Material Library
Browse photoreal materials by category and apply them to any garden surface in seconds.
The Materials panel gives you access to a collection of photoreal materials covering common garden surfaces — grass, gravel, stone, timber, paving, concrete, brick, water, soil, composite decking, roofing, and more. Materials are organized into named categories with icons, and a live search box lets you narrow the list as you type. Applying a material updates both the 2D plan fill and the 3D surface at the same time. Once loaded, material thumbnails are cached locally so your library stays usable offline during site visits.
Open the Materials panel
Select an entity, open the Inspector's Style section, set the photoreal material mode to Custom, and click Browse materials (or the material swatch once one is set) to open the Materials panel. The panel slides open on the right side of the editor and begins loading the catalog.
Open the Material Library
Click the Materials icon in the right panel toolbar, or select an entity and click the material slot in the Inspector. The Material Library panel opens on the right side of the editor.
Browse by category
Materials are organized into the following categories:
- Ground — grass, gravel, soil, mulch, bark, sand
- Paving — concrete, brick, stone, tile, asphalt, cobblestone
- Wood — decking, timber, fence boards, stained wood
- Metal — steel, galvanized, corten, aluminum
- Fabric — canvas, mesh, sail shade
- Water — still water, pool tile, pond liner
- Specialty — rubber, resin, aggregate
Click a category header to expand or collapse it. Click any material thumbnail to preview it in the panel.
Search for a material
Type in the search box at the top of the panel to filter materials by name. Results update as you type. Search matches material names and surface descriptions — for example, searching "gravel" returns all gravel-type materials across all categories.
Search is case-insensitive and matches partial words — typing "bri" returns brick and cobblestone materials.
Apply a material to an entity
There are two ways to apply a material:
1. Drag and drop — drag a material thumbnail from the library and drop it onto an entity on the canvas. The material is applied immediately. 2. Select then click — select an entity first, then click a material thumbnail in the library. The material is applied to the selected entity.
The entity's 2D fill and 3D surface both update to reflect the new material.
To apply the same material to multiple entities at once, use Shift+Click or drag a marquee to select them all, then double-click the material swatch. All selected entities update simultaneously.
Offline access
Materials are cached after the first time they are loaded. If you go offline, previously viewed materials remain available in the panel. New materials added to the library since your last online session will show a placeholder until you reconnect.
Open the Material Library while online before a site visit to ensure all the materials you need are cached for offline use.
Applying a material is just the starting point — after applying, the Inspector's Style section lets you fine-tune the texture Scale and Direction for the selected surface.
Use the category chips as a shortcut for rapid theming: select all paving entities with a marquee, click the Paving chip, pick a material, and double-click the swatch to apply the same surface to your entire hardscape in one step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply the same material to multiple entities at once?
Yes. Select multiple entities using Shift+Click or a marquee selection box, then double-click a material swatch in the library. The material is applied to all selected entities simultaneously.
What is the difference between single-clicking and double-clicking a swatch?
Single-clicking a swatch highlights it in the panel so you can confirm which material is active before applying it. Double-clicking applies the material to whatever entity (or entities) is currently selected on the canvas.
Why does a material show a gray placeholder instead of a texture thumbnail?
Texture thumbnails are cached the first time you view them while online. A gray placeholder means the material has not been loaded on this device yet, or you are offline and it was added to the catalog since your last session. Reconnect to the internet and reopen the panel to load the missing textures.
Can I upload my own custom materials?
The current library contains the built-in set of photoreal materials. Custom material upload is planned for a future release. In the meantime, you can adjust the texture Scale and Direction of any applied material in the Inspector's Style section.
Does applying a material affect both 2D and 3D views?
Yes. When you apply a material from the library, the entity's 2D plan fill and its 3D surface both update at the same time. In 2D view the fill reflects the material's base color and pattern; in 3D and Presentation mode the full photoreal texture renders with lighting, reflections, and depth.