Pergola Wizard
The Pergola Wizard creates an open-roof pergola. Set the footprint size and click to place on the canvas, then configure height, beams, slats, and wood finish in the sidebar.
Start the Pergola Wizard from the Add Object panel. Set the structure dimensions in the sidebar and click on the canvas to place the pergola. The sidebar shows four configuration steps: Height & Posts, Beams, Slats, and Wood Style.
Step 2 — Beams
Set the direction that the main structural beams run across the pergola — either spanning the width or the length. Configure beam cross-section width and thickness.
Step 3 — Slats
Configure the top slats (cross members above the beams): set slat width, thickness, spacing between slats, and overhang at each end. Closer spacing gives more shade.
Step 4 — Wood Style
Choose a wood finish from 8 preset cards: Fresh Pine, Pressure Treated, Oiled, Aged Grey, Aged Mossy, Painted White, Painted Dark, Charred. Weathering and Moss Coverage sliders fine-tune the appearance.
Configure the beams
In the Beams step, choose whether the main beams span the width or the length of the footprint using the direction toggle. Set Beam Width and Beam Thickness to match your design intent — wider, thicker beams suit a heavier timber look, while narrower ones suit a lighter contemporary style. The canvas preview redraws the full beam layout live with each change.
Configure the slats
In the Slats step, set Slat Width, Slat Thickness, Slat Spacing (gap between adjacent slats), and Overhang (how far each slat extends beyond the outermost beam at both ends). Decreasing the spacing gives denser shade coverage; increasing it creates a more open, decorative look. The total slat count updates automatically in the preview.
Choose the wood style
In the Wood Style step, select one of the eight preset finish cards: Fresh Pine, Pressure Treated, Oiled, Aged / Greyed, Aged with Moss, Painted White, Painted Dark, or Charred. Use the Weathering slider to add surface grey and cracking, and the Moss Coverage slider to blend in green growth. The same finish is applied consistently to posts, beams, and slats.
Review and apply
The final Apply step shows a summary of the footprint dimensions, post count, beam count, and slat count. Click Apply to commit the pergola to the drawing as a parametric entity. The pergola appears in both the 2D plan and the 3D view. To revisit any settings later, select the pergola on the canvas and click Parameters in the Inspector to re-open the wizard.
For a classic shading look, aim for a slat spacing roughly equal to the slat width — this balances light and shadow evenly across the covered area. Halving the spacing creates near-full shade; doubling it gives an open decorative feel.
If you need a pergola with adjustable louvers that open and close, use the Louvered Pergola wizard instead. The standard Pergola Wizard produces fixed parallel slats only.
Editing the footprint shape in the wizard after placing posts and beams resets the post layout. If you have made detailed adjustments to the Height & Posts step, note those values before changing the footprint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an irregular or curved footprint for the pergola?
Yes. In the Footprint step, switch the footprint type to Custom Polygon and click points on the canvas to define the outline. Alternatively, draw or select any closed polyline or bezier shape on the canvas before opening the wizard — the wizard will adopt it as the pergola footprint.
How do I get more shade from the pergola?
Reduce the Slat Spacing value in the Slats step so slats sit closer together. Setting spacing equal to or less than the slat width produces dense shade. For a fully adjustable roof, use the Louvered Pergola wizard instead.
How do I edit the pergola after placing it?
Select the pergola on the canvas or in the Hierarchy panel, then click Parameters in the Inspector. The wizard reopens at the Footprint step with all previous settings intact. Work through to Apply to commit the changes.
Can I apply different wood finishes to the posts, beams, and slats separately?
The Wood Style step applies one finish consistently across all three structural elements (posts, beams, and slats). For per-element material overrides, select the placed pergola and use the Materials section of the Inspector to assign individual surface materials.
Why do posts appear only at the corners and not at regular intervals along the edges?
Post placement is calculated automatically from the footprint shape and default spacing rules. For a rectangular footprint you can increase the number of intermediate posts by adjusting the Post Spacing field in the Height & Posts step. For a polygon footprint, posts are placed at each vertex plus intermediate positions along longer edges.