Help Center
Synhedra is a web modeling tool for architecture students and architects. 3D modeling follows SketchUp, Rhino or Revit habits. 2D drafting follows AutoCAD. Vector design follows Illustrator. These pages describe only what works today.
First time here?
- Create a designClick "Create" at the top left of the home page. Pick "3D modeling" or "2D drafting". Enter a name and a unit, then click "Create and open".
- Pick the software you knowThe first time you enter 3D you are asked whether you work in SketchUp, Rhino or Revit. Selection modifiers, copy keys and shortcuts follow that software. Change it later under Account › Settings on the home page.
- Draw your first massPress R for a rectangle, then P to push it up. The status bar at the bottom tells you the next step. The full walkthrough is in Quick start.
- Or start from a templateThe first time you open the home page, Synhedra asks which software you use and opens a matching template; the Create design dialog also has "Start from a template…". See Getting started.
Sections
Quick startCreate a first 3D design, draw a mass, push/pull, paint, save, and organize designs in folders. Template gallery, workspace tours, the Help menu and keyboard use.
Simple mode"I want to build…": answer a few questions or drop in a sketch to get a 3D massing proposal you can adjust and share, then hand it to an architect in one click.
3D modelingTools and shortcuts, modifiers for the three input styles, drawing on faces and construction planes, command line, paint bucket, scene animation and walkthrough, create by face and levels, import and export (including IFC and Make2D), structure preliminary sizing, green building, sunlight analysis and optimization. SketchUp groups, Solid Tools and 3D annotations; Rhino interactive commands and control points.
Node graphThe graph behind Ctrl+`. Groups, notes and disable, a map for Grasshopper users and the full node list. Planes, facade subdivision, morphs, clusters, Path Mapper, Data Dam.
Plan modeLevels, walls, curtain walls, doors and windows, modify tools, floors, rooms, schedules, dimensions and tags. Two-letter shortcuts for Revit users. Stairs, railings, ramps, elevations and sections, interference check, the family editor, design options, phases, Visibility/Graphics and material takeoff.
2D draftingAutoCAD commands and aliases, object snaps and drafting aids, selection, modify, arrays, regions, divide and measure, groups, hatch, blocks and the Block Editor, external references, importing views from 3D, inquiry, layers, linetypes and units, purge, layouts and plotting, text, tables, dimensions. Named views, model viewports, raster images, and the View, Output and Layout tabs.
Vector designIllustrator-style tools, Pen Tool, swatches and color, gradients, Appearance panel, drawing modes, layers, Pathfinder, path and type tools, place and export (including PNG), masks and symbols, shortcuts and a feature map. Rulers, guides and grid, Eyedropper, Shape Builder, Pencil and brushes.
AI panelHow to ask, preview and apply, and what data is sent; the AI canvas turns photos, plans and sketches into walls, doors and rooms.
Sharing and playerThe three link permissions, phone and tablet viewing, publishing and embedding a player page.
Cloud sync and privacyWithout signing in, designs stay on this computer; sign in and agree to save to the cloud and sync across devices. How sync works, and a privacy summary. Saving to your own Google Drive, OneDrive or Dropbox (not available yet).
FAQMissing designs, storage full, wrong import units, what phones can do.
Most used shortcuts
| Task | 3D modeling | 2D drafting |
|---|---|---|
| Select | V | Click after Esc ends the command |
| Rectangle | R | Type REC or RECTANG |
| Line | L | Type L |
| Push/pull | P | None |
| Move | M | Type M |
| Undo, redo | Ctrl+Z, Ctrl+Y | Ctrl+Z, Ctrl+Y |
| Zoom to the whole model | Shift+Z | Type Z then E |
| Node graph | Ctrl+` | None |
| Properties | Left column | Ctrl+1 |
| AI panel, AI canvas | Toolbar "AI canvas" | Type AI; AI canvas: AIIMAGE |
The full tables are generated from the source code; see each section. Under the Revit input style the single-letter 3D shortcuts become two letters; see Plan mode.
Finding help inside the app
- Account menu at the bottom left of the home page › "Help & feedback".
- The ? at the top right of a design: restart the tour for that workspace or open the help center.
- Type
helpin the 3D modeler's command line to list every command. - Every tool button's tooltip shows its shortcut and how to use it. The status bar at the bottom shows the hint for the current tool.
Languages
The Help Center is available in these 8 languages. The app itself supports the same 8 languages, switchable under Account › Settings on the home page.