Tools

The core tools used to create epic designs.

Move Tool

The Move Tool is the most commonly used tool in Vip3D, used to select and move objects. It is used to manipulate shapes, segments of shapes, and arrange library items.

Move ToolLeft-click once to select an object (or use the selection marquee). Holding Ctrl on the keyboard allows multiple objects to be selected. Selected shapes will appear white, selected segments will highlight orange. Selected library items have blue boxes drawn around each item. Selected groups will also have a blue box.

Moving Shapes: Select a shape by positioning the cursor over it and clicking and holding the left mouse button on the line of the shape. Now the shape will move with the mouse. Release the button to leave the shape at its new position.

Moving Segments of a Shape: Left-click once on a shape to select it. Blue points will be drawn at both ends of all lines and arcs, at the middle of lines, and at the center of arcs. Any of these points can be moved to manipulate the shape in your drawing. Click and hold the left mouse button while the cursor is above a blue point, move the mouse in the direction you wish to move the point. Release the button to leave the point at its new position.

Deleting Segments of a Shape: Left-click once on a shape to select it. Blue points will be drawn at both ends of all lines and arcs, at the middle of lines, and at the center of arcs. Left click once on the center point of any segment. The segment will highlight in orange. Press the delete button. The orange segment will be deleted and the shape will become incomplete. Please remember, the shape must be completed by drawing or welding before it will appear in 3D.

Moving Library Items: Highlight an item by positioning the cursor over it, click and hold the left mouse button, and move the mouse in the direction you wish to move the item. Release the button to leave the item at its new position.


Rotate Tool

Rotate Tool

The Rotate Tool allows shapes and library items to be rotated. Left-click once to select an object (or use the selection marquee). Holding Ctrl on the keyboard allows multiple items to be selected. A selection of multiple items will rotate about the center of the selection.

Rotating Shapes: Select a shape by positioning the cursor over it and clicking and holding the left mouse button on the line of the shape. Now move the mouse in a clockwise or counter-clockwise motion to rotate the shape. Release the button to leave the shape at its new orientation. Some shapes such as those drawn in the House and Custom Shapes stages may also be titled upright on the axis in 3D with the rotate tool.

Rotating Library Items: Left-click once to select an item. Click and hold the left mouse button and move the mouse in a clockwise or counter-clockwise path to rotate the item. Release the button to leave the item at its new orientation. The majority of items in the library may also be titled upright on the axis in 3D with the rotate tool.

Rotating Around Fixed Point: Simply hold down the ALT key and left-click to set the pivot point. Doing so determines the central point around which your objects and shapes will rotate, giving you flexibility and precision as you position your elements exactly where you want them.  


Scale Tool

Scale Tool

Scaling Shapes: Select a shape by positioning the cursor over it and clicking and holding the left mouse button on the line of the shape. Now move the mouse to change the shape’s size. Release the button to leave the shape at its new size.

Scaling Segments of a Shape: Left-click once on a shape to select it. Only arc segments can be scaled. Click and hold the left mouse button while the cursor is above an arc’s radius marker and move the mouse to change the size of the arc. Release the button to leave the segment at its new size.

Scaling Library Items: Left-click once to select an item. Click and hold the left mouse button and move the mouse to change the item’s size. Release the button to leave the item at its new size.


Freehand Tool

Freehand ToolThe Freehand tool allows you to create freeform shapes as if drawing with a pen or pencil. Unlike the Line, Arc and Outline tools, left click must be held down to draw with Freehand.

Beginning a New Shape: Press and hold the left mouse button to draw with Freehand. As you move the mouse while holding left click, a continuous shape will be created following the mouse cursor. Letting go of left click will end the Freehand segment.

Continuing an Incomplete Shape: With the shape selected, left click and hold the mouse button on an orange end point with Freehand to continue drawing the shape.

Adjusting Freehand Settings: Once the shape is created, a purple line will appear, showing the exact shape drawn with Freehand. The software automatically adjusts the shape to create lines and arcs based on the freehand drawing. You can adjust the number of arcs with the Freehand Settings slider found on the Object tab. Sliding to fewer arcs will create a simpler and smoother shape, while sliding to more arcs will more closely match the original freehand shape. The shape can be edited with other tools, but once changes are made to the Freehand segments, the Freehand Settings can no longer be adjusted.


Line Tool

The Line Tool is for creating straight segments.Line Tool

Beginning a New Shape: Position the cursor in the viewport and single-click the left mouse button to mark the beginning of the line. Move the cursor away from the start point; a straight line will be drawn from the start point to the cursor’s current position. Single-click the left mouse button to mark the end of line segment.

TIP: Hold down the Shift key while drawing to create straight lines. Left-click your first point and hold down the Shift key, to see a straight line that follows the cursor.

Continuing a Shape: A line will be drawn from the cursor to the last point marked by the previous tool. Single-click the left mouse button to mark the end of the line segment.

