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Visual Planner Customer Support:
Email: support@animatedvision.com
Tel: 1.866.529.3920 X2

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Navigational Tools
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Design Tools
System Tools

FAQ

Designing an Office:

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Please note: Visual Planner usability on Macs cannot be guaranteed because of the large number of operating system and browser configurations.

The Visual Planner home page contains two buttons to access the system. The Public Area button is intended for unregistered users and is designed to serve as a lead generation tool while protecting the system from unauthorized use. The Dealer Area button allows registered users to login to the system in order to start a new design OR load a previously saved office layout.

When entering the system through the Dealer Area, you will be presented with a Log In page, allowing you to log in to the system using your previously selected Username (email) and Password. Once logged in, you can select to "Start a Design from Scratch" or "Retrieve a Previously Saved Session".

Please note: When retrieving a design you can either select a session from the provided list or manually enter a session number.

Step Navigation: Once inside the system, you can simply navigate between the sections by clicking BACK or NEXT button.

  1. Step 1 Walls: Create, modify, delete and resize design area. Add Interior Walls, as well as, Doors & Windows.
  2. Step 2 Design: Access available products and lay them out in your space. Specify finish or fabric options for your products.
  3. Step 3 Accessories: Browse through available Accessories by manufacturer name or product lines and add them to your order.
  4. Step 4 Quote: Review or print detailed bill of materials. Add additional items to your quote if needed.

Select a pre-designed room shape or draw their own from scratch. Initial room measurements can be changed later on if necessary.

If using one of the pre-designed room shapes, the walls will be already in place after you click the continue button. In contrast, when drawing a room from scratch, you will automatically start in the "Draw Mode" where you can trace the layout of your walls by setting points on the design grid. Tutorial

Note: General Room Elements such as columns, heating/cooling elements and electrical symbols can be found in the Room Elements category in the Products drop-down menus in Step 2 Design.

 

Drawing Tools allows users to modify the shape and size of their room.

DRAW Toolbox:
Used to place Interior Walls, as well as Doors and Windows.
  Single/Multi-Wall: Draw single or continuous (multi-section) wall segment(s). There is also an option to adjust the thickness of Interior Walls.
 
  Draw Windows: Click and drag the cursor along a wall to create a window. Release when the desired width is reached. Window height and floor-to-sill distance can be set in the window options popup. Delete a window by clicking on it (while the Draw Window button is activated). Tutorial
  Draw Doors: Click and drag your cursor along a wall to create a door. You can go up or down from your starting point or move the cursor slightly to the left/right of the wall to change the direction of your door swing. Release when desired door width and swing direction is reached. Door height can be set in the door options popup. Delete a door by clicking on it (while the Draw Door button is activated). Tutorial
EDIT Toolbox:
A variety of new tools have been added to simplify the editing of walls. Tutorial
   
  Wall Thickness: Adjust the thickness of existing interior walls. Select the wall(s) first before changing the thickness.
   
  Delete Selection: Delete individual wall segments.
  Delete All: Interior Walls: Remove all interior walls (exterior walls will remain).
  Delete All: Exterior Walls: Remove all exterior walls (interior walls will remain).
   
  Resize Grid: Change the dimensions of the area you are currently planning.
      Reduce Grid Size: Reducing the size of your space will automatically remove all the walls AND products.Tutorial
      Increase Grid Size: Increasing the size will not affect any products you may have placed on the floor plan. Simply adjust your walls to the new size.Tutorial
     

In Step 2: Design, you will be able to browse through available products in the system and start laying them out in your space. Tutorial

 

Product Pull-Down Menus: Start here to access all available products in the system. Pull-Down Menus may look different based on different Visual Planner setups.
Note: All lists available through the drop-down menus are sorted alphabetically.

Advanced Menus:

First: Choose whether to search by Manufacturer or Product Index.

Select Manufacturer: List of available manufacturers. A selection here is required to view available options in the next menu.

Select a Product Series: List of available collections for the manufacturer selected in the previous menu. Note: The product library opens automatically once you select a collection from this menu.

or
 

Select a Product Category: of available product types (regardless of the manufacturer). A selection here is required to view available options in the next menu.

Select Manufacturer/Series: List of available manufacturer(s) and their collections that fall within the category selected in the previous menu. Note: The product library opens automatically once you select a collection from this menu.

 

Basic Menus:

Product Series: Each category is further broken down into specific product options or sizes.

 


Viewport Tools: allows users to navigate in planning area and manipulate products.

3D/BACK: The 3D button displays an isometric 3D preview of the floor plan. Back returns you to the plan view. Tutorial
Measure/Reset: Measure distances with a tape measure tool. Use Reset to delete current measurements from the screen. Simply click the Measure button again to turn it off and hide your measurements. Measurements can be printed if left on the screen while printing floor plan. Tutorial
Zoom In/Out/Reset: Zoom in, out, or reset the room area.Tutorial


 

Product Tools: Perform specific operations on the selected product.

