Create your first plan
Choose the best starting point for your property and get the main outlines ready for design.
On this page
Klora can begin with an address, a plot plan, or a blank canvas. The best option depends on what source material you have and how precisely you want to match the property.
Choose a starting point
Start with an address
Use an address when aerial imagery is available and you want the quickest way to establish the property. Klora can bring in the source imagery and may also find an existing house footprint.
This is usually the easiest starting point for an established property.
Import a plot plan
Use a plot plan when you have a survey, builder plan, permit drawing, or another image with labeled dimensions. You will set its scale before tracing so distances in the design match the source.
Plot plans often have more accurate lot boundaries and structure locations, but they may not show existing beds or landscaping. Satellite imagery may include those features, though it can be blurry and difficult to trace.
Choose a clear measurement that spans a useful distance. A long property line or scale bar usually produces a more reliable calibration than a short feature.
Start with a blank plan
Use a blank plan when you do not need to trace a source image or when you are sketching an early idea. You can set the property location and draw the main site shapes yourself.
What happens after an import
Imported plans open in Tracing mode. The source image is shown at full opacity and shape fills are hidden so you can compare outlines against the source.
Depending on the import, Klora may already have created a house footprint. Check it before drawing a replacement. You can select the footprint and adjust its corners or edges when needed.
After you have drawn or checked the property boundary, house, and major planting beds, open Layers and turn off Tracing mode. Your fills and illustration style will return before you begin placing plants.
Build the basic site plan
A useful first plan usually follows this order:
- Move and zoom until the source is easy to read.
- Set the scale when you imported a plot plan.
- Set the property location when Klora does not already know it.
- Trace the property boundary.
- Draw or correct the house footprint.
- Draw the main planting beds.
- Turn off Tracing mode in Layers.
- Add and arrange plants.
Replay the walkthrough
Open the menu in the top-left corner and choose Replay walkthrough to run the guided first-plan sequence again. The walkthrough adapts to the current design, so it can teach you to edit an imported footprint instead of asking you to draw one that already exists.
Next steps
Looking for software to create your plan? See our comparison of garden design tools.
Why it works
The design thinking behind this
This guide covers the how. These cover the why — the reasoning that decides what you should be drawing in the first place.