2D Design Tools

Overview

The 2D design canvas is where you'll do most of your garden planning work. Garden Sketchbook provides powerful tools for precise plant placement, selection, grouping, and manipulation. The 2D view offers a bird's-eye perspective that's perfect for planning layout and spatial relationships.

Design Modes

Garden Sketchbook has three primary modes that determine how your mouse interacts with the canvas. Understanding these modes is essential for efficient garden design.

Select Mode (S)

The default mode for working with existing plants. Use Select Mode to choose, move, and modify plants you've already placed.

• Single Selection: Click any plant to select it
• Multiple Selection: Drag to create a selection rectangle around multiple plants
• Move Plants: Drag selected plants to new positions
• Plant Identification: Click any plant to see its name in a tooltip

Add Mode (A)

Switch to Add Mode when you want to place new plants in your garden. This mode requires you to first select a plant from the library.

• Plant Preview: See a size circle showing mature plant dimensions
• Continuous Placement: Click multiple times to place several plants

Pan Mode (Space)

Navigate around your garden canvas without accidentally selecting or moving plants. Ideal for large gardens where you need to scroll frequently.

• Click and Drag: Move around the canvas view
• Safe Navigation: No risk of accidentally modifying plants

Plant Placement Techniques

Strategic Placement

Effective garden design starts with thoughtful plant placement:

• Start with Structure: Place largest plants (trees, shrubs) first to establish the garden framework
• Use the Grid: Grid squares represents 1 square foot (30.5cm x 30.5cm) to help with plant spacing and scale
• Consider Mature Size: The line graphic shows full-grown plant spread
• Plan for Access: Leave pathways between planted areas for maintenance

Placement Best Practices

• Group in Odd Numbers: Place perennials in groups of 3, 5, or 7
• Create Natural Clusters: Avoid perfectly straight lines (unless you're intentionally planting in a formal style)
• Layer by Height: Tall plants in back, short plants in front

Selection Tools

Single Plant Selection

Click any plant to select it individually:

• Visual Highlight: Selected plants have a square colored border
• Plant Actions: Copy or delete selected plants using the toolbar or keyboard shortcuts

Multiple Plant Selection

Use rectangle selection for working with multiple plants:

1. Click and drag on empty canvas to start selection rectangle
2. Drag to encompass the plants you want to select
3. Release to select all plants within the rectangle
4. Selected plants can be moved, copied, or grouped together

Selection Management

• Add to Selection: Hold Shift while clicking to add plants to current selection
• Remove from Selection: Hold Shift and click selected plants to deselect
• Clear Selection: Click on empty canvas to deselect all plants
• Select All: Use Ctrl/Cmd + A to select all plants in the garden

Grouping and Organization

Creating Plant Groups

Group related plants together for easier management and consistent spacing. Groups are perfect for plant collections that should move together:

1. Select multiple plants by dragging a selection rectangle around them, or hold Shift while clicking on multiple plants
2. Use Ctrl/Cmd + G or click the Group button in the toolbar
3. The grouped plants now move as a single unit
4. Groups maintain relative spacing between plants

Working with Groups

• Move Groups: Drag any plant in the group to move the entire group
• Group Selection: Clicking one plant selects the entire group
• Visual Indicators: Plants in the same group share a subtle background color

Ungrouping Plants

When you need to modify individual plants within a group:

• Select the group you want to ungroup
• Use Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + G or click the Ungroup button
• Plants become individually selectable again
• Original spacing and positions are preserved

Group Management Tips

• Same Species Groups: Group identical plants for easy mass placement
• Design Element Groups: Group plants that form design features (hedges, borders)
• Seasonal Groups: Group plants with similar bloom times or care needs
• Temporary Groups: Create groups for copying, then ungroup for individual editing

Copy and Paste Operations

Basic Copy and Paste

1. Select the plant(s) or group(s) you want to copy
2. Use Ctrl/Cmd + C or click the Copy button
3. Use Ctrl/Cmd + V or click the Paste button
4. Drag the copied plant to place it

Navigation and View Controls

Zoom & Pan Controls

Navigate efficiently through gardens of any size:

• Zoom In/Out: Use toolbar buttons or mouse wheel
• Pan Mode: Switch to pan mode (Space key) for click-and-drag navigation
• Fit to View: Reset zoom to see entire garden
• Keyboard Shortcuts: Ctrl/Cmd + + and Ctrl/Cmd + - for quick zoom adjustment

Advanced Design Techniques

Strategic Planting Order

1. Start with Structure: Place trees and large shrubs first
2. Add Framework Plants: Add medium shrubs and perennial anchors
3. Fill with Perennials: Place seasonal perennials and flowering plants
4. Finish with Details: Add bulbs, annuals, and special accent plants

Creating Natural Arrangements

• Triangular Groupings: Arrange plants in triangular patterns for visual appeal
• Varied Spacing: Use slightly irregular spacing to avoid artificial appearance
• Edge Softening: Vary the garden border to create natural curves
• Repetition with Variation: Repeat key plants throughout the design

Troubleshooting Design Issues

Common Placement Problems

Plants Too Close Together

• Consider the mature size - plants should barely touch when full grown
• Remember that plants need air circulation and maintenance access
• Use the 3D view to verify spacing looks natural

Unbalanced Design

• Vary plant heights to create visual interest
• Use odd numbers of plants in groupings
• Balance colors and textures across the design

Difficult to Navigate

• Leave clear pathways for maintenance access
• Consider sight lines from viewing positions
• Create focal points to guide the eye

Keyboard Shortcuts Reference

Next Steps

Now that you're familiar with the 2D design tools, explore these related topics:

• Check out 3D visualization to see your designs come to life
• Learn seasonal planning for year-round garden interest
• Export your designs as printable garden plans with plant lists
• Return to documentation home to explore other topics

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