---
url: "https://docs.on-book.app/pro/user/features/set-builder.md"
description: "Design your stage layouts with real-world scale and AI-generated assets."
---

# Set Builder

> **Planning aid.** Set Builder is best used for planning, not final safety or construction documentation.

> **Design your stage layouts with real-world scale and AI-generated assets.**

***

![Set Builder — On Book Pro](../../assets/screenshots/set-builder/set-builder-hero.png)

## Overview

The Set Builder is a 2D canvas tool for designing stage layouts. It allows you to:

* **Create stage layouts** — Top-down view of your performance space
* **Calibrate to real scale** — Match your floorplan to actual dimensions
* **Drag-and-drop assets** — Furniture, platforms, and architectural elements
* **Generate AI assets** — Describe what you need and AI creates it
* **Bake sets** — Save configurations for reuse across scenes

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## Getting Started

### Opening the Set Builder

1. Navigate to **Set Builder** in the sidebar
2. The canvas loads with your stage area

### Understanding the Interface

| Area | Purpose |
|------|---------|
| **Canvas** | Main stage view where you arrange elements |
| **Asset Tray** | Library of draggable furniture and set pieces |
| **Toolbar** | Tools for selection, drawing, calibration |
| **Properties Panel** | Edit selected element details |

***

## Calibrating Your Stage

Calibration ensures your virtual stage matches real-world dimensions.

### Step-by-Step Calibration

1. Click **"Calibrate"** in the toolbar
2. **Import a floorplan** (optional):
   * Click **"Upload Floorplan"**
   * Select your groundplan image (PNG, JPG, or PDF)
   * The image appears as a background layer
3. **Draw a reference line**:
   * Click and drag across a known distance (e.g., proscenium width)
   * A measurement line appears
4. **Enter the real measurement**:
   * In the popup, enter the actual distance (e.g., "40 feet")
   * Click **"Apply"**
5. **All elements now scale correctly**

### Why Calibrate?

* AI-generated assets appear at correct size
* Distances on screen reflect actual spacing
* Blocking paths show realistic movement distances
* Print outputs have accurate scale indicators

***

## Using the Asset Tray

### Built-in Assets

The Asset Tray includes common set pieces:

* **Furniture**: Sofas, chairs, tables, beds
* **Platforms**: Riser, steps, stage blocks
* **Architecture**: Doors, windows, walls
* **Props**: Tables, desks, benches

### Adding Assets to Stage

1. Click and drag an asset from the tray
2. Drop it onto the canvas
3. The asset appears at the drop location
4. Resize using corner handles
5. Rotate using the rotation handle

### Moving and Adjusting

* **Click** to select an element
* **Drag** to move it
* **Corner handles** to resize
* **Rotation handle** (top) to rotate
* **Delete key** to remove

***

## AI Asset Generation

Can't find what you need? Let AI create it.

### Generating an Asset

1. Click **"Generate Asset"** in the toolbar
2. Describe what you need:
   * "Blue Victorian sofa"
   * "Art deco floor lamp"
   * "Round dining table for six"
3. Click **"Generate"**
4. Wait 5-15 seconds for AI to create the SVG
5. The asset appears in your personal asset library
6. Drag it onto the stage

### How AI Assets Work

* Generated as **SVG icons** (scalable vector graphics)
* Include **real-world dimensions** in metadata
* Automatically scale to match your calibration
* Saved to your project for reuse

### Tips for Good Prompts

* **Be specific**: "Red velvet chaise lounge" > "couch"
* **Include style**: "Mid-century modern" or "Gothic"
* **Mention size if unusual**: "Child-sized desk"

***

## Baking Sets

Baked sets are saved stage configurations that can be reused across scenes.

### Saving a Set

1. Arrange your stage elements
2. Click **"Bake Set"** in the toolbar
3. Enter a name (e.g., "Living Room - Act 2")
4. Click **Save**

### Loading a Saved Set

1. Click **"Load Set"**
2. Select from your saved configurations
3. The stage updates with that layout

### Linking Sets to Scenes

1. Go to **Show Structure**
2. Select a scene
3. In scene properties, choose the associated set
4. Now when you open that scene in Blocking, the set loads automatically

***

## Floorplan Overlay

Import your theatre's actual groundplan as a reference.

### Importing a Floorplan

1. Click **"Upload Floorplan"** in the toolbar
2. Select your image file
3. The image appears behind your set elements
4. Adjust opacity if needed

### Working with the Overlay

* **Trace over** architectural features
* **Calibrate** using known distances on the plan
* **Toggle visibility** to show/hide the overlay

***

## Keyboard Shortcuts

| Shortcut | Action |
|----------|--------|
| `Delete` / `Backspace` | Delete selected element |
| `Ctrl + Z` | Undo |
| `Ctrl + Shift + Z` | Redo |
| `Ctrl + D` | Duplicate selected |
| `Arrow Keys` | Nudge selected element |
| `Shift + Arrow` | Larger nudge |

***

## Tips for Success

emoji\_objects **Calibrate early** — Set up real-world scale before adding elements

emoji\_objects **Use baked sets** — Save and reuse common configurations

emoji\_objects **Name sets clearly** — "Act 2 Ballroom" beats "Set 3"

emoji\_objects **Link to scenes** — Automatic loading saves time in blocking

emoji\_objects **Generate custom assets** — AI fills gaps in the built-in library

***

## Integration with Other Tools

| Tool | Integration |
|------|-------------|
| **Blocking** | Sets load automatically for linked scenes |
| **Show Structure** | Scenes can be assigned specific sets |
| **Files** | Floorplans can be stored in repository |

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## Video Tutorial

Video walkthrough: planned.

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## Related Guides

* [Blocking Tracker](./blocking.md)
* [Show Structure](./show-structure.md)
* [Features Overview](./overview.md)

***

*Last updated: January 2026*