> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://luw-ai.gitbook.io/luw.ai-studio/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://luw-ai.gitbook.io/luw.ai-studio/import-and-export/screenshots.md).

# Screenshots and snapshots

Save a PNG of the 3D view in one step, or frame a high-quality snapshot that's kept in the project's Gallery, and use the Display menu to set the look.

Sometimes you just need a picture: a progress shot for a client, an image for a mood board, a before-and-after of a room. Luw\.ai Studio gives you two ways to capture the 3D view, both from the command palette (`Cmd/Ctrl + K`):

|                            | **Take Screenshot**                                | **Take Snapshot**                                                                                                           |
| -------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| How it works               | Saves the 3D view instantly, exactly as it's drawn | Opens a framing overlay first, then renders the shot                                                                        |
| Size                       | The size of the view on your screen                | 1920 × 1080 by default; other ratios, the full view, or an area you drag                                                    |
| Grid and selection handles | Included if they're on screen                      | Left out                                                                                                                    |
| Where it goes              | Your downloads folder, as `screenshot_<date>.png`  | The project's **Gallery** when you're signed in; otherwise your downloads folder, as `<Project>_snapshot_<date>_<time>.png` |

Neither one changes the scene itself.

{% hint style="info" %}
Looking for a photoreal image instead of a capture of the editor? That's [Render with AI](/luw.ai-studio/luw.ai-ai-tools/render-with-ai.md): click **Render** in the toolbar and Luw\.ai turns your current view into a photoreal picture, filed in the same Gallery.
{% endhint %}

## Take a quick screenshot

1. Set up the view the way you want it (see [Set up the look](#set-up-the-look) below).
2. Press `Cmd/Ctrl + K` and choose **Take Screenshot**.

The PNG downloads right away, named with the date, for example `screenshot_2026-10-12.png`. It's a copy of the 3D view at its current size, so whatever is drawn in the view ends up in the image: the render style, edge lines, theme, any wall cutaway or level mode, and the grid if it's switched on.

Use the 3D view (not the 2D plan) when you take a screenshot. For a clean plan image, export the floor plan as PNG or SVG instead; see [Export](/luw.ai-studio/import-and-export/export.md#export-a-2d-floor-plan).

## Take a framed snapshot

A snapshot takes a moment longer but gives you control over the frame and a cleaner result: it is rendered separately at a fixed size, without the grid, handles and other editing helpers.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Open the overlay

Press `Cmd/Ctrl + K` and choose **Take Snapshot**. The view switches to framing mode, with thirds lines and corner marks to help you compose.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Choose the crop

Pick a crop at the bottom of the screen:

* **Standard**: a fixed-ratio frame. Click **Standard** again to change the ratio.
* **Viewport**: the whole view, at its size on screen.
* **Area**: drag a rectangle over the part you want, then adjust it with the corner handles.

Two chips at the top, **Crop** and **Format**, show the current crop and the exact output size.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Frame the shot

Orbit, pan and zoom as usual, or switch the camera at the bottom (see [Move the camera while framing](#move-the-camera-while-framing)). If your building has more than one level, the panel at the top left chooses what's in the shot: **Whole building** or one level (which shows that level and the ones below it).
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Shoot

Click the round **Take snapshot** button, or press `Enter`. The label changes to **Capturing…**, then **Saved**, and the overlay closes. See [Where snapshots go](#where-snapshots-go).
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

<figure><img src="https://1629954275-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F3c2lKXqxOtmrzgrQQpGP%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-a581048da7b4fe881a8866e84fa848c35cf53d3e%2Fsnapshot-capture-overlay.webp?alt=media" alt="The furnished corner in the snapshot overlay, with Crop: Standard and Format: 1920 × 1080 chips at the top, Esc to cancel at the top right, and the Orbit, Walk and Drone modes, lens, crop options and shutter button at the bottom"><figcaption><p>Framing a 16:9 shot of the sitting corner. The chips at the top confirm the crop and the output size.</p></figcaption></figure>

To leave without taking a picture, click **Esc to cancel** at the top right, or press `Esc`.