Rotate: Rotates the current product selected.
Information: Provides specific information about the current product selected.
Delete: Deletes the current product selected.
Configure: Allows user to add products (such as pedestals) below the main product if options are available.Tutorial
Copy: Allows User to select one or multiple items and copy them. The duplicated item/group will retain all the original choices made including finish, added Pedestals below work surfaces, etc.Tutorial

Specify: Allows users to preview and select available Finish/Fabric options. Simply select an item on the floor plan and click the Specify button to access this page. Finish/Fabric options are shown on a sample arrangement from the selected collection. Any choices made here will be applied to the entire collection. Please also note, for your convenience, your last choice made on this page also applies to new items dragged from the library. Tutorial

Snap On/Off: The Snap tool indicates the location where two items would "snap" together (green line or X) when you move them close to each other. You can turn the Snap tool off, by clicking on the highlighted Snap button, if you need to place items close to each other without connecting them together. Tutorial

Note: The Snap tool is activated by default when starting a design (box is highlighted).

The accessory section allows users to browse through available items (such as ergonomic products, door kits, etc.) not found inside the design section and enter the desired quantity to be added to the order. Tutorial

The quote screen contains a detailed bill of materials. All product information such as, SKU#, Finish, Quantity and Prices are tracked here as soon as items are placed on the floor plan. Tutorial

Note: To provide you with greater flexibility, most Visual Planner systems allow registered user to edit product information directly on the quote page. This option allows you to visually represent existing furniture in a space while making necessary adjustments or entries on this page.

Features: Depending on your Visual Planner system, all or some of the following functionality is available.

- Check boxes: Hide column content from your quote before printing or sharing the project.

- Add New Item: Add "blank lines" to the Quote in order to include items not included in your Visual Planner library.

- Discount (%) field: Option to discount each individual SKU. Simply enter a percentage by which you would like the List Price to be discounted. The new price is automatically calculated and shown as the new Sell Price.

- Print: You can print your Quote directly from this page while the 2D/3D drawings are available for print under the File/Print menu.

There are also fields to enter Sales Tax as well as Design, Delivery and Installation Fee. Sub-totals as well as the grand total are calculated automatically. Additionally, any/all information entered on this page is saved along with the design when saving a session.

Note: Only registered users have the ability to interact with the Quote and make entries on this page.


System Tools

1. Open: Used to start a new session and/or retrieve a previously saved session without the need to restart the system or entry of log-in information. (Registered Users Only.)
2. Export:This option is used to export the data from the Quote page (bill of materials) into either a ".csv" or ".sif" format in order to avoid a manual entry into an Order Entry System (OES). (Registered Users Only) The ".csv" (comma separated values) format is commonly used in various databases as well as Spreadsheet Analysis software, such as Microsoft Excel. The ".sif" (Standard Interchange Format) format used in GIZA can be read by many OES such as DDMS(Tutorial), Britannia(Tutorial) and Ensite PRO among others.
Please Note: When using the Export feature, you are ONLY exporting the data available in Visual Planner such as, Manufacturer Name, SKU number, List Price and Sell Prices (entered or changed in the Quote). Animated Vision does NOT have access to and cannot guarantee any future integration between the data from Visual Planner and your Order Entry System.
3. Save: Command allows users to save a current office layout design. Designs are given a unique session number that can be used to retrieve them in the future. (Registered Users Only.)
4. Save As: Allows users to save a copy of the current office layout design as a new session number. (Registered Users Only.)
5. Print: Command allows users to print the plan view (2D drawing) and the 3D view of current design. Please note that the Bill of Materials (Quote) is printed directly from the Quote page. (Registered Users Only.) Tutorial
6. Share: Allows users to share their design with others. When sharing a project with an unregistered user (i.e. potential customer), the recipient of the Share email will also receive a temporary password in order to be able to retrieve the design. For a more detailed description of the Share Feature see the FAQ section. (Registered Users Only.)
Please Note: Designs can only be shared with one email address at a time.
7. Restart: Command allows users to log out of the system and either start a new layout or log back in to work on previous designs. Please note: If multiple users are using the same computer station to access the system, each user should restart after they complete a session and leave the station.
Contact Us: Command allows users to contact the designated administrator with their project or order questions. This feature serves as a lead generation tool and automatically saves customers' sessions prior to forwarding the contact request.

Tools

1. Search: This search feature (accessible through the new TOOLS Menu) allows you to enter a SKU number in order to find its exact location.
Start typing the sku, then choose the exact sku from the list.  
Products found in STEP 2 DESIGN will show Manufacturer/Collection Name, as well as the Product Category. With this information, you will then use the Product Dropdown Menus to locate the product.  

Your SKU search, in some instances, may lead to items, such as Pedestals and Lateral Files that are designed to be placed below a work surface. In those cases, the Manufacturer/Collection Name will point you to the modular collection(s) in which you can find Desks, Credenzas, Returns or Bridges that may accept them below their work surface.

Once you find the item, you would like to place a pedestal or other storage options under, simply drag it onto your floor plan and click the CONFIGURE button, and select the appropriate storage item. For additional information on Configuration process, please see CONFIGURE section above.

