Arbor
The Arbor Wizard places a garden arch structure. Steps: dimensions → style → wood style.
The Arbor Wizard places a parametric garden archway — posts on both sides, an arched or flat top, and optional lattice panels — directly on your 2D canvas. Work through four steps: set the opening dimensions, choose the arch shape and lattice configuration, pick a wood treatment, then review and place. The arbor updates live in the canvas preview as you adjust each parameter, and it re-renders automatically in 3D and photoreal views.
Step 3 — Wood Style
Choose a wood finish from 8 preset cards: Fresh Pine, Pressure Treated, Oiled, Aged Grey, Aged Mossy, Painted White, Painted Dark, Charred.
Set the opening dimensions
Adjust Width (the clear span a person walks through), Depth (front-to-back thickness of the structure), and Post Height (from ground to the springing point of the arch). Use Arch Rise to control how tall the arch curves above the post tops — a higher value gives a more dramatic Gothic profile. All fields accept your project's unit system (metric or imperial).
Place the arbor on the canvas
At the bottom of the Dimensions step, click Click to Place and then click a point on the canvas to set the arbor's origin. To reposition before continuing, click Reposition and click again. The footprint snaps to other entities and the grid just like any drawing tool.
Choose the arch shape and post style
Advance to the Style step. Under Arch Type, select Flat (horizontal top beam), Rounded (semicircular), or Pointed (Gothic). Under Posts, choose Square or Round cross-section and set the number of posts to 2 (one per side) or 4 (two per side for a deeper structure). Use the Rotation field to orient the arbor to a path angle.
Configure the lattice panels
Still on the Style step, toggle Lattice Sides and Lattice Top on or off to add infill panels. Choose the lattice pattern: Diamond (diagonal criss-cross, most common), Square (horizontal and vertical grid), or Horizontal (parallel bars only). Reduce the Spacing value for a denser weave that gives more visual cover for climbing plants.
Select a wood treatment
On the Wood Style step, click one of the eight preset cards: Fresh Pine, Pressure Treated, Oiled, Aged / Greyed, Aged with Moss, Painted White, Painted Dark, or Charred. The structure and lattice material slots update independently — you can mix treatments if needed by selecting a card per material role shown at the top of the step.
Review and apply
On the Apply step, review the summary of all chosen parameters. Toggle Grade Terrain on if the ground under the arbor should be leveled to match the post bases. Click Place Arbor to commit the object to the drawing. The arbor immediately appears in 2D, 3D, and photoreal views.
Place the arbor over an existing walkway path entity so the footprint aligns with the path width. Then add climbing plants — roses, clematis, or wisteria — nearby on the canvas; in photoreal view they will frame the arch naturally.
To edit an arbor you have already placed, click it on the canvas to select it and then click Parameters in the inspector panel. The wizard reopens in re-entry mode with all your previous settings intact.
Enabling Grade Terrain flattens the ground surface under the arbor footprint. If you have carefully sculpted terrain in that area, grading will override it. Disable this option when placing the arbor on flat ground or a hardscape surface.
Key Parameters
| Name | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 1.2 m (4 ft) | Clear opening span between the inner post faces — the usable passage width. |
| Depth | 0.4 m (1.3 ft) | Front-to-back thickness of the arbor along the path direction. |
| Post Height | 2.1 m (6.9 ft) | Height from grade to the top of the posts, where the arch begins. |
| Arch Rise | 0.5 m (1.6 ft) | Additional height of the arch above the post tops. |
| Arch Type | Rounded | Top shape: Flat, Rounded (semicircular), or Pointed (Gothic). |
| Post Style | Square | Post cross-section: Square (traditional timber) or Round (decorative turned post). |
| Post Count | 2 | Number of posts: 2 (one per side) or 4 (two per side for a deeper structure). |
| Lattice Pattern | Diamond | Infill weave style: Diamond, Square, or Horizontal. |
| Lattice Spacing | 0.1 m (4 in) | Gap between lattice strips. Smaller values create a denser, more opaque panel. |
| Grade Terrain | Off | When enabled, the terrain under the footprint is leveled to a flat pad before the arbor is placed. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Flat, Rounded, and Pointed arch types?
Flat gives a clean contemporary look with a straight horizontal top beam. Rounded uses a semicircular arc — the most traditional arbor profile — and works well in cottage and formal gardens. Pointed creates a Gothic arch shape that suits more dramatic or architectural settings. All three options support lattice panels.
How is an arbor different from a pergola?
An arbor is a small walk-through archway, typically with just two or four posts and an arched or flat top. A pergola is a larger overhead structure with multiple rafters spanning a broader area. Use an arbor to frame a path entrance or garden threshold; use a pergola when you need overhead shade across a seating or dining area.
Can I change the wood finish after placing the arbor?
Yes. Select the arbor on the canvas, click Parameters in the inspector, and navigate to the Wood Style step. Choose a new preset and click Apply to update. The 3D and photoreal views refresh immediately.
Why would I use 4 posts instead of 2?
Four posts (two per side) suits deeper arbors where the passage depth is large enough that a single post per side would look undersized. The extra posts also improve the visual weight in large-scale presentation renders.
Can I rotate the arbor after placing it?
Yes. Use the Rotation field on the Style step during the wizard, or after placing the arbor select it and use the rotation handle in the 2D editor or the Rotation field in the inspector. Snapping to 45° increments is available by holding Shift while rotating.