Feature · The groundplan

A theatre groundplan drawn in meters.

Draw a theatre ground plan: a scale view of your stage from above. Place scenery, set its dimensions and measure its position. Your plan also provides the scenery for the 3D model and exports.

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Draw to scale in meters
Prints at 1:25 and 1:50
68 pieces in the library
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10 × 8m stage · 7 lanterns

An example production with three sets. Choose a set to preview the change.

Try it yourself: open the drawing board, no account needed

Centre line and plaster line

Measure where each piece goes

A groundplan is a scale drawing of the stage from above, showing where every piece of scenery stands.

Measure scenery positions in meters from the centre line and plaster line. On open stages, the plaster line is called the setting line. Use these measurements to mark out the design on stage.

Use the groundplan for scenery sizes and positions. Prepare separate workshop drawings for construction details such as joints and fixings.

Origin: centre line × plaster line
Units: meters
Grid: a line every 0.5 m
Print scales: 1:25, 1:50, 1:100, 1:200

The demo cycles through three venues. The piece keeps its coordinates and measurements while the room changes around it.

Drawing on it

Place scenery, then check the space

Drag scenery onto the plan and set its dimensions. Use the adjustable grid to line up pieces, then nudge or rotate them into position.

Setplot flags scenery that extends beyond the playing area and shows how far it overhangs. You choose whether to move or resize it.

1Three flats form the back wall. Place their door and window openings on the plan, then check their heights in 3D.
2The sofa is drawn at its full width and depth, so you can judge the space between it and the surrounding scenery.
3Keep the chairs as separate pieces. You can move them for the next set while counting each one once in the inventory.

The Parlour at the Playhouse. The numbers match the notes about the plan.

The library

68 pieces, drawn as plan symbols

Choose scenery panels (flats), raised platforms (rostra), stairs, furniture, trees and rocks. Resize each piece to match what you intend to use.

Architecture
17 pieces
Platforms
11 pieces
Furniture
29 pieces
Scenic
11 pieces

Scenery comes with a suggested way of moving it during a set change, such as flying or carrying. Review these suggestions against how your crew will handle the pieces.

Flat
2.4 × 0.15 m
Door flat
2.4 × 0.18 m
Archway
2.4 × 0.25 m
Masking leg
1.2 × 0.12 m
Rostrum
2.4 × 1.2 m
Step unit
1.2 × 0.6 m
Chair
0.45 × 0.45 m
Dining table
1.8 × 0.9 m
Sofa
2.1 × 0.9 m
Bookcase
0.9 × 0.35 m
Tree
1.5 × 1.5 m
Column
0.7 × 0.7 m

Draw your own scenery pieces

Draw a rectangle or an ellipse and give it a size, color and label. Use it across sets, see it in the 3D model and include it in your inventory and set changes.

Rectangle
0.9 × 0.6 m
Ellipse
0.8 × 0.8 m

Stage sizes and venue presets

Start from a shape, then measure your own room

Choose proscenium, end-on, thrust, in the round or traverse. The five presets are Studio, School hall, Playhouse, Thrust and In the round; each starts in its usual form, and you can change the form and dimensions to match your room.

The five stage presets, in meters. Height is the proscenium opening on a proscenium stage and grid height on an open stage.
Preset	Playing width	Stage depth	Apron	Wings, each side	Height
Studio	8 m	7 m	1 m	1.5 m	Grid 4.5 m
School	10 m	8 m	1.5 m	2 m	Grid 5 m
Playhouse	12.9 m	9.75 m	2 m	2.5 m	Proscenium 6 m
Thrust	10 m	5 m	5 m	2 m	Grid 6 m
In the round	8 m	8 m	0 m	0 m	Grid 5 m

The form controls the stage outline, seating banks and which dimensions apply. An open stage uses a setting line and grid height; a proscenium stage uses the plaster line and opening height. Venues share scenery positions by default. Give a venue its own layout when it needs different positions.

Use your plan

Check the design and prepare the paperwork

The 3D model: Open the 3D model to check scenery heights and spacing. It updates as you change the plan.
Add lighting: Place lighting positions on the same plan as your scenery, then aim fixtures by dragging their focus points.
Paperwork: Export stage maps, lighting plots, channel hookups, shift plots and inventory from your design.

Start your groundplan

Choose a stage preset, enter your dimensions and add your first piece of scenery. You can start in your browser without an account.

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