Appearance
Troubleshooting
Use the message in the active panel first. Jodu usually explains whether the problem is a missing selection, invalid geometry, missing catalog data, or a save/export readiness issue.
Platform & Connectivity
Do I need internet access?
Yes, Jodu is a browser-based application and requires an active internet connection to save your project models, load catalogs, and run the 3D House generator. Offline editing is not currently supported.
Can I use Jodu on an iPad or tablet?
Jodu is optimized for desktop and laptop browsers with a mouse and keyboard. While you can view models on a tablet, native CAD authoring (drawing walls, placing precise dimensions) requires keyboard modifiers (Shift, Ctrl) and exact metric typing, which are difficult on touch screens.
General issues
The canvas is blank
Confirm that a project and an active Plan level are loaded. If the Plan view is still blank, refresh the workspace and check the save/status message before trying the tool again.
A tool is not responding
Press Esc to return to Select, then choose the tool again. Check that the tool belongs to the active Plan aspect and that it has the required input:
- Wall needs a structural wall type.
- Room needs a preset and a drag.
- Door, Window, and Passage need a wall under the pointer.
- Modify tools need the geometry or mode requested by their panel.
Changes are not saving
Wait for the save/status indicator to settle, then retry the action once. If it still fails, preserve the visible error and project revision before reporting it. Do not use a browser refresh as the first fix for an unsaved edit.
Site and levels
The plot is missing
Open Plans → Site setup → Plot, enter Width and Depth, and choose Create plot or Update plot. The Site workspace itself is for site evidence and North angle.
The road side is wrong
Change Road side in Site setup → Plot. Choose Front, Rear, Left, or Right. North angle is a separate Site setting.
I cannot add or rename a level
Use Plans → Level Actions → Add level. Select the new level, open Properties, and edit Level properties → Name. See Storeys.
Plan tools
Walls are not starting
Choose a structural wall type in Wall options. A plot is helpful site context but is not required for native wall authoring. See Wall.
Snapping is getting in the way
There is no global magnet toggle. Hold Ctrl while dragging a room to suppress snap for that drag. Hold Shift while drawing a wall to constrain it to an axis. See Precision input.
A room will not place
Choose a preset, then click and drag on an open area. If nearby geometry is capturing the drag, hold Ctrl. Resolve any overlap message before confirming.
A door, window, or passage will not place
Choose the correct tool and move over a wall centerline. You do not need to select the wall first. If the opening is too large for the wall span, choose a narrower preset or use the custom sizing flow.
Trim is doing the wrong operation
Press X and check the visible mode: Trim segment, Extend, Split, or Open passage. Trim does not use a Shift+click mode switch.
A dimension does not appear
Choose Dimension (M), pick valid wall or opening anchors, then set the dimension line position and confirm. D is Door; it is not the dimension tool.
Shortcuts
Aspect-scoped shortcuts only work while their aspect is active. W does nothing in the Structure step board because Structure is not Shell. Shortcuts are also ignored while Ctrl/Cmd is held or while focus is in a text field. Open the ? panel in the Plan header for the current list.
Outputs
A schedule looks stale
Open the relevant Schedules tab and choose Refresh. The schedule is derived from the model revision that was loaded; an edit made in another workspace may not be reflected until the refresh completes.
Estimate totals are unavailable
Open Quantities → Measurements & assumptions and inspect readiness findings, rate-book lines, GST assumptions, overhead, profit, and steel ratios. A measured quantity is not automatically a priced estimate.
PDF export is blocked
Read the drawing-set diagnostics. Resolve errors; warnings may require review or acknowledgement. For a quick active-level drawing, use the header Export menu; for a composed set, use Sheet → Export PDF set.
The 3D House is stale
Choose Update 3D House after model edits. A generated artifact is not silently regenerated on every change.
Ask Jodu (Project assistant)
The assistant says it doesn't know
Ask Jodu only answers with verified facts from your current model or procedures from this help library. It will decline to answer if:
- The element does not exist in your model (e.g. asking about a Second Floor when only Ground is created).
- The query asks for subjective opinions or unconfigured site data.
- The workflow is not yet documented.
Fix: Make sure the model has the relevant objects, check your spelling, or ask specifically with the storey and room name.
Voice transcription was incorrect or empty
- Ensure your browser has permission to access the microphone.
- Speak clearly at a moderate pace. Ask Jodu supports English, Hindi, and Hinglish.
- After transcription completes, review and edit the text directly in the box before pressing Send.
A citation click did not focus an entity
Some elements (like open passage trims) do not have a direct 2D focus target. For focusable elements (walls, rooms, stairs, columns), clicking the citation switches the canvas to the correct storey and highlights the item.
Related
- Plan workspace — tool ownership and workflow
- Plan shortcuts — keyboard reference
- Site setup — plot and setbacks
- Schedules — live model tables
- Project assistant — ask Jodu a cited question