📚 KNOWLEDGE BASE

Features & Tools Reference

A comprehensive guide explaining every function, slider, and customization option available in the ArchiDiagram Web App.

0. Creating a New Project

⚡ NEW: Express Mode

Blank Studio (Free): Starts with an empty canvas. You manually configure your location, environment, and drag-and-drop symbols to build your diagram from scratch. Offers complete creative freedom.
Express Mode (PRO): A powerful 1-click automation feature. Simply enter your project's address, and the app instantly generates a fully optimized solar and wind diagram.
NASA Climate Data Integration: Express mode automatically syncs with global satellites to fetch highly accurate, location-based wind arrows and weather data, saving 90% of setup time.

Appearance: Switch the user interface between Light and Dark mode, and change the 3D canvas Background color.
Viewport Display:
- Grid: Toggle the display of the ground measurement grid.
- Axes: Toggle the display of the 3D axes (X, Y, Z).
- Shadows: Control environment shadows (Opacity, Shadow on Note, Shadow on ground).
- Edges: Toggle the display of wireframe edges on 3D objects.
- Animation: Toggle global animations.
Workspace Defaults: Adjust the global unit (Meters or Feet) and the global 3D text size.

Add Notes: Right-click on any object and select 'Add to Note', or click the '+' button directly in the Note panel to label your diagram components.
Reposition Panel: Easily change the position of the Note panel on the screen by clicking on any of the dots within the 9-point matrix icon.

Location Search: Fully automated. Type a city or address and press Enter. The app handles coordinates and timezones instantly.
Coordinates: Enter exact Latitude and Longitude manually.
True North (North Offset): Adjust the North direction rotation. The Sunpath and the Satellite Map Background perfectly rotate together to align with your imported models.
3D Context Buildings: Automatically fetch and generate 3D building masses from OpenStreetMap based on the location. Adjust their Opacity and Color settings.

Context Map: Deeply integrated satellite and street maps scaled perfectly 1:1. Adjust Map Opacity and Map Style.
3D Terrain (Topography): Fetch and render realistic 3D elevation data that accurately casts and receives shadows.
Contour Lines: Toggle the display of 2D contour lines over the terrain. Customize the Contour Interval, Contour Count, and Line Color.

Distance Rings: Display concentric circles indicating distance scale. Adjust the Ring Dash Size for optimal viewing at different camera zoom levels.
Grid: Toggle an independent measurement square grid. Customize the grid cell size (e.g., 10m x 10m).

Import Images: Easily bring in 2D images (PNG, JPG) to use as textures, maps, or backgrounds.
Import 3D Models: Upload your own 3D models (GLB, GLTF) to integrate into the scene, perfect for showcasing your specific design project.

Show Sun path: Toggle the display of the 3D dome simulation.
Smart Timezone & DST: Timezones (UTC) and Daylight Saving Time (DST) shifts are fully automated based on your location and date.
Time of Day: A real-time slider to drag the sun and preview accurate shadows instantly.
Shadow Animation: Click to enable an automatic light simulation running from morning to evening.

Month Toggles: Selectively turn specific months of the year on or off (e.g., Solstices, Equinoxes) to keep the diagram clean.
Color Customization: Individually change the colors for distinct sun components:
- Sun Path arches
- The Sun node
- The base Compass ring

Extensive Collection: Contains abstract 3D symbols (wind arrows, compasses, storm, noise, location pins) for clean architectural diagrams.
Smart Placement: Drag and drop symbols directly onto the terrain or context buildings. They automatically align to surfaces.

Animation Types: Each dynamic symbol offers 3 distinct animation styles (Directional Wipe, Center Expand, Path Draw).
Animation Speed: Finely tune the speed of individual animations for a customized pacing.

Unified Properties Panel: Auto-expands when selecting an object to reveal all its settings.
Material & Colors: Easily adjust the colors of any object or symbol. Apply specific colors and adjust the Opacity to create ghosted context blocks or vibrant diagram highlights.
Scale & Text: Modify the precise scale of objects or edit the text content for 3D Note Pins.

Select +: Multi-Select mode. Click multiple objects sequentially without holding Shift.
Move / Rotate / Scale: Standard transform tools to adjust any object. Hold Ctrl (Cmd) while moving to duplicate objects.
Draw: Draw 2D polylines and closed polygons directly on the ground plane to create site boundaries or custom zones.

Resolution & Format: Export high-quality outputs up to 5K resolution in JPG, PDF, or VIDEO (Animation) formats.
Cinematic Video Export: Intelligent 1-second pause at both the beginning and end of the video. The sun and camera hold still while Dynamic Symbols continue animating for a polished presentation.
Rotate 360°: Snaps the camera to orbit around the site smoothly. Specify a custom Target Duration.
Hardware Acceleration: Enable this toggle to unlock maximum rendering speed for perfectly smooth videos on powerful computers.
Include On-Screen Info: Toggle to embed coordinate parameters and the legend directly into the exported image or video.