What is 3D Layout?
3D layout is the heart of project planning in Eturnity Expert. Here you create the visual and technical foundation of every PV project:
Model roof geometry – From simple gable roofs to complex dormers
Place panels – Optimal coverage of available roof areas
Create 3D visualization – Realistic representation for customer presentations
Establish technical basis – Foundation for profitability calculation and string design
Why is 3D layout so important? The quality of your layout directly influences:
The accuracy of the panel count and thus the system power
The persuasiveness of your offer to the customer
The efficiency of your sales process (faster planning = more offers)
The Two Modes: Basic vs. Pro
Eturnity Expert offers two different approaches to 3D layout. The choice of the right mode depends on your project and your experience.
Basic Mode: Fast 2D Planning
Ideal for:
New users who want to achieve quick initial results
Simple projects with only one covered roof area
Quick preliminary offers without on-site visit
Situations where no 3D model is needed for the customer
Advantages:
Learning curve of only 5 minutes
Planning in 2 minutes per project
Very intuitive and straightforward
Simple 2-step process
Limitations:
No 3D representation
Less suitable for multiple roof areas
No obstacles or heights; the shading analysis then only evaluates the drawn roofs
Not for complex roofs
Pro Mode: Professional 3D Planning
Ideal for:
Professional customer presentations with 3D visualization
Projects with multiple roof areas
Complex roof geometries (dormers, offsets, hipped roofs)
Final offers after on-site visit
When the shading analysis should include obstacles and heights
Advantages:
Realistic 3D model for impressive customer presentations
Automatic modeling of the entire building
Sunpath simulation in the 3D view and a shading analysis with obstacles and heights
Suitable for all roof types
Import of floor plans and 3D models possible
Learning effort:
15-20 minutes training time
3-10 minutes planning per project (after training)
Previous interface and new designer
Regardless of the mode, 3D layout comes in two interfaces. Use the New designer toggle at the top left to switch between the previous interface and the new designer. Both edit the same layout; however, some tools for placing panels are only available in one of the two.
Decision Guide: Which Mode for Which Situation?
Situation | Recommended Mode | Reason |
Simple gable roof, one roof area | Basic Mode | Sufficient for simple geometries |
Multiple roof areas | Pro Mode | Whole-building modeling is more efficient |
Complex roof with dormers | Pro Mode | Basic Mode cannot represent this |
Checking shading from obstacles or neighbouring buildings | Pro Mode | You can only draw obstacles and set heights in Pro Mode; the shading analysis itself is also available in Basic Mode |
Time pressure, minimal requirements | Basic Mode | Fastest solution |
High-quality customer project | Pro Mode | Best presentation, higher closing rate |
The Most Important Techniques and When You Need Them
Depending on your project, you'll need different techniques. Here's your guide:
For All Projects (Basics)
Select map material
Crucial for the quality of your planning
Orthophotos without distortion enable even more precise models
Germany: BKG Orthophotos
Switzerland: SwissTopo
Austria: Basemap.at
Place panels
Double-click for complete coverage (fastest method)
Draw individual panel fields for partial coverage (previous interface only; in the new designer, you place a panel with Add panel and enlarge the panel field)
Consider obstacles
→ Included in:Basic Mode article andPro Mode article
After On-Site Visit (Frequently Needed)
Draw roof areas to scale
When: You have taken precise measurements from the customer
Method 1 (recommended): Move tool for quick adjustment of existing plans
Method 2: Calculator for projected lengths when redrawing according to exact measurements
Time required: 1-2 minutes adjustment vs. 10 minutes redrawing
For Optimal Panel Coverage (Advanced)
Place panels flexibly
When: You want to optimize panel coverage and get the maximum out of every roof area
Techniques:
Trim panel fields for clean edges (previous interface only)
Copy panel fields for symmetrical areas
Adjust offset for triangular areas (5-10% more panels possible!)
Expand/reduce panel fields (in the new designer, using the corner handles; to enlarge, also via the ghost panels or with the Extend panel field icon)
Split panel fields (previous interface only)
Time required: 2-5 minutes of optimization can yield several more panels
For Complex Buildings (Advanced)
Model complex roofs and dormers
When: The building has dormers, roof offsets, or complex roof shapes
Key concept: Understand and correctly apply split roof edges
3 critical success factors:
Optimal map material (even more important for complex roofs!)
