に見えるLooks or appears
に見える describes the identity, quality, or state that someone or something appears to have. It reports an observer's outward impression, which may differ from reality.
The impression, not necessarily the reality
The item being observed is usually the topic or subject. The expression after it gives the result of the observer's perception: what category it seems to belong to or what quality it seems to have. It does not claim that the impression is objectively correct.
Three basic patterns
あの建物は遠くから見ると船に見える。
Seen from a distance, that building looks like a ship.
AnalyzeThe noun names the apparent category.
この部屋は写真で見るより広く見える。
This room looks larger than it does in photographs.
AnalyzeAn i-adjective changes to its adverbial form before the verb.
写真では、この通りがとても静かに見える。
In the photograph, this street looks very quiet.
AnalyzeA na-adjective uses に before the verb.
Stating whose impression it is
The observer is often understood from context. When the viewpoint matters, mark the observer with には. The item receiving the judgment remains the topic or subject.
私には、この図は実際より複雑に見える。
To me, this diagram looks more complicated than it really is.
AnalyzeWhen the impression is a whole scene
Use a noun directly before に見える when assigning an apparent category. If the impression contains a whole clause describing a scene or event, use the clause followed by ように見える instead.
窓の向こうで雪が降っているように見える。
It looks as though it is snowing beyond the window.
AnalyzeHere the apparent content is the whole clause about snow falling, so the comparison form is required.
More examples
夕方の光では、白い壁が薄いピンク色に見える。
In the evening light, the white wall looks pale pink.
Analyzeこの模型は、遠くからだと本物の家に見える。
From a distance, this model looks like a real house.
Analyzeこのボタンは実際より小さく見えます。
This button looks smaller than it really is.
Analyzeその道は地図で見るより長く見える。
That road looks longer than it does on the map.
Analyze舞台の上では、小さな箱が大きな岩に見えた。
Onstage, the small box looked like a large rock.
Analyze雨の日は、森がいつもより暗く見える。
On rainy days, the forest looks darker than usual.
Analyze