Homeowners and renovators: quick reference
For people planning a renovation, an extension or a new layout at home. 7 lessons, 25 min. Full steps and pictures: getplotlay.com/learn/homeowners/
| # | Lesson | How |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Measure a room and type it in4 min | Room › Type measurements: walls in order round the room, leave the last blank to close it, Ceiling height › Place on the map. |
| 2 | Draw a room to size3 min | Draw a room › click the first corner › point, type 4.2 Enter for each wall › Enter closes › name it. Point first, then type. |
| 3 | Show the house before and after4 min | Select the house › More settings › Existing (to remain). Layers: tick Designing. Draw the new work › Current, Proposed, Both. |
| 4 | Walk through your plan in 3D3 min | 3D › Walk. Click in the view, W A S D to move, Shift runs, Esc frees the pointer. Missing walls? A layer may be hidden. |
| 5 | Change things in the 3D view4 min | 3D › click an item › Size and place: type sizes, move or turn it, or drag it and its handles. Replace with swaps it; posts are set one by one. |
| 6 | Compare design options4 min | Room › Design options › Add set. Put each differing item in an option with Design option; pick the option to show. The room stays in every option. |
| 7 | Share your plan with family or a builder3 min | No account needed for them: Export › Printable PDF, or Share › Links › Make link (signed in). Turn off ends a link. |
Words: Workspace: Site, Building, Capture or Documents in the top bar. A workspace changes which tools come first; it never hides anything in the project. Phase (existing, proposed, demolish): Whether something is there now and stays (existing), is new work (proposed) or is coming out (existing, to be removed). Plans, 3D and documents show Current, Proposed or Both from it. Layer: A group of things in a project, listed in the Layers tab. A hidden layer is left out of the plan, 3D and documents until you show it again. Joinery (bench run): Built-in cabinetry along a wall, such as a kitchen or laundry bench with base cupboards, drawers and handles. Plotlay draws it on plans, elevations and in 3D. Library: The shelves of real-sized things you can place: furniture, fit-out, appliances, plants, site items. Drag from the Library tab or search for it. Fit-out: The fixed things that go into a room: vanities, toilets, kitchen runs, appliances, lights and joinery. Fit-out is placed against a wall and built in 3D.
Plotlay · app.plotlay.io · Search any tool with Ctrl+K (Cmd+K on a Mac). Checked in the app on 14 October 2026.