Symmetrical drawing with snap functions
Mark split roof edges correctly
Time required: 10-15 minutes depending on complexity
→ Article:Modeling Complex Roofs and Dormers
Common Challenges and Where to Find Help
"I'm new and don't know where to start"
→ Start with the Basic Mode article. In 5 minutes you can plan your first project. When you want more, upgrade to Pro Mode.
"My 3D model looks crooked or wrong"
→ Two common causes:
Not drawn symmetrically: Check your floor plan, use snap functions
Forgot split roof edges: For dormers or offsets, certain edges must be marked as "split" → Complex Roofs article
"I can't get enough panels on the roof"
→ Read the "Placing Panels Flexibly" article. Especially the "Adjust offset" technique can enable 5-10% more panels, particularly on triangular areas.
"The preliminary offer had 30 panels, after the on-site visit only 25 fit"
→ This happens when the measurements from the satellite image differ. Use the "Roof Areas to Scale" article to incorporate precise measurements. Avoid excessive expectations in the preliminary offer.
"Planning takes too long for me"
→ Optimize your workflow:
Preliminary offers: Basic Mode instead of Pro Mode (3 min. instead of 10 min.)
Learn keyboard shortcuts: Ctrl+C/V for copy, Shift for temporary tools
Obstacles first: Drawing before panel coverage saves time
Use double-click: Fastest method for initial coverage
"Customer wants to see the 3D model, but I planned in Basic Mode"
→ You can switch to Pro Mode at any time. Your previous work is not lost. Simply switch modes and model the building in Pro Mode (only takes 5-10 minutes).
"I want to plan a PV system on a façade"
→ A façade cannot be drawn in the 3D panel layout or shown as a façade in the offer. However, you can calculate the yield of a façade system with a panel field that is set up as follows:
Using the Roof tool (new designer: Draw roof, in Basic Mode the Building switch), draw a roof surface to the dimensions of the façade with an Inclination of 0°. Fill it with panels by double-clicking with the Panel field tool (new designer: Place panels, in Basic Mode the Panels switch), initially with a Standard system as the Mounting system. Under Panel layout (previous interface: Panel placement), set the orientation of the panels, Horizontal or Vertical, as they will hang on the façade. Also set the roof's margin, 200 mm by default, to the distance the panels should keep from the edge of the façade: in Pro Mode with Safety margins (previous interface: icon with the tooltip Margin tool), in Basic Mode on the selected roof. Note the number of panels that this panel field's sidebar now shows: that is how many fit on the façade, and you enter this number in step 5.
In the same panel field, choose the entry “Standard / Fassade” under Mounting system. If it is missing, an administrator adds it under Library › Components via Add from component database, provided your licence allows this.
Enter 89° as the Panel inclination, not 90°: Eturnity Expert turns that into 0° without notice.
Under Panel field rotation, set the compass direction of the façade: 0° north, 90° east, 180° south, 270° west.
Finally, manually set the number of panels noted in step 1: in the new designer under Overwrite properties › Number of panels › Enter manually, in the previous interface with Overwrite number of panels manually. Do not change the panel field after that: in the previous interface, moving it, dragging its corners or edges and changes to the roof reset the count without notice; in the new designer, Fit to the roof border, Fit to panels and dragging the corners in Edit fitting panels do so.
All of this works in Basic Mode as well as in Pro Mode.
Video Training Center
All techniques are also explained visually in the Video Training Center. Especially helpful if you prefer watching over reading:
The Video Training Center contains:
Step-by-step video instructions
Practical examples
Visual demonstration of all tools
Tips and tricks from experienced planners
All Articles at a Glance
Beginner Level
Basic Mode: Fast 2D Planning for Simple Projects
Your entry into PV planning. Learn the 2-step process for quick preliminary offers.Pro Mode: Professional 3D Planning for Realistic Customer Presentations
Create impressive 3D models. The 5-step process for professional offers.
Advanced
Drawing and Adjusting Roof Areas to Scale
Implement precise measurements from the on-site visit. Two proven methods for maximum accuracy.Placing Panels Flexibly: Techniques and Best Practices
Optimize your panel coverage. 7 techniques to get the maximum out of every roof area.Modeling Complex Roofs and Dormers
Master demanding geometries. Understand and use the concept of split roof edges.