### Standard sizes

| Ratio            | Output size | Good for                       |
| ---------------- | ----------- | ------------------------------ |
| `16:9` (default) | 1920 × 1080 | Presentations, screens         |
| `9:16`           | 1080 × 1920 | Phone stories and reels        |
| `4:3`            | 1920 × 1440 | Documents and print            |
| `3:4`            | 1440 × 1920 | Portrait pages                 |
| `1:1`            | 1440 × 1440 | Social media posts, thumbnails |

### Move the camera while framing

The camera buttons next to the **Lens** control let you compose from inside the building:

* **Orbit**: the normal editor camera.
* **Walk**: walk through the rooms at eye level. `W` `A` `S` `D` to move, `Space` to jump, `E` to open a door.
* **Drone**: fly freely. `W` `A` `S` `D` to move, `Space` or `E` to rise, `Q` to sink, `Shift` to go faster, `Alt` to go slower.

**Lens** sets the field of view, in degrees; the arrow next to it puts it back where it started. In **Walk** and **Drone** the mouse wheel changes the lens too, and a click or `Enter` takes the shot. Here `Esc` (or `P`) frees the mouse pointer instead of closing the overlay. When you leave the overlay, the camera goes back to orbit and to its usual lens.

### Where snapshots go

When you're signed in with a project open, the snapshot is uploaded to your Luw\.ai account and kept in the project's **Gallery**, under **Snapshots**. Nothing downloads. Open it in the Gallery to **Download** it, star it, or click **Use as the project cover** to put it on the project's card in **Projects**. See [The Gallery](/luw.ai-studio/luw.ai-ai-tools/render-with-ai.md#the-gallery).

Signed out, or if the upload doesn't go through, the snapshot downloads instead, as a PNG named after the project and the moment you took it, for example `Lake_House_snapshot_2026-10-12_14-03-22.png` (in your local time).

An empty Gallery has a **Take a snapshot** button too: it switches to the 3D view and opens the framing overlay.

## Set up the look

Both kinds of capture start from what you see. Before you shoot, open **Display** in the toolbar at the top right of the view, and check the level and wall buttons next to it.

| Setting     | Where       | What it changes                                                                                                                                          |
| ----------- | ----------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Render**  | **Display** | **Solid** is flat and fast, without ambient occlusion; **Rendered** adds full ambient occlusion for softer, deeper shading                               |
| **Edges**   | **Display** | **Off**, **Soft** (a faint outline on the main creases) or **Strong** (crisp, dark lines)                                                                |
| **Theme**   | **Display** | The scene's colours and light: **Studio**, **Paper**, **Sunset**, **Overcast**, **Blueprint**, **Mediterranean**, **Twilight**, **Night** or **Verdant** |
| **Camera**  | **Display** | **Perspective** for a natural view, **Orthographic** for flat, measured-looking axonometric shots                                                        |
| **Shadows** | **Display** | Switch cast shadows on or off                                                                                                                            |
| **Grid**    | **Display** | Hide it for a cleaner quick screenshot                                                                                                                   |
| Levels      | Toolbar     | **Stack**, **Exploded** or **Solo**                                                                                                                      |
| Walls       | Toolbar     | **Cutaway**, **Full height**, **Low** or **Translucent**, to see into the rooms from above                                                               |

A quick screenshot shows all of this exactly as it looks on screen. A snapshot goes through its own high-quality render path: it keeps your camera type, edge setting and theme, and adds its own ambient occlusion.

{% hint style="success" %}
For eye-level interior shots, place a spawn point in the room and step in with **Walkthrough**. Pressing `Enter` there hands exactly what you see to Luw\.ai Render AI on app.luw\.ai; see [Render with AI](/luw.ai-studio/luw.ai-ai-tools/render-with-ai.md#more-options-in-render-ai) and [Walkthrough and VR](/luw.ai-studio/plugins/walkthrough-and-vr.md).
{% endhint %}

## Next steps

* [Render with AI](/luw.ai-studio/luw.ai-ai-tools/render-with-ai.md): turn a view into a photoreal image, and find everything in the Gallery.
* [Export](/luw.ai-studio/import-and-export/export.md): floor plans, 3D models and print files.
* [Placing and arranging](/luw.ai-studio/items-and-paint/placing-and-arranging.md): get the room ready for its close-up.