---
title: 'Flexible Viewing Modes'
description: 'View your images your way with three optimized display modes. From cinematic single-column to dense 5×5 grid, plus iOS-style pinch gestures.'
icon: '👁️'
category: 'organization'
featured: false
available: true
comingSoon: false
benefits:
  - '3 viewing modes: Single, Grid 3×3, Grid 5×5'
  - 'iOS Photos-style pinch-to-zoom gesture'
  - 'Per-screen view preferences (Gallery vs Explore)'
  - 'Instant mode switching without reload'
  - 'Optimized thumbnails for each view'
  - 'Remembers your preferred view'
useCases:
  - 'Single mode for detailed image review'
  - 'Grid 3×3 for balanced browsing'
  - 'Grid 5×5 for maximum overview'
  - 'Pinch gesture for quick view changes'
  - 'Different modes for Gallery vs Explore'
language: 'en'
---

# View Your Way

Choose how you browse your creative library. Picture offers three optimized viewing modes plus intuitive pinch gestures, just like iOS Photos.

## Viewing Modes

### Single Column

**Immersive & Detailed**

- One large image per row
- Maximum image size
- Full prompt visible
- Detailed metadata shown
- Perfect for:
  - Reviewing image quality
  - Reading prompts carefully
  - Presenting to clients
  - Appreciating details

### Grid 3×3

**Balanced Browsing**

- Three images per row
- Moderate image size
- Key info visible
- Efficient scrolling
- Perfect for:
  - Daily gallery browsing
  - Finding specific images
  - Balanced overview
  - Most common use case

### Grid 5×5

**Maximum Overview**

- Five images per row
- Small thumbnails
- Dense layout
- Fast scanning
- Perfect for:
  - Large library management
  - Quick searching
  - Pattern recognition
  - Maximum productivity

## Pinch-to-Zoom Gesture

### iOS Photos-Style

Native gesture control:

- **Pinch out** (spread fingers) - Larger images (Grid5 → Grid3 → Single)
- **Pinch in** (fingers together) - Smaller images (Single → Grid3 → Grid5)
- **Smooth transitions** - Animated view changes
- **Natural feel** - Exactly like iOS Photos app

### How It Works

1. Place two fingers on screen
2. Spread apart to zoom in (larger images)
3. Bring together to zoom out (smaller images)
4. View changes instantly with smooth animation

### Benefits

- **No buttons needed** - Gesture-first design
- **Faster workflow** - Change views mid-scroll
- **Familiar interaction** - iOS users know it instantly
- **One-handed capable** - Use thumb and finger

## Per-Screen Preferences

### Separate Settings

Choose different views for different contexts:

- **Gallery view** - Your preference for personal images
- **Explore view** - Your preference for public feed
- **Independent memory** - Each screen remembers separately

### Use Cases

**Gallery: Single**

- Review your own work in detail
- Quality check each generation

**Explore: Grid 5×5**

- Scan community quickly
- Find inspiration fast

## View Switching

### Multiple Methods

Change views via:

1. **Pinch gesture** - Natural, intuitive (iOS/Android)
2. **View toggle button** - Three-button selector (all platforms)
3. **Settings** - Set defaults in profile
4. **Auto-remember** - Last used view persists

### Instant Changes

View switching is:

- **Immediate** - No loading screens
- **Animated** - Smooth transitions
- **Non-destructive** - No scroll position loss
- **Optimized** - Different thumbnails per view

## Smart Image Loading

### Size-Appropriate Thumbnails

Each view loads optimized images:

- **Single**: 800px medium thumbnails
- **Grid 3×3**: 400px small thumbnails
- **Grid 5×5**: 50px tiny thumbnails for ultra-fast loading

### Progressive Loading

All views feature:

- Blurhash placeholders
- Lazy loading
- Viewport-aware prefetching
- Bandwidth-efficient

## Performance Optimization

### View Mode Benefits

Each mode optimized for:

**Single**

- High-quality previews
- Detailed text rendering
- Generous spacing
- Comfortable reading

**Grid 3×3**

- Balanced performance
- Good detail visibility
- Efficient data usage
- Optimal for most users

**Grid 5×5**

- Maximum throughput
- Minimal data transfer
- Fastest scrolling
- Battery efficient

## Mobile vs Desktop

### Mobile (iOS/Android)

- Pinch gestures primary
- Toggle buttons as backup
- Portrait and landscape adaptive
- Safe area aware

### Desktop (Web)

- Keyboard shortcuts (coming soon)
- Mouse wheel zoom (coming soon)
- Wider grid layouts
- More screen real estate

## Settings & Persistence

### Saved Preferences

Your view choices are:

- **Saved to cloud** - Sync across devices
- **Per-screen** - Gallery and Explore independent
- **Instant apply** - No save button needed
- **Override-able** - Change anytime

### Profile Settings

Configure defaults in profile:

- **Gallery view default** - Choose startup view
- **Explore view default** - Choose explore startup
- **Gesture enabled** - Toggle pinch feature
- **Help text** - Gesture instruction in settings

## Accessibility

### Alternative Controls

For users who prefer:

- Clear toggle buttons always available
- Text labels on all options
- No gesture-only features
- Keyboard navigation (web)

### Visual Clarity

All modes designed for:

- High contrast
- Clear spacing
- Readable text sizes
- Consistent layouts

## Future Enhancements

### Coming Soon

- **Custom grid sizes** - 2×2, 4×4, 6×6 options
- **List view** - Table layout with metadata
- **Masonry layout** - Pinterest-style grid
- **Slideshow mode** - Auto-advance presentation

### Pro Features

- **Saved view presets** - Quick-switch configurations
- **Time-based views** - Different modes by time of day
- **Project-specific views** - Per-tag view preferences

---

**Three modes. One gesture. Infinite flexibility. Browse your way.**
