<p>After Virtual Property Architect has started you will see the main working window appear. The most important parts of this window are shown here, each described in more detail below.</p><p><img width=624 height=452 src="/help/images/help/image014.png"></p><h4>Graphics Area</h4><p>In the centre of the main window is the graphics area, where you will be able to view your scene, design and interact with your virtual property, draw a plan view and simulate walking through your landscape.</p><h4>Menu Tabs</h4><p>Across the top of the main window are a set of tabs containing buttons and options to design and manage your virtual property. Changing the menu tab shows a different set of options for each tab. Follow the links below to find out more:</p><p><img width=549 height=26 src="/help/images/help/image015.png"></p><table><tr><td><p>[Main]</p></td><td><p>Set your preferences, print and publish online</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>[Edit]</p></td><td><p>Powerful selection tools, setup your environment and location</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>[Building]</p></td><td><p>Build your house, lay patios and decks, construct walls</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>[Property]</p></td><td><p>Mark property boundary, raise and lower the ground</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>[Landscape]</p></td><td><p>Decorate the landscape with plants, outdoor furniture, and fountains</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>[Water Features]</p></td><td><p>Dig ponds and streams, build swimming pools</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>[Plan Details]</p></td><td><p>Create an annotated plan, change styles and add pictures</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>[Projects]</p></td><td><p>Create layers to hide and show, manage different projects</p></td></tr></table><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Tip: Hover the mouse over any button to get more information on its use</p><h4>Side Toolbar</h4><p>The [side toolbar] contains buttons and options that are commonly used at any time while designing your virtual property. Find out more about each of the side bar tools in more detail in the [side toolbar] section. </p><p>[image: side toolbar]</p><p>If you prefer to have the side toolbar at the right of the graphics area, use the [preferences] setting.</p><h4>Properties Panel</h4><p>At the right hand side of the main window is the properties panel. When you select or edit an object, you can change all of its properties here. You can even change properties of lots of things all at once - if they are all of the same type. Each different type of object has its own properties panel.</p><p>[image: showing the top parts of multiple property panels ñ cover flow style]</p><p>Each property panel is split up into several panes, each with a different set of related properties to change, or information to display. Use the arrows at the top of each pane to expand and collapse them.</p><p><img width=490 height=227 src="/help/images/help/image016.png"></p><p>Use the object properties panel tabs to switch between general properties and properties for the plan view style.</p><p><img width=259 height=39 src="/help/images/help/image017.png"></p><h4>Layer Tabs and Project Button</h4><p>Below the graphics area are two sets of tabs. At the right, are the [layer tabs] and in the corner, the project button. When your scene gets a bit busy, it can be useful to hide things away in different [layers] and organize sets of layers into different [projects].</p><p><img width=367 height=39 src="/help/images/help/image018.jpg"></p><h4>View Mode Tabs</h4><p>These tabs allow you to switch between perspective, plan, and walkthrough views.</p><p><img width=196 height=24 src="/help/images/help/image019.png"></p><table><tr><td><p>[Plan]</p></td><td><p>2 dimensional stylized top down view, with annotation and symbols</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>[Perspective]</p></td><td><p>3 dimensional view with full control over what and where you look at</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>[Walkthrough]</p></td><td><p>A simulated walk through, manually controlled or auto-follow a camera path</p></td></tr></table><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Tip: Check the status bar as you go along for information and guidance about using the windows, tools and features of Virtual Property Architect</p><p><img width=624 height=29 src="/help/images/help/image020.png"></p>