RTD STRETCH User Manual

Written By Lauri

PART 1 - Getting started

RTD Stretch runs in a web browser. There is nothing to install.

The application has four modes, switched from the menu bar:

  • Stretch Tent Version (STV) - the standard mode; a rectangular tent driven by dimensions and pole settings

  • Stretch Tent Builder (STB) - free pole placement on a 2D grid, for non-standard shapes

  • Round Tent Builder (STBR) - circular, oval and radial tents

  • Help Guide - the built-in illustrated user guide

Two full-screen planners sit alongside them: the Site Planner, for laying out tents and infrastructure on a plot, and the Seating Planner, for tables, seating, zones and compliance paperwork. Demo runs an automated tour of the main features.

Undo and redo cover up to 100 steps (Ctrl+Z / Ctrl+Y). Your work autosaves to the browser every few seconds; after an interruption, a recovery banner offers your last design back. Camera moves are excluded from undo, so orbiting and zooming never undo a design change.

PART 2 - The control reference

Every control in the application, section by section. Each dropdown contains a table listing the control, its type, and what it does.

MENUS

01  ·  Menu Bar OPENCLOSE

The bar across the top of the screen. It holds the mode selectors, the three drop down menus and the planner and demo launchers.

Control Type What it does
Stretch Tent Version (STV) Button Switches to the main parametric rectangular stretch tent. This is the standard mode where the tent is driven by dimensions and pole settings.
Stretch Tent Builder (STB) Button Opens the free placement builder where you position poles on a 2D grid for non-standard shapes.
Round Tent Builder (STBR) Button Opens the round and oval builder for circular and radial tents.
Help Guide Button Opens the built in user guide.
Site Planner Button Opens the site level planner for laying out tents and site infrastructure on a plot.
Seating Planner Button Opens the event planner for furnishing the tent with tables, seating, stages and more.
Demo Button Starts a hands free automated tour that drives the app through its main features. Click again to stop.
Files menu Button Opens the Files drop down (exports, saving and loading). Listed in full below.
View menu Button Opens the View drop down (camera presets and background image). Listed in full below.
Stats menu Button Opens the Statistics drop down showing live model figures. Listed in full below.
Debug Button A developer toggle that turns pole click diagnostics on or off. Not needed for normal use.
03  ·  View Menu OPENCLOSE

Camera presets and background image controls. Switching view is instant and never changes the model.

Control Type What it does
Fly Around Button Starts a slow automatic orbit around the tent for presentation.
Plan View Button Looks straight down for a clean overhead layout.
Side View Button Looks at the long side of the tent like an elevation.
End View Button Looks at the short end of the tent like an elevation.
Birds Eye View Button A high angled view looking down on the tent.
Worms Eye View Button A low angled view looking up at the tent.
Interior View Button Places the camera inside the tent as a guest would see it.
Plan View, Ortho Button Overhead view with no perspective distortion, true to scale for measuring.
Side View, Ortho Button Side elevation with no perspective distortion.
End View, Ortho Button End elevation with no perspective distortion.
Toggle Ortho Button Switches the camera between perspective and orthographic projection.
Save Current View as Image Button Downloads the current viewport as an image file, compositing the tent, any background image, your logo and a watermark caption.
Insert Background Button Loads a site photograph behind the model so you can position the tent within it. While a background is active, pole labels and the ground grid hide automatically.
Clear Background Button Removes the background photograph.
02  ·  Files Menu OPENCLOSE

Every export, save and load option. All formats are included, with no extra fees.

