This figure shows a portion of a cubic closest packed structure with the layers arbitrarily labeled A, B, and C. Each layer with the same letter has atoms with the same orientation, but the orientations are different in layers with different letters.

The difference in the orientation of the three types of planes can be seen by considering how these planes of close packed atoms stack to form a three-dimensional solid.

Use the link on the right to either separate or collapse the layers in a CCP structure.