Auto Complete: When drawing with the Line tool, an orange guide will appear when the line is 90 degrees from the starting point of the current shape. Single left click to finish the line segment as usual, using the guide as reference. Double click to end the Line while the orange guide is present to automatically complete the shape. Note: Perpendicular Snap must be on for the orange guide to appear.

Drawing an Incomplete Shape: While drawing a shape, press the ESC key at any time or left click on the last point drawn to stop drawing. This will create an incomplete shape.

Continuing an Incomplete Shape: Left clicking on any endpoint of an incomplete shape will allow you to continue drawing the shape. Connecting the endpoints will allow you to complete the shape.


Arc Tool

Arc Tool

The Arc Tool is for creating curved segments in your shapes. This tool operates in two steps: first a parent circle is sketched, then a portion of the circle is traced to create an arc.

Beginning a New Shape: Position the cursor in the viewport and single-click the left mouse button to mark the start point for the arc. Move the cursor away from the start point to sketch the parent circle. Single-click the left mouse button to begin tracing an arc. Move the cursor along the circle, and then single-click the left mouse button to set the arc.

Continuing a Shape: A circle will be sketched from the cursor to the last point marked by the previous drawing tool. Single-click the left mouse button to set the parent circle. Move the cursor along the circle to trace the arc. Single-click the left mouse button to set the arc.

Drawing an Incomplete Shape: While drawing a shape, press the ESC key at any time or left click on the last point drawn to stop drawing. This will create an incomplete shape.

Continuing an Incomplete Shape: Left clicking on any endpoint of an incomplete shape will allow you to continue drawing the shape. Connecting the endpoints will allow you to complete the shape.


Outline Tool

Outline Tool

The Outline Tool is for creating new shapes which match the contour of existing shapes.

Complete Outlines Automatically

It’s incredibly easy to use: simply draw one line and use the outline tool to set the offset. It will automatically create the second line to complete the shape. When activated, the Outline tool shows larger orange points at the end of the line. These orange points indicate that the shape can be completed right from that spot.

TIP: Create a 1 foot wide raised bond beam behind the pool, simply select the Outline Tool, trace the desired length, and left click the large orange end point. Then, set the offset and click to place it.

Trace Existing Shape

This tool operates in three steps and exhibits different behavior in each step. The cursor will change, as shown below, indicating which step is occurring in the process.Single-click the left mouse button to proceed to the next step; single-click the right mouse button to go back to a previous step if you wish to make a change.

Step 1. Choosing a Parent Shape

When the cursor enters the viewport, the cursor will display a question mark. This indicates that an existing shape needs to be chosen to be outlined or traced. With the left mouse button, single-click on an existing shape which you wish to outline or trace. The cursor will change indicating the completion of Step 1. Single-click the right mouse button to select a different parent shape.

Step 2. Marking the Offset Distance

A line will be drawn perpendicular from the parent shape to the cursor indicating the distance between the parent shape and the prospective outline. Move the cursor towards or away from the parent shape to adjust the offset distance. Single-click the left mouse button to mark the distance and the position. To change the offset distance, single-click the right mouse button.

Note: To trace a portion of an existing shape, such as when creating steps or raised areas, place the cursor directly on top of the selected shape such that the offset distance is zero, allowing the outlining portion of the new shape to exactly match the existing shape.

Step 3. Drawing the Outlining Shape

Now move the cursor to follow the prospective outline indicated by the dotted line. As the cursor travels along the dotted line, that portion becomes solid, indicating the shape which will be drawn at the completion of Step 3; any part which remains dotted will not be drawn. Single-click the left mouse button to complete the steps in the outline tool.


Divide Tool

Divide Tool

The Divide Tool is for creating new points, thus new segments, on the existing shapes. This provides you with a great flexibility to change the shapes without having to redraw them.

Dividing the Segments: In order to create a new segment on a shape by using the Divide tool, you have to be on the stage of that shape (to divide a house shape, you have to be on the House Stage). Select the Divide Tool. Position the cursor on any segment of the shape. An orange point will appear on the line where the cursor is pointing. Single-click the left mouse button to place the point. A new segment will be automatically created.


Rectangle Tool

Rectangle ToolThe Rectangle Tool is for creating square and rectangle shapes.

Beginning a New Shape: Position the cursor in the viewport and single-click the left mouse button to mark the beginning of the shape. Move the cursor away from the start point; a square will be drawn from the start point to the cursor’s current position. Single-click the left mouse button again to set the size.

TIP: Hold down the Shift key while drawing to create a perfect square with all 4 sides the same length. Left-click your first point and hold down the Shift key, to see a perfect square that follows the cursor.


Circle Tool

Circle ToolThe Circle Tool is for creating perfect circles with 2 clicks.

