# General Controls Master the basic navigation and interaction controls to work efficiently in the 3D Design Tool. ## Navigation Controls ### Camera Movement - **Rotate** - Left-click and drag to rotate the camera around the scene - **Pan** - Right-click and drag to move the camera horizontally/vertically - **Zoom** - Use your scroll wheel to zoom in and out - **Orbit** - The camera orbits around the center point of your scene > **Tip:** Practice moving around the scene before you start designing. Smooth camera control makes the entire design process easier. ## Selection & Interaction ### Selecting Objects Click on any element in the scene to select it: - **Polygons** - Building structures you've drawn - **Panels** - Individual solar panels - **Trees** - Tree objects for shadow analysis - **Obstructions** - Roof obstructions like vents and chimneys - **Annotations** - Markers and notes you've added ### Properties Panel When you select an object, its properties appear in the right-side panel where you can: - View detailed information - Edit properties and dimensions - Change equipment selections - Adjust positioning and orientation - Delete the object ### Context Menu Right-click on polygons in orthographic view to access quick actions like: - Edit polygon shape - Toggle canopy mode - Rotate baseline - Duplicate - Delete ## Analysis Features ### Shadow Analysis Toggle shadow visualization to see how objects cast shadows throughout the day: 1. Enable shadow analysis from the toolbar 2. Adjust time of day using the timeline slider 3. Observe how shadows affect panel placement 4. Use this to optimize panel positioning ### Shadow Heatmap Press `H` to toggle the shadow heatmap visualization: - **Red areas** - More shading (less solar access) - **Green areas** - Less shading (better solar access) - **Yellow/Orange** - Moderate shading The heatmap helps you quickly identify the best areas for panel placement. ### DSM Data Press `L` to load and toggle Digital Surface Model data: - Shows accurate elevation data - Includes buildings, trees, and terrain - Improves height modeling accuracy - Enhances shadow calculations ### Solar Production View estimated annual solar production in the PV Watts panel: - Real-time calculations as you design - Based on location, panel configuration, and shading - Displays total system size (kW DC) - Shows annual output (kWh) - Calculates system efficiency (kWh/kW) ## Reports & Export ### Generate Report Create a comprehensive PDF report with: - Design overview and renderings - System specifications - Production estimates - Equipment details - Array breakdowns ### Export BOM Generate a Bill of Materials PDF containing: - Complete equipment list - Quantities of each component - Panel and inverter specifications - Additional hardware ### Export CAD Export design data as DXF file for use in: - AutoCAD - SketchUp - Other CAD software - Engineering and permitting ## Performance Tools ### Performance Monitor Press `Ctrl+Q` to toggle the performance statistics overlay: - Frames per second (FPS) - Render time - Object count - Memory usage Use this to identify performance issues in complex designs. ### Emergency Zoom Restore If your camera gets "lost" or stuck: Press `Ctrl+Shift+Z` to restore the zoom level and camera position. ## Read-Only Mode Some projects may be in read-only mode (viewing proposals you didn't create). In this mode: - You can navigate and view the design - You cannot edit or modify anything - All interactive tools are disabled - Reports can still be generated --- **Next:** Learn how to create building structures with [[Drawing Mode]].