | 3D view on left; Coronal view on right |
| Axial Left | 3D Right | Axial view on left; 3D view on right |
| Axial Right | 3D Left | 3D view on left; Axial view on right |
Two-panel layouts maximize both views while focusing on a specific anatomical plane.
Choosing the Right Layout
Consider the task at hand when selecting a layout:
| Task | Recommended Layout |
|---|---|
| General navigation and overview | Conventional, Four Up |
| 3D model inspection | 3D Only |
| Manual segmentation | Single Slice or Slice-Only layouts |
| Comparing slice and 3D | Two-Panel layouts |
| Side-by-side slice comparison | Axial Left | Sagittal Right |
| Presentations | 3D Only or Two-Panel |
You can change layouts at any time without affecting project data.
Common Workflows
Workflow: Switching to Segmentation Mode
- Open the View tab in the ribbon
- Click More in the Layout section
- Select Axial Only (Blue Slice Only) for maximum slice view area
- Alternatively, select Horizontal Slice Views Only to see all three slices
- Use this layout to focus on 2D editing tasks like manual segmentation
Workflow: Preparing a 3D Presentation
- Open the View tab in the ribbon
- Click 3D Only in the Layout section
- The 3D view expands to fill the entire workspace
- Use the Camera section to select a Standard View (e.g., Isometric)
- Adjust lighting if needed for better visualization
Workflow: Side-by-Side Slice and 3D Comparison
- Open the View tab in the ribbon
- Click More in the Layout section
- Select a two-panel layout (e.g., Axial Left | 3D Right)
- Navigate through slices on the left while viewing the 3D representation on the right
- Use the crosshair to correlate positions between views
Keyboard and Interaction Notes
- Layouts respond immediately when selected; no confirmation is required
- View cameras are preserved when switching layouts
- Double-click a view header (if available) to temporarily maximize that view; double-click again to restore
Layout names for slice views update based on the selected orientation preset. For example, in Medical orientations, views are labeled Sagittal, Coronal, and Axial; In Classic orientation, they may be labeled differently, such as Right, Front, and Top.