> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.clabassistant.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.clabassistant.com/manage-a-project/preview-tools.md).

# Preview Tools

The preview lets you inspect your pattern, compare pieces, and work with measurements. Available tools depend on your active subscription and the current project state.

## Navigate and arrange pieces

Use the mouse wheel or zoom buttons to change magnification. Hold **Space** and drag to pan.

* Press **A** to fit the pattern in view.
* Hover over a piece and press **Z** to zoom to that piece.
* Drag pieces to arrange them for inspection.
* Use the piece context menu to access available transformations, including horizontal and vertical flips.
* Press **Alt + X** to reset all piece positions.

The hint bar at the bottom of the preview shows the next action for the active tool.

## Right-click menus

Right-click an empty area of the preview to access **Zoom all**, **Reset zoom**, and **Reset piece positions**. The menu also provides **Editing mode** and **Grading mode** when available; their availability depends on your subscription and the current project state. In Grading mode, use **Exit grading mode** to leave it.

Right-click directly on a piece to access its available actions. Right-clicking empty space opens the general preview menu, even if a piece was previously hovered or selected.

While measuring, walking pieces, or editing geometry, the menu includes the corresponding **Exit** action. Available keyboard shortcuts appear beside the menu commands. In Grading mode, right-click a grading point to access its [grading actions](/size-grading/grading-rules.md#copy-and-paste-grading-rules).

## Choose what to display

Use the preview controls to show or hide measurement lines and labels, display full pieces, and access the available point labels and construction lines.

These controls help you focus on the geometry or information you need while reviewing the pattern.

## Measure in the preview

1. Select **Measure** in the preview toolbar.
2. Select the points or segments you want to measure, following the hint bar.
3. Read the result in the measurement panel.

Hold **Shift** while selecting points to add extra points. Use **Tab** or **Shift + Tab** to cycle nearby snap points. The measurement panel supports adding and subtracting measurements and applying a multiplication or division factor.

Press **X** to reset the current measurement points, or **Esc** to exit the tool.

## Edit pattern geometry

Open **Editing mode** to work with the available point and segment editing controls. Select the geometry to adjust, then use the editing panel and on-screen hints to make the change. Hold **Shift** to select multiple points. Enter the required movement in the panel and click **Apply**, or press **Enter**.

If you enter Editing mode without a target piece, hover over a piece to highlight it, then left-click to select it. Right-click opens the context menu without selecting the piece for editing.

Review the resulting shape before continuing. Editing controls are available when the project state allows changes.

## Walk pieces

Use **Walk pieces** from the piece context menu to compare pieces along their contours. Follow the preview hints to select and move along the relevant geometry. Use **Esc** to exit the tool.

## Download the preview

Select **Download preview SVG** to save the preview as an SVG file. For CAD pattern downloads, use [Generate Pattern](/getting-started/generate-pattern.md).

## Keyboard shortcuts

Press **Ctrl + Alt + 7** on Windows or **Cmd + Option + 7** on macOS to open the keyboard shortcuts reference. It groups shortcuts by tool and explains when each action is available.

For grading tools, see [Grading Rules](/size-grading/grading-rules.md).