Fence Wizard
The Fence Wizard builds a fence along a drawn path. Steps: draw path → style preset → height and spacing → posts → gates → wood style.
The Fence Wizard generates a fully parametric fence from a path you draw in the 2D editor. Pick from three infill styles — Picket, Horizontal Slats, or Privacy Screen — then dial in the height, picket or slat spacing, post cross-section, and optional gates. A final Wood Style step applies a photoreal finish ranging from fresh-cut pine to charred timber. The fence updates live in the 3D view as you adjust each setting, so you can validate the look before placing it.
Step 3 — Height and Spacing
Set the overall fence height and the spacing between pickets or slats. Panel length (the distance between posts) can also be adjusted.
Step 4 — Posts
Configure post size (width and depth), post cap style, and whether corner and end posts differ from mid-span posts.
Step 5 — Gates
Add gates at specific locations along the fence by clicking to place them. Set gate width and swing direction.
Reducing the gap to zero on the Picket or Horizontal Slats presets creates a near-solid panel. Use Privacy Screen for a truly solid infill — it uses a different board-joining calculation that avoids micro-gaps.
Step 6 — Wood Style
Choose a wood finish from 8 preset cards: Fresh Pine, Pressure Treated, Oiled, Aged Grey, Aged Mossy, Painted White, Painted Dark, Charred. Weathering and Moss Coverage sliders fine-tune the selected preset.
Add and position gates
Gates are optional. Click Add Gate to create a new gate entry, then click Click to Place and tap the fence path in the canvas where the gate opening should start. Alternatively, type an exact distance from the start of the path into the position field. For each gate, set the Gate Width, Hinge Side (left or right), and Swing Direction (inward or outward). The preview shows the gate leaf as a swept arc. Gates that overlap each other or extend beyond the path end are flagged with an inline error.
Apply a wood finish
The Wood Style step shows eight finish cards: Fresh Pine, Pressure Treated, Oiled, Aged / Greyed, Aged with Moss, Painted White, Painted Dark, and Charred. Click a card to apply its photoreal material. Use the Weathering slider to add surface aging and the Moss Coverage slider to introduce organic staining. When satisfied, click Place Fence to commit the object to the drawing.
For a painted timber look, choose Painted White or Painted Dark in the Wood Style step, then drag the Weathering slider slightly right to add subtle peeling and grain texture — it reads more realistically in photo renders than a perfectly flat coat.
You can re-open the wizard at any time by selecting the fence in the 2D editor and clicking Parameters in the inspector. All six steps are available for re-editing, including moving gate positions and changing the style preset.
Switching the style preset in step 2 after you have already configured custom spacing in step 3 will reset the spacing values to that preset's defaults. Finish the style choice before fine-tuning dimensions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the three fence style presets and how do they differ?
Picket uses vertical boards separated by a configurable gap, with a choice of flat or pointed board tips. Horizontal Slats stacks horizontal boards with a gap between each slat, giving a modern louvered look. Privacy Screen butts vertical boards tightly together to form a solid panel with no visible gaps — the highest screening option.
Can the fence follow a curved or diagonal boundary?
Yes. In the Path step, switch the drawing mode to Bezier to draw smooth curves with full handle control, or to Arc to define a single circular arc through three points. Posts are automatically distributed evenly along the curved path.
How do I control where posts are placed along the fence?
The Panel Span field in the Posts step sets the on-center distance between posts. The wizard calculates the number of panels that fit the path length and places posts accordingly. Corner points in the path always receive a post regardless of the span setting.
Can I add more than one gate?
Yes — click Add Gate as many times as needed. Each gate is independently positioned, sized, and configured for hinge side and swing direction. Gates that overlap or exceed the path length show a red error indicator until corrected.
How do the wood style presets affect the 3D view and AI renders?
Each preset applies a photoreal material with distinct base color, roughness, and surface texture. The Weathering and Moss Coverage sliders modify the surface further. In the 3D editor the material updates immediately. In AI photo renders, the chosen finish directly influences the output image's surface quality and color temperature.