The quick answer
Choose the floor-plan upload option in Vela setup, upload a PNG, JPG, WebP or PDF up to 10 MB, and enter measured dimensions. The image becomes a tracing reference; add the walls, doors and windows yourself. Only the first PDF page is used.
Prepare a clear reference
Use a readable plan with its dimension labels visible. Crop unrelated pages or large margins before uploading, and check that the image is not stretched. For a multi-page PDF, place the floor plan on the first page or export the correct page as a separate file.
Confirm you have permission to use the plan. Avoid reference images that contain private owner details if you intend to share an exported project. The file is processed in your browser. Its reference image is kept in local drafts and JSON exports, but is omitted from cloud plan saves.
Set dimensions from a known measurement
Select the upload option in room setup and choose a supported file up to 10 MB. Enter the measured width and depth for the space. Use a labelled dimension or a site survey rather than guessing from furniture drawn in the source plan.
Vela uses the file as a scaled background reference. It does not recognise walls, identify rooms or verify the measurements. If the source drawing is distorted or its aspect ratio differs from the entered dimensions, a background can look plausible while distances are wrong.
Trace the fixed geometry first
- Compare a known dimension in the reference with the setup dimensions.
- Add internal walls from the Build library to divide the space.
- Place doors and windows on their walls and check their widths.
- Inspect door swing directions and the usable room sizes.
- Only then add furniture and colour or finish choices.
Check more than one distance
Check a second dimension away from the first, ideally along the other axis. If one distance agrees and the other does not, revisit the original image and setup dimensions. Avoid forcing an individual wall into place to hide a scaling problem.
Source drawings can describe clear inner dimensions, outer dimensions or wall centre lines. Vela’s plan measurements follow wall centre lines. Keep the convention visible in your notes and allow for the measured wall thickness when comparing the two.
Save the editable result
Export project JSON to keep the geometry, objects and project information in a format Vela can reopen. SVG, PNG and presentation exports are useful for review, but they do not substitute for the editable JSON backup.
Do a final check of openings and furniture with the reference background hidden or less prominent where the controls allow. The traced layout should make sense on its own. Confirm all critical dimensions on site before purchasing or asking someone to build from the concept.
Continue planning
Explore Vela’s current features, follow the planning workflow or browse the FAQ. For product questions, contact Vela.