Beginning a New Shape: Position the cursor in the viewport and single-click the left mouse button to mark the beginning of the shape. Move the cursor away from the start point; a circle will be drawn from the start point to the cursor’s current position. Single-click the left mouse button again to set the size.

 

Oval and Ellipse

Oval and Ellipse ToolStart by selecting the circle tool. While holding down shift, click and hold your left mouse button to first set the length of your oval and then set the width. 

Whether creating an oval spa, oval stepping stones or any other elliptical shape, changing the dimensions is easy with the move tool. Simply click the blue points to uniformly adjust your shape!

 

 


Smooth Tool

Smooth ToolThe Smooth Tool converts hard corners into arcs. Holding Ctrl on the keyboard allows multiple corners to be selected.

Smoothing Corners: Corners which can be smoothed are indicated by blue points. Position the cursor over a corner point, click and hold the left mouse button, and move the mouse to adjust the radius of the new arc.




Carve Tool 

The Carve Tool makes it easy to customize designs by creating, cutting, and carving holes exactly where you need them. The tool is available in Hardscapes, Steps & Benches, Planters and Custom Shapes.

Crave ToolWith your shape selected, click the Carve button. This will activate Carve Mode. A blue border will appear around your 2D grid.

While in Carve Mode you create the hole you need with the drawing tools.

Each hole has individual coping and line settings that can be adjusted.

If you need to return to Carve Mode, you can select the shape and press the Carve button or simply double click on a carved shape.

Carve Sink


Measure Tool

Measure ToolThe Tape Measure is for marking arbitrary lengths which are not indicated automatically by the program, such as the distance between the house and the pool. Once a measurement is made, it can be adjusted by manipulating the ends with the Move Tool. Measurements made with the Tape Measure will appear when the 2D view is printed, but they are not represented in 3D or Presentation mode.

Using the Tape Measure: Position the cursor in the viewport and single-click the left mouse button to set the beginning of the tape. Move the cursor away from the start point; a straight line will be drawn from the start point to the cursor’s current position. Single-click the left mouse button to set the end of the measurement.

Offsetting the Tape Measure: Select the move tool and then left click and hold on the measurement text. Dragging the mouse will offset the tape measure.

Measure Tool ArrowChanging the Arrow Style: Different arrow styles for the measure tool may be selected from the Arrow Style drop-down under Object Styles in the Panel.

Changing the Arrow Size: The arrow size may be adjusted with the control to the right of the arrow style drop-down.

Changing the Measurement Text Font: The measurement text font and font size may be changed by single left clicking the Font button.

Showing Measurements: To show measurements, check the Display Measurements box located under the Object Tab. To hide the measurements, uncheck the box and a red X will appear.


Text Tool

Tool TextThe Text Tool is for inserting labels or notes into the drawing. Existing labels or notes can be moved using the Move Tool. They will appear when the 2D view is printed, but they are not represented in 3D or Presentation mode.

Using the Text Tool: Position the cursor in the viewport, and single-click the left mouse button to set the position of the text. Type the text using the keyboard and single-click the left mouse button to finish.

Label Text: Selecting label text will create form style text with lines for information. The information label will appear on the left and lines for information will appear to the right. Left click the default label to enter your own label. Left click the lines at any time to enter the information.

Label Underline: Add or remove the underline to the right of the label text.

Callout Text: Pressing the Add Call-Out Arrow button will add an arrow to the text. With the move tool, the arrow may be adjusted to point to any location in the viewport. The center point of the arrow may also be adjusted to make it bend. The color of the arrow will be the same color as the text.

Text Tool

Changing Call-Out Text Line Style: Different line styles for the Call-Out Text line may be selected from the Line Style drop-down under Object Styles.

Changing Call-Out Text Line Size: The line size may be adjusted with the control to the right of the line style drop-down.

Changing Text Font: The text font and font size may be changed by single left clicking the Font button under the Text/Font Tab.

Changing Text Color (In Construction Markup Only): The text color may be changed by single left clicking the Color Square located to the right of the Font button in Construction Markup. The color will only be visible while in the Construction Phase, the default design color will appear in all other stages.

Align Tools: The text may be aligned left, center or right by single left clicking one of the Align buttons. By default, text will align left.

U: The text may be underlined by single left clicking the U button.

Arrow ToolChanging Call-Out Text Arrow Style: Different arrow styles for the Call-Out Text Arrow may be selected from the Arrow Style drop-down under Object Styles.

Changing Call-Out Text Arrow Size: The arrow size may be adjusted with the control to the right of the arrow style drop-down.

Border Tool

Changing Text Border Style: The text border style may changed by selecting a different border style from the drop-down menu. If you do not wish to have a text border, select None from the drop-down menu.

Changing Text Border Size: The text border size may be adjusted with the control to the right of the border style drop-down.

Changing Text Border Color (In Construction Markup Only): The text border color may be changed by single left clicking the Color Square located to the right of the Border Style drop-down menu.