Control Type What it does
Export DXF Button Saves the model as a DXF drawing for CAD packages, in 2D and 3D form, with every element on its own named layer.
Export NDN Button Saves NDN membrane data for fabric patterning and cutting workflows.
PDF Report Button Generates a PDF document with model views, dimensions, a component count loading list and estimated weights, ready to send to a client. Prints your Project, Client and Job Number when set.
Define Project Folder Button Sets the folder that exports are written to.
Save HTML Button Saves the whole app with the current model baked in as a single HTML file, so reopening restores the design exactly.
Save RTD Model Button Saves the design as a native RTD model file that reopens exactly as left.
Load RTD Model Button Opens a previously saved RTD model file.
Project Details Button Opens the window for Project name, Client and Job Number. See Part 4 of this manual.
Units, metres or feet Button Switches the whole control panel between metres and feet. See Part 3 of this manual.
Save State Button Stores the current model as a named state you can return to.
View States Button Opens the panel of saved states to recall or manage them.
Export Collada (.dae) Button Exports the 3D geometry in Collada format.
Export OBJ (.obj + .mtl) Button Exports the 3D geometry as OBJ with a materials file.
Export glTF (.gltf) Button Exports the 3D geometry in glTF 2.0 format.
Export STL (.stl) Button Exports the geometry as STL, suitable for 3D printing and mesh tools.
Seating Plan DXF Button Exports the current seating layout as a DXF drawing. Only available while the Seating Planner is open.
Site Plan DXF Button Exports the current site layout as a DXF drawing. Only available while the Site Planner is open.
04  ·  Statistics OPENCLOSE

The Stats menu and panel show live figures that update the instant the model changes. They are read off, never calculated by hand. When your design is in feet, these read in feet and square feet.

Control Type What it does
Overall Length Readout The full length of the tent including any overhang.
Overall Width Readout The full width of the tent including any overhang.
Length Readout The plan length of the tent.
Width Readout The plan width of the tent.
Surface Area Readout Estimated membrane surface area, useful for material estimation.
Floor Area Readout Estimated covered floor area, useful for judging capacity and permits.
Avg Height Readout Average internal height across the tent.
Side Pole Ht Readout Height of the side poles, the eave height.
Kingpole Ht Readout Height of the king poles, the peak height.
Bale Ring Ht Readout Height of the bale ring, the kingpole height minus the bale ring drop.
VC1 Mid Ht Readout Mid height of valley cable 1.
Ridge Min Ht Readout Lowest height along the ridge.
KP Spacing Readout Spacing between king poles.

Designing the structure

05  ·  Tent Mode and Plan Dimensions OPENCLOSE

The starting shape and footprint of the tent. Change a number and the whole structure rebuilds to suit.

Control Type What it does
Stretch Default Checkbox Loads the standard stretch tent configuration as a starting point.
Length (m) Field Sets the plan length of the tent.
Width (m) Field Sets the plan width of the tent.
L-side Poles Field Number of side poles along each length side. Zero leaves an edge open.
W-side Poles Field Number of side poles along each width side. Zero leaves an edge open.
Corner Radius Field Rounds the corners of the rectangular plan. A value of 0 gives sharp corners.
11  ·  Bale Ring Hardware OPENCLOSE

Controls for the bale ring at the apex.

Control Type What it does
Bale Drop Slider How far the bale ring sits below the apex. A negative value sits it above the tip.
Balering Diameter (m) Slider Diameter of the bale ring.
06  ·  Pole Heights OPENCLOSE

Independent control of eave and peak heights. The fabric follows, so you see the true roof profile as you go.

Control Type What it does
Side Pole Ht (m) Field Height of the side poles, which sets the eave line.
Kingpole Ht (m) Field Height of the king poles, which sets the peak. The gap between this and the side pole height sets the membrane pitch.
Low Ht (m) Field An alternative lower height used for stepped or sloped layouts.
Alt Ht (m) Field A second alternative height for mixed height arrangements.
Rotate side poles inward Checkbox Leans the side poles inward rather than standing them vertical.
Side pole lean angle Slider Sets the inward lean angle of the side poles, shown in degrees (0 to 30).
Alternate Sidepole Heights Button Opens the sidepole height pattern window: set all side poles to one height, set one edge (North, South, East or West) to a height, or step every third side pole, then Apply to rebuild the model.
12  ·  Roof Shape OPENCLOSE

The sliders that shape the roof membrane. Every change reads instantly on the model.

