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Plan workspace
Plans is the exact 2D floor-plan authoring workspace. It supports two approaches that can be mixed in one model:
- Wall-first — draw wall segments and chains.
- Space-first — place sized rooms and let Jodu create their supporting geometry.
Both approaches write to the same building model and feed the same 3D, schedules, quantities, and drawing outputs.
Prerequisites
- A project with an active Plan level. Ground exists in a new project.
- A structural wall type selected before using the Wall tool.
Plot dimensions and setbacks are recommended site context, not a prerequisite for native wall or room authoring. Configure them from Site setup when the site information is ready.
To add an upper level, use Level Actions → Add level in the Plan header; see Storeys.
Typical workflow
- Wall (W) or Room (R) — establish the shell.
- Door (D), Window (N), or Passage (P) — add openings.
- Stair (T) — connect levels when needed.
- Dimension (M) — add readable measurements.
- Use Trim, Offset, Mirror, Array, and Corner close to correct or repeat geometry.
- Configure site context, then continue into Structure, Facade, and Finishes as the model becomes ready. Persisted construction data remains available to supported outputs.
- Review Schedules, Quantities and BoQ, 3D House, or Sheets.
Tool reference
Select group
| Tool | Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Select | Esc | Select entities, move them, or delete them. |
Draw group
| Tool | Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Wall | W | Draw typed or freehand wall segments and chains. |
| Room | R | Drag to place a sized room. |
Openings group
| Tool | Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Door | D | Place a door on a wall. |
| Window | N | Place a window on a wall. |
| Passage | P | Place a doorless opening in a wall. |
Modify group
| Tool | Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Trim | X | Segment, extend, split, or open a passage in a wall. |
| Offset | O | Offset selected geometry. |
| Mirror | F | Mirror a selection across a two-point axis. |
| Corner close | C | Close a near-miss corner. |
| Array | — | Repeat a selection in a line or grid. |
Vertical and annotate groups
| Tool | Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Stair | T | Place a stair between levels. |
| Dimension | M | Add a linear or chained dimension annotation. |
Site and reference
| Tool | Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Site Systems | — | Reach site context from any Plan aspect. |
| Reference image | I | Add a PNG, JPEG, or PDF underlay. |
The plot is not a Plan toolbar tool. Use Site setup or select the plot context through Site Systems.
Plan aspects
The left rail exposes the authoring lanes that are available in the current model:
| Aspect | Main surface |
|---|---|
| Shell | Plan canvas and drawing/opening tools |
| Facade | Facade panel and 3D view |
| Finishes | Finishes tabs and preview/apply panels |
| Structure | Structure right-panel step board |
Structure commands are not ordinary left-rail tools; open the Structure panel and follow its step board.
Cross-tool mode
Match properties captures a style with E and applies it with Y. See Plan shortcuts and overlays for the complete keyboard reference.
Canvas navigation
| Action | Keys |
|---|---|
| Pan | Space + drag |
| Zoom in/out | Ctrl++ / Ctrl+− |
| Fit to screen | Ctrl+0 |
| Undo | Ctrl+Z |
| Redo | Ctrl+Shift+Z |
Overlays
Use the canvas view-settings control to manage area labels, the structural grid, reference images, opening labels, and warnings. See Shortcuts and overlays for the current defaults.
Troubleshooting
“Why can't I draw walls?” Choose a structural wall type in Wall options and confirm that the intended Plan level is active. A missing plot does not prevent native wall authoring.
“Why does a room click do nothing?” The Room tool requires a drag. Hold Ctrl during the drag if nearby geometry is attracting the placement.
“Why does a shortcut do nothing?” Some shortcuts are aspect-scoped. For example, W is available in Shell, not while a Structure step board is active.
“Why did deleting a wall show a dialog?” Walls, rooms, and stairs show a consequence preview before deletion; dimensions and openings can delete immediately.
See Troubleshooting for cross-workspace issues.