Shade Sail
The Shade Sail Wizard places a tensioned canopy stretched between anchor posts. Steps: shape → posts.
The Shade Sail Wizard places a parametric tensioned fabric canopy stretched between anchor posts at each corner. Choose from triangle (3 posts), rectangle, or square (4 posts) shapes, then set each post to a different height to produce the characteristic angled drape. Fabric tension level and UV protection percentage are configurable, and separate material slots let you assign colours to the sail fabric and the metal posts independently. Use shade sails to cover seating areas, play spaces, or poolside zones where a modern, lightweight canopy suits the design.
Step 2 — Posts
Set the height of each anchor post independently. Varying the heights creates the characteristic draped catenary effect of a tensioned sail. Each corner post height is set with its own slider.
Select the sail shape
In the Posts step, choose your sail shape from the Shape selector: Triangle (3 anchor corners), Rectangle (4 corners with independent width and depth), or Square (4 corners, equal width and depth). Use the Width and Depth fields to set the sail's footprint dimensions — all values are stored in metres and display in your project's active unit system.
Set individual post heights
Each anchor corner has its own Post Height slider. Drag the sliders to different values to create the angled, tensioned look characteristic of shade sails. A triangle sail has three height controls; rectangle and square sails have four. The preview updates live as you adjust each post.
Raise one corner post significantly higher than the others — for example 4 m versus 2.5 m at the remaining corners — to create a steep pitch that sheds rain naturally and reads with strong visual impact in both 3D and presentation views.
Adjust fabric tension
Use the Tension Level control to set how taut the sail fabric appears: Low produces a visible central sag for a relaxed, organic look; Medium gives a moderate drape; High renders the sail as a nearly flat, taut surface. The tension setting affects the 3D geometry of the sail but does not change the footprint area.
Set UV protection and materials
Enter a UV Protection percentage (0–100) to document the sail's sun-blocking specification — this value appears in the cost report and bill of quantities. Under Materials, assign a colour or photoreal material to the Sail Fabric slot and separately to the Post Metal slot to match the project's palette.
Place the sail on the canvas
Click on the canvas to set the sail's origin point, or drag the preview to reposition it. You can also draw or select an existing closed polygon — triangle, rectangle, or circle — before activating the wizard, and the shade sail will adopt that shape's footprint and corner count automatically.
If you draw a closed polygon on the canvas first and then open the Shade Sail Wizard, the wizard adopts that polygon's shape, dimensions, and corner positions. A circle entity maps to a 4-post square sail sized to the circle's diameter.
Review and apply
Switch to the Apply step to see a summary of the sail dimensions, post heights, and material assignments. Click Place Shade Sail to commit the object to the drawing. The sail is added as a parametric entity and can be re-opened at any time by selecting it and clicking Parameters in the inspector.
Key Parameters
| Name | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | triangle | Footprint geometry of the sail. Triangle uses 3 anchor posts; rectangle and square use 4. |
| Width / Depth | 4 m × 4 m | Overall footprint dimensions of the sail canopy. |
| Post Heights | 2.5 m per post | Individual height for each anchor post corner. Array length matches the post count for the chosen shape. |
| Tension Level | medium | Controls the visual sag of the fabric. Low = relaxed drape; High = nearly flat taut surface. |
| UV Protection | 90 | Sun-blocking specification for the sail fabric, included in cost reports. |
| Sail Fabric material | Sand beige | Colour and photoreal material applied to the fabric canopy surface. |
| Post Metal material | Satin steel | Colour and photoreal material applied to the anchor post columns. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What sail shapes are available?
Triangle (3 anchor posts), Rectangle (4 posts with separate width and depth), and Square (4 posts, equal sides). All three shapes support independent per-post heights.
Why does my sail look flat even though the posts are at different heights?
Check the Tension Level setting. When it is set to High the sail renders as nearly flat regardless of post height differences. Switch to Medium or Low to see the drape effect driven by the height variation.
Can I place a shade sail over an existing drawn polygon?
Yes. Draw or select a closed polygon (triangle, rectangle, or circle) on the canvas before activating the wizard. The wizard will adopt that shape's footprint, corner count, and dimensions automatically. A circle maps to a 4-post square sail.
Can I edit a placed shade sail later?
Yes. Select the shade sail entity on the canvas and click Parameters in the inspector panel. The wizard reopens with all parameters restored, and any changes are applied when you click Place Shade Sail again.
Does the UV protection percentage affect the 3D appearance?
No — it is a specification value that appears in the cost estimate and bill of quantities, not a visual render parameter. The sail's visual opacity is controlled by the Sail Fabric material slot.