The Mass option in the Draw tool creates simple 3D building forms directly on the canvas. It is designed for early-stage feasibility studies and option testing, such as podium-and-tower configurations, setbacks, mixed-height schemes and extensions to existing buildings. Massings are built from vertical sections, each with its own height, allowing different building forms to be tested and key floor-space metrics to be calculated.

Using the Massing tool

1. Select the Draw icon in the left-hand workflow bar, then select Mass.
2. Under Draw mode, select Custom.
3. Under Placement lock, select the plane on which to place footprint points.
4. If required, enable Surface snap to draw onto existing buildings.
5. Click the canvas to place each point of the footprint, then close the footprint to create the massing.

Massing options

When Mass is selected in the Draw tool, a panel opens with the settings used to create a massing footprint. These control the draw mode, placement plane and snapping behaviour.

• Draw mode: Custom draws a footprint point by point, allowing different shapes to be created. Other draw modes may appear in the panel but are not currently available.
• Placement lock: Controls the plane on which footprint points are placed. Flat places points on a horizontal plane and is selected by default.
• Surface snap: Snaps footprint points to the surfaces of existing buildings, allowing a massing to be drawn on top of an existing building to test a height extension.

Drawing the footprint

While drawing, the distance and angle of the current line are shown. Press F2 to type an exact distance, Ctrl + Z to undo the last point, Shift to use Context Snap and Ctrl to use Global Snap.

Sections

Sections divide a massing into vertical blocks that can each have a different height. Select a face of the massing to create a section, then drag the section to adjust its position. To delete a section, select its edge and press Backspace.

Section heights and storeys

Select a section and drag it up or down to change its height. The storey count is displayed while dragging. When a massing is selected, faint horizontal lines mark each storey level. Hovering over a massing shows the storey count for each section.

Edges and dimensions

Select an edge and drag it to adjust its position. Edges can be moved freely or constrained to the current base edge, and can snap to 90° angles relative to adjacent edges.

To set an exact dimension, select a face to display the dimension labels along its edges. Select a label and enter a measurement, for example, 45.5 m. The massing adjusts to match the specified dimension.

Overhangs

A section cannot extend beyond the footprint of the section below it. If a section is dragged beyond this limit, it is highlighted in red. To create an overhang or cantilever, use two separate massings stacked on top of each other.

Massing metrics

The properties panel displays indicative floor-area metrics for the selected massing:

• GEA (Gross External Area): The total floor area measured to the outside of the external walls, including the wall thickness.
• GIA (Gross Internal Area): The total floor area measured to the internal face of the external walls, including internal walls, columns and other structural areas.
• NIA (Net Internal Area): The usable internal floor area, excluding areas such as structural walls, stairwells, lift shafts and certain service areas.
• GFA (Gross Floor Area): The total floor area calculated according to the applicable measurement definition, which may vary depending on the planning authority or standard used.

These metrics support early-stage feasibility testing and scheme comparisons. The figures are indicative, and actual floor areas may differ once a detailed building design is developed.

Managing massings

Each massing appears as a named element in the Scene Manager, where it can be renamed, duplicated, deleted or hidden. Duplicating a massing allows different scheme options to be compared side by side.

Selecting a massing opens its properties panel. For more information, see Properties panel.

Limitations

Massings are built from whole vertical sections, so individual floor plates cannot be edited independently. Sloped, tapered and curved forms are not supported, and imported models cannot be edited with this tool. Massings are created on a flat horizontal plane, so sloped sites and below-ground floors are not currently supported.