Control Type What it does
Roof Tension Slider Overall tension of the roof membrane, which controls how taut the surface is.
Edge Cable Ratio Slider Catenary ratio of the edge cables, controlling the curve of the perimeter.
Arc Height Slider Height of the scalloped arcs along the edges.
Arc Rotation Slider Rotation of those arcs, shown in degrees.
Catenary Sag Slider Sag of the catenary edges.
07  ·  Kingpole Configuration OPENCLOSE

How the central spine of the tent is built. Each layout redraws the ridges and high points to match.

Control Type What it does
Single Option One central line of king poles.
Dual Option Two rows of king poles, the standard layout.
Triple Option Three rows of king poles for wider spans.
Air Option An inflated air supported form with no rigid king pole. Reveals the Air Pressure control (section 09).
Truss Option A rigid truss spine along the length in place of king poles.
Truss 90 Option The truss spine rotated by ninety degrees, running across the width.
Angled Truss Option A truss spine set on a diagonal.
Kingpost Count Dropdown Number of king posts along the spine, selectable from 0 to 12.
Twin Row Spacing Slider Spacing between the twin rows of king posts, shown as a percentage of tent width (10 to 50, default 30). Active for the Dual layout.
Add Kingpole Button Adds a king pole by clicking on the mesh.
Remove Last Kingpole Button Removes the most recently added king pole.
Invert Truss Button Flips the truss orientation.
13  ·  Cables OPENCLOSE

Internal cables that shape and support the membrane, each with a sag slider and a matching value field.

Control Type What it does
Ridge Cable (along bale ring rows) Checkbox Adds ridge cables that run along the bale ring rows. On by default.
Ridge cable sag Slider Sets the sag of the ridge cable, with a matching value field.
Valley Cable 1, between ridge cables Checkbox Adds the first valley cable, forming the saddle between two peak rows.
Valley cable 1 sag Slider Sets the sag of valley cable 1, with a matching value field.
Valley Cable 2, ridge on one side only Checkbox Adds an optional second valley cable for asymmetric designs, ridging on one side only.
Valley cable 2 sag Slider Sets the sag of valley cable 2, with a matching value field.
Turn Off (ridge cable) Button Quickly disables the ridge cable along the bale ring rows.
08  ·  Truss Parameters OPENCLOSE

Detailed settings shown when a truss spine is in use.

Control Type What it does
Arch Height (m) Field Height of the truss arch.
Truss Width (m) Field Overall width of the truss.
Truss Depth (m) Field Depth of the truss.
Chord Box (m) Field Size of the truss chord box section.
Web Box (m) Field Size of the truss web box section.
3 (triangular) Option Builds the truss with three sides.
4 (rectangular) Option Builds the truss with four sides.
Stiffening Cable (along single chord) Checkbox Adds a stiffening cable running along one chord of the truss.
Show Stiffening Cable Checkbox Shows or hides that stiffening cable in the view.
Stiffening cable sag Slider Sets the sag of the stiffening cable, with a matching value field.
Kingpole Truss Checkbox Adds a truss at the king pole position. Exported on its own KINGPOLE_TRUSS layer.
Truss Width X (m) Field Width of the kingpole truss in the X direction.
Truss Width Y (m) Field Width of the kingpole truss in the Y direction.
KP Diameter (m) Field Diameter of the king pole.
KP Diag Checkbox Adds a king pole diagonal, with its own diameter field.
KP Diag Diameter (m) Field Diameter of the king pole diagonal.
Mushroom 2 (Truss Top) Checkbox Adds a mushroom fitting at the top of the truss.
14  ·  Geodesic Cables OPENCLOSE

Tools for adding free geodesic cables between points and converting existing cables.

Control Type What it does
Geodesic shorten Slider Tightens the geodesic cables, shown as a percentage.
Add side guys to cable endpoints Checkbox Adds side guys at the ends of geodesic cables.
Add geodesic between 2 points Button Lets you pick two points to draw a geodesic cable between them.
Clear geodesic Button Removes the geodesic cables.
Convert to structural cable Button Turns a geodesic into a structural cable.
Ridge cables to geodesics Button Converts the ridge cables into geodesics.
Valley cables to geodesics Button Converts the valley cables into geodesics.
Hide original shape Button Hides the original surface so only the cable work shows.
09  ·  Air Pressure OPENCLOSE

Shown when the Air kingpole layout is selected.