 
Products found the in STEP 3 ACCESSORIES will show Manufacturer/Collection Name. With this information, you will then use the Product Dropdown Menus in STEP 3 to locate the product.  

2. Text: The new Text Tool is located under the "Tools" menu along with the Search feature.

When selected, the Text tool will open the "Text Editor" where all entries and formatting changes are made.

Please also note the "Hide all text" option, which allows you to generate a print out without the text previously entered if desired.

Once the Text Editor is closed, users will be able to move, rotate, duplicate and delete the text just like furniture items.Tutorial
Edit Text: Opens the "Text Editor" where text and formatting changes are made. Tutorial

 


FAQ

  1. I am having difficulties drawing Doors and Windows. What am I doing wrong? When approaching a wall in the DRAW Doors/Windows mode, you will notice that the cursor changes to a star shape. If having difficulties drawing doors/windows, you may be moving the cursor too far out over the width of the wall. Simply bring back the cursor inside the space so that you can clearly see the star shape. Tutorial
  2. Where can I find pedestals to use below my worksurface? Instead of looking for those items in the general product library, you can find them inside the Configuration page for each desk, credenza, return or bridge (if applicable) within the modular collections. This is not only a short-cut but also guarantees that you will be working with correct options for that specific product. To access those storage options, simply drag your desk or credenza onto the floor plan and click the 'Configure' button associated with them. Once on the Configuration page, you will be represented with all available AND correct storage options that can be placed below the work surface. For additional information on Configuration process, please see the CONFIGURE section.Tutorial
  3. Why do all my products change to the same color? Finish/Fabric selections made in the color selection screen will be applied to the entire collection you are currently working with. Individual color selections for the same collection must be made outside of the system.
  4. How do I move, rotate, or delete more than one product at a time? Hold down your left mouse button and draw a selection area that contains all or part of any products you want to move together. An outline will appear as you draw. When you release, all of the products selected will be grouped within red brackets. You can move, rotate, or delete all of these products at one time. To cancel this group, simply on the grid in an area away from the group and it will become separate products again. Tutorial
  5. How do I share my design? The Share feature can be accessed under the File menu on the upper right corner of the system interface. In case of unregistered users (i.e. Customers), recipients of a Share Email will also receive the required login information in form a temporary (21 days) password along with instruction on how to login and retrieve a design. Tutorial
  6. Why can't I use any of the commands under File, such as Save, Print, Share, etc.? If you are having difficulties accessing the features listed under the File menu, you must have entered the system through the "Public Area". See the following 2 scenarios for next steps:
    • If you are a registered user, simply restart the system and enter the system with your email address and password through the "Dealer Login" area. Please contact the Visual Planner Administrator for your account and ask for the "Staff Registration Link" if you have not yet registered.
    • If you are NOT a registered user, you should follow the prompts (when accessing any of the advanced features) and submit the "Contact Request" form, which will automatically save your project. Once received, the dealership, whose system you used, has the ability to provide you with the required login information to access your project and use any/all of the advance functions. NOTE: You will receive this information via a "Share Email". For details on how to access the system using temporary login information, see Question 4 above.
  7. Can I generate a PDF from the available print pages? Yes. You can use any third-party PDF maker software, such as Adobe Acrobat or CutePDF Writer (Free Download under: http://www.cutepdf.com/Products/CutePDF/writer.asp) for this purpose. With a PDF maker software installed, proceed to the Print page of Visual Planner, simply select the view you would like to turn into a PDF and click the Print button located below the 3 views. When your printer selection window opens, simply scroll through your available options and select a PDF Maker Software instead of your default printer. Next, select a file name and a location where you would like to save the PDF. Tutorial
  8. How do I remove the website and date/time stamp from my printouts?
    • In Internet Explorer: Go to File/Page Setup. On the following menu, simply erase the Header and Footer information.
    • In Mozilla: Go to File/Page Setup. In the Margins&Header/Footer tab, make all Header & Footer choices BLANK.
  9. Where do I find generic elements such as Columns for my design? Columns, Cooling and Heating Elements as well as Electrical symbols can be found in the second drop-down menu in Step 2-Design under the "ROOM ELEMENTS" category. The ROOM ELEMENTS category is always available regardless of the selection made in your first drop-down menu.
    Please Note: Once placed on the floor plan, Columns and Heating/Cooling Elements will appear in the 3D-view while Electrical symbols for the switches/outlets, etc. are only meant to enable the user to mark the walls as a reminder in the Plan-view (2D).
    New Room Elements: New electrical and mechanical symbols (such as cooling vents, radiators, etc.) are now available under the “ROOM ELEMENTS” category. We are happy to receive your ideas for future additions to this list.
  10. Why doesn't my company's logo appear in the Visual Planner? Please contact the administrative contact for Visual Planner at your company if your system does not show your logo. The logo can be uploaded by your administrator at any time. You can also contact Animated Vision directly with any questions in this regard.

STILL NEED ASSISTANCE?
Please contact Animated Vision. Email support@visual-planner.com or Call 1.866.529.3920 X2

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