3D Models Overview
Place 3D objects in your design from two sources: the built-in system catalog (furniture, accessories, water features, and more) or your own imported model files.
3D Models Overview3D models let you furnish and accessorize your garden designs with real-world objects without drawing them by hand. You can browse and place objects from the built-in System Model Catalog — covering furniture, seating, planters, water features, structural elements, and more — or import your own model files into a private account library for reuse across projects. Importing your own files is part of the 3D modeling tier (Designer and above); the built-in catalog is available more widely. Every placed model appears as a proportional top-down footprint in the 2D plan view and as its full mesh in the 3D view, where it can be moved, rotated, and scaled like any other entity. Use 3D models to enrich client presentations with recognizable furnishings or to incorporate supplier-provided objects that match the pieces being installed.
Placing a model
Click a model card in the catalog or click Place in Drawing after selecting a model. The cursor changes to placement mode. Click on the canvas to drop the model. Press Escape to cancel placement.
Browse the System Model Catalog
Click Browse Model Catalog at the top of the 3D Models tab to open the system catalog. Use the category filters and the search field to find the object you need — results show a name, preview thumbnail, and approximate real-world size. Click a catalog entry to select it and load it into placement mode.
Or pick a model from your library
Below the Browse Model Catalog button, the tab displays a thumbnail grid of all models you have previously imported into your account library. Click any thumbnail to enter placement mode with that model. If the grid is empty, you have not imported any custom models yet — see Importing 3D Models for instructions.
Place the model on the canvas
Once a model is selected, a live preview follows your cursor on the canvas. Click to drop the model at that position. The model is placed at ground level by default and immediately appears in both the plan and 3D views. Press Escape to cancel placement without adding an object.
Adjust position, rotation, and size
Select the placed model to activate its transform handles. Use the Move tool to reposition it, the Rotate tool to spin it to the correct orientation, and the Scale handles to resize it. The Inspector panel on the right lets you type exact values for position, rotation, and dimensions. Use the Lock proportions toggle in the inspector to scale the model uniformly and avoid distortion (it is locked by default).
Elevate the model if needed
By default, models sit at ground level. If you are placing furniture on a raised deck or a planter on a wall, set the Elevation field in the inspector to match the surface height. Values are shown in your project's unit system (metric or imperial). The model will display at the correct height in the 3D view while its footprint stays at its plan position in the 2D view.
Catalog models are downloaded on demand and cached locally. The first time you place a large catalog model it may take a moment to load — subsequent placements of the same model are instant.
Placed models are full entities: they appear in the Layers panel, can be locked, hidden, grouped, and included in cost estimates. Assign a model to a layer to control its visibility alongside other design elements.
Deleting a model entity from the canvas does not remove the source file from your account library. To permanently delete an imported model from your library, use the library management options inside the Import workspace.
Frequently Asked Questions
What file formats can I import?
The importer accepts GLB and GLTF files, as well as OBJ, FBX, STL, DAE (Collada), and PLY formats. Files are converted to GLB on upload and stored in your account library. For best results, use GLB — it bundles textures and geometry into a single file with no missing-texture issues.
Where do the system catalog models come from?
They are a professionally prepared set of objects managed by the Scapiera team — furniture, seating, tables, planters, urns, water features, pergola accessories, and more. They are available to all accounts at no extra cost and do not count toward any storage quota.
Why is my library grid empty?
The library grid only shows models you have uploaded yourself. It is empty for new accounts. To add models, click Importing 3D Models in the related articles below and follow the import steps — once imported, a model appears in your library and can be reused across all your projects.
Do placed models appear in the 2D plan?
Yes. Every placed model renders as a top-down footprint in the plan view, sized to match the model's real bounding box. The footprint helps you verify clearances and spacing in the plan without switching to the 3D view.
Can I use the same model in multiple projects?
Yes. Once a model is in your account library it is available in every project. The model file is stored once in your account — all projects reference the same file, so storage is not duplicated. System catalog models are likewise shared across all projects.