Control Type What it does
Air Pressure Slider Sets the inflation pressure that shapes the air supported form (1 to 200, default 50).
15  ·  Mesh Mode OPENCLOSE

Seven ways of solving and displaying the fabric surface between the poles. Pick the one that reads best for your audience.

Control Type What it does
Geometric 1, Pure node averaging Checkbox Solves the surface by averaging node positions, a fast clean result.
Geometric 2, Rubber sheet Checkbox Treats the surface like a stretched rubber sheet, with a tightness slider.
Geometric 2 tightness Slider Controls how taut the rubber sheet surface is.
Form Finder, cables and rings only, no mesh Checkbox Shows only the cables and rings with no membrane, for studying the structure.
Geometric 2A, Conveyor belt Checkbox A conveyor belt style solver, with a stiffness slider.
Geometric 2A stiffness Slider Controls the stiffness of the conveyor belt surface.
Geometric 3, Laplacian averaging Checkbox Uses Laplacian averaging for a smooth surface.
Geometric 4, Coarse mesh Checkbox A coarse mesh for a quick, light representation.
Geometric 4B, Medium mesh Checkbox A medium density mesh, between coarse and fine.
Geometric 5, Latex Checkbox A latex style surface, with a tension slider.
Geometric 5 tension Slider Controls the tension of the latex surface.
Regenerate Mesh Button Rebuilds the mesh after changes.
10  ·  Guys and Side Guys OPENCLOSE

Two independent guy systems. Show Guy Lines draws one guy straight out from each pole head; Show Side Guys draws a separate side guys array with its own placement. Each has its own distance offset.

Control Type What it does
Show Guy Lines Checkbox Master switch for the perpendicular guy line system, one guy from each pole head.
Show Side Guys Checkbox Switch for the separate side guy system running from the side poles.
Side Guy Anchor Fork Checkbox Splits each side guy at ground level into two webbing legs, one either side of the anchor point.
Side Guy Catenary Fork Checkbox Draws webbing arms from high on the guy to the first catenary node on each side.
Guy line distance offset Slider Moves the guy line ground anchors in or out from the standard anchor distance.
Side guy distance offset Slider Moves the side guy ground anchors in or out, independently of the guy lines.
 

Wind

16  ·  Engineering and Loads OPENCLOSE

Wind related controls for understanding exposure.

Control Type What it does
Wind Speed Slider Sets the wind speed used for the load and simulation views.
Wind Simulation Button Opens the interactive wind simulation.
17  ·  Wind Simulation OPENCLOSE

An animated, interactive simulation of wind across the tent surface. It is indicative only - a simplified model, not a substitute for wind tunnel testing or structural calculation.

Control Type What it does
Wind Direction Slider Sets the direction the wind comes from, with a compass readout (0 to 359 degrees).
Wind Speed (m/s) Slider Sets the wind speed for the simulation (1 to 30).
Pressure colour map Checkbox Colours the surface by the indicative pressure acting on it. On by default.
Flow particles Checkbox Shows animated particles that trace the airflow over the tent. On by default.
Run Button Starts the simulation.
Stop Button Stops the simulation.
Demo Button Runs an automated wind demonstration.
18  ·  Wind Sym OPENCLOSE

The indicative wind pressure view, launched from the Wind Sym button (wave icon) in the menu bar. It colours the model by pressure coefficient with contours and streamlines, referenced to EN 1991-1-4 and ASCE 7 for low pitch membrane structures. Indicative only - not an engineering calculation.

Control Type What it does
Wind Direction Slider Sets the wind direction with a degree readout. Applies automatically as you drag.
Wind Speed (m/s) Slider Sets the wind speed for the view.
Streamline Count Slider Number of streamlines drawn over the roof (default 80).
Cp colour map Checkbox Colours the mesh by pressure coefficient.
Cp contour lines Checkbox Draws isolines at 0.2 pressure coefficient intervals.
Zone Cp labels Checkbox Labels the EN zone values on the model.
Streamlines Checkbox Shows or hides the streamlines.
Show walls + wall Cp Checkbox Includes the walls in the view with their own pressure coefficients.
Hover tooltip Readout Reports the exact pressure coefficient, surface type and EN zone under the cursor.
Apply Button Applies the current settings to the view.
Close Wind Sym View Button Closes the view and returns to the normal model.
 

Appearance & Display

19  ·  Visibility OPENCLOSE

Toggles for what the model shows. Build a stripped back technical view or a fully dressed presentation view from the same model.

Control Type What it does
Show Kingpole Guys Checkbox Shows or hides the guys at the king poles.
Show Pole Numbers Checkbox Shows or hides the numbered labels on each pole.
Show Edge Cables Checkbox Shows or hides the edge cables around the perimeter.
Show Cross Guys Checkbox Shows or hides the cross guys.
Show Bale Rings Checkbox Shows or hides the bale rings.
Show Bale Ring Cones Checkbox Shows or hides the cones beneath the bale rings.
Show Balering Mushrooms Checkbox Shows or hides the mushroom fittings at the bale rings.
Show Side Walls Checkbox Shows or hides the side walls.
Show Side Walls (Dark Blue) Checkbox Shows the side walls in a dark blue finish.
Show Aluminium Poles Checkbox Renders the poles with an aluminium finish.
Hide Pole Numbers Button A quick button to hide all pole numbers.
20  ·  Appearance OPENCLOSE

Colour, transparency and label size, plus a reset.

Control Type What it does
Light Grey Roof Mesh Checkbox Colours the roof mesh light grey.
Grey Roof Mesh Checkbox Colours the roof mesh grey.
Dark Blue Roof Mesh Checkbox Colours the roof mesh dark blue.
Light Blue Roof Mesh Checkbox Colours the roof mesh light blue.
Green Roof Mesh Checkbox Colours the roof mesh green.
Orange Roof Mesh Checkbox Colours the roof mesh orange.
Red Roof Mesh Checkbox Colours the roof mesh red.
Yellow Roof Mesh Checkbox Colours the roof mesh yellow.
Transparency Slider Sets how translucent the membrane is, from solid through to see through.
Label Scale Slider Sets the size of the on screen labels.
Revert to App Defaults Button Resets every setting back to the app defaults after a confirmation.
21  ·  Camera and Quick Toggles in Panel OPENCLOSE

Quick controls that also sit in the right hand panel.

Control Type What it does
Fly Around Button Starts the automatic orbit from within the panel.
Hide Pole Numbers Button Hides the pole number labels.
Show Aluminium Poles Button Switches the poles to an aluminium finish.
 

Precise Pole editing

22  ·  Pole Data and Pole Editing OPENCLOSE

Two ways to edit any individual pole precisely, both writing into the same data, so an edit in either place updates the other. The Pole Data tables give direct numerical access to every pole; the Pole Edit Modal opens by tapping a pole label on the model. Every field steps in 0.1 m, and any change regenerates the mesh. In the modal, Enter mirrors Apply; Escape or a click outside cancels.

Control Type What it does
Length-side Poles table Readout Lists every pole along the length sides with editable values.
Width-side Poles table Readout Lists every pole along the width sides with editable values.
Kingpoles table Readout Lists the king poles with editable values.
X (m) Field Exact X position of the selected pole.
Y (m) Field Exact Y position of the selected pole.
Z (m) Field Exact height of the selected pole.
Hide sidepole (keep sideguy visible) Checkbox Hides the pole but keeps its side guy shown. Side poles only.
Side Guy Anchor Fork Checkbox Adds an anchor fork to this pole's side guy, overriding the global setting.
Side Guy Catenary Fork Checkbox Adds a catenary fork to this pole's side guy, overriding the global setting.
Tilt North, West, East, South, Reset Button Tilts the selected pole 5 degrees in a direction, or resets it upright.
Buddy offset dX, dY, dZ Field Sets the position offset of a buddy pole from its parent.
Create Buddy Pole Button Adds a paired buddy pole. The buddy gets its own side guy and a cable to the parent, whose own side guy is hidden.
Remove Buddy Pole Button Removes the buddy pole.
Poles: Wood / Poles: Aluminium Button Cycles the material of the selected pole.
Convert to Truss Button Replaces a kingpole or sidepole with a truss element, with Truss W and Truss L inputs.
Apply Button Applies the pole edits.
Cancel Button Closes the editor without applying.

The Builders

23  ·  Stretch Tent Builder (STB) OPENCLOSE

The free placement builder for non-standard shapes. Position poles on a 2D grid, then build the 3D tent from the layout.

Control Type What it does
Length (m) Field Sets the working length of the build grid.
Width (m) Field Sets the working width of the build grid.
All side poles same height Button Sets every side pole to one height, with a height field.
Same height North, South, East, West Button Sets the side poles on one edge to a common height.
Every third side pole Button Sets every third side pole to a height for a stepped look.
Set Pole Height Field Sets the height of the selected node, confirmed with Set Height.
Hide sidepole (keep sideguy visible) Checkbox Hides the selected pole while keeping its side guy.
Remove Button Removes the selected node.
Clear Selection Button Clears the current selection.
Apply, Build 3D Model Button Builds the 3D tent from the grid layout.
Cancel Button Closes the builder.
24  ·  Round Tent Builder (STBR) OPENCLOSE

The round and oval builder. Builds circular and radial forms around a centre.

Control Type What it does
Side poles Field Number of side poles around the perimeter.
Radius (m) Field Radius of the round tent.
Straight section (m) Field Length of any straight section, which turns a circle into an oval.
KP X axis Field Number of king poles on the X axis.
X spacing Field Spacing of the X axis king poles.
KP Y axis Field Number of king poles on the Y axis.
Y spacing Field Spacing of the Y axis king poles.
Reset Heights Button Resets all pole heights.
Apply, Build 3D Model Button Builds the 3D round tent.
Cancel Button Closes the builder.

The Site Planner

25  ·  Site Planner OPENCLOSE

Plan the whole event ground, not just the tent. Place tents and infrastructure on a configurable plot, in 2D and true 3D. Its controls are a toolbar, not a drop down menu.

Control Type What it does
Site Width (m) Field Width of the site plot. The planner opens sized from the current tent.
Site Length (m) Field Length of the site plot.
Insert Current Tent Button Adds the tent currently open in RTD Stretch onto the site, carrying its full 3D geometry.
Import RTD Button Imports a saved RTD model onto the site as a locked footprint you can move and rotate.
Car Park Place item Places a car park area, 20 by 10 m by default.
Access Road Place item Places an access road, 4 by 20 m by default.
Toilets Place item Places a toilet block, 4 by 6 m by default.
Generator Place item Places a generator, 3 by 2 m by default.
Staging Place item Places a staging area, 10 by 6 m by default.
Fence Place item Places fencing, 20 by 1 m by default.
Rotate 90 Button Rotates the selected item by ninety degrees.
Delete Button Deletes the selected item.
Clear All Button Clears every item from the site after a confirmation.
3D View Button Switches from the 2D plan to a true 3D view of the site.
Fly Round Button Starts a fly around animation of the site in 3D.
Save Button Saves the site plan as a JSON file.
Load Button Opens a saved site plan.
PDF Button Exports the site plan as a PDF image.
DXF Button Exports the site plan as a 3D DXF drawing with layered tents and infrastructure.
Back to RTD Button Returns to the main tent view.

The Seating Planner

26  ·  Seating Planner: Files Menu OPENCLOSE

The Seating Planner has its own menu bar. This is the full Files drop down, opened from the Files button in the planner's top bar.

Control Type What it does
Plan PDF Button Exports the seating plan as a PDF.
Export DXF Button Exports the seating plan as a DXF drawing.
Save Plan (.RTD) Button Saves the seating plan as an RTD file.
Load Plan (.RTD) Button Opens a saved seating plan.
Save HTML Button Saves the planner with its plan as an HTML file.
Export Guest List (Excel) Button Exports the guest list to a spreadsheet.
Import