3D Designer
3D Designer is Placepoint's modelling module. You create 3D collections with proposed buildings, adjust terrain, import IFC files and share the scenario with colleagues.
Open the panel
Click 3D Designer in the left menu. The panel shows your collections and collections shared with you. Click Create new to start an empty collection.
What a 3D collection is
A collection is a scene linked to a property or a project. It can contain:
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| 3D volumes | Proposed buildings you draw as blocks with a footprint and a height |
| Hidden buildings | Existing buildings you mark as demolished in the scenario |
| Guide lines | Building lines, consideration zones and helper geometry |
| Terraform polygons | Terrain works with volume in m³ for cut and fill |
| IFC models | Architect files uploaded through the Library |
Saving is automatic. You can have many collections per project.
Geometric analysis tools in 3D
When you are in 3D mode, the analysis tools appear in the right rail. See Analyze - geometric tools for an overview. The tools are:
| Tool | Typical use |
|---|---|
| Measurements | Measure distances and areas (2D and 3D) |
| Daylight | Visualise daylight on facades for a given time and date |
| Shadow | Show shadows cast by surrounding buildings |
| Elevation Profile | Draw a line for a terrain or building section |
| Line of Sight | Check whether two points have a clear view of each other |
| Viewshed | Field of View from a point |
See Analyze for details and Example: Daylight and shadow in 3D for a step-by-step guide.
How to draw a 3D volume
- Switch to 3D by clicking the cube icon in the top menu.
- Open the 3D Designer panel and click Create new, or select an existing collection.
- Select the 3D volume tool in the panel.
- Draw the footprint at ground level by clicking the points in the map.
- Set the height of the volume in metres.
- Use Hide buildings to mark existing buildings as demolished in the scenario.
IFC import
Upload architect files (IFC format) through the Library in 3D Designer and place the model at the correct coordinate in the map.
Typical use cases
- Draw a 3D volume for a proposed new building and check whether UFA and BYA stay within the provisions of the zoning plan. Enable the Zoning map layer as an overlay.
- Run Daylight and Shadow analysis to assess the effect of a new building on neighbours' outdoor amenity space and neighbouring buildings.
- Import an IFC file from an architect and place it in a municipal context for a stakeholder presentation.
- Estimate ground works (cut and fill in m³) with Terraform polygons at an early stage.
- Use Line of Sight and Viewshed to document that a proposed building does not block views to heritage features.
Tips
- Close the property panel (X at the top) before you enable the analysis tools in the right rail. The panel covers them.
- Combine the 3D volume with the Zoning map layer to see whether the volume or the height conflicts with provisions in the municipal master plan or the zoning plan.
- Terraform polygons show the calculated cut and fill volume in m³, which is useful for rough cost estimates.
Differences from v1
- v1 has four tabs in sketch mode: 3D volume, Hide buildings, Guide lines and Terra. Placepoint Fusion keeps the same concept.
- v1 has Line of Sight and Viewshed directly under 3D Designer. Placepoint Fusion places them under Analyze in the right rail.
See also
- Analyze - geometric analysis tools in 3D.
- Example: Daylight and shadow in 3D - step-by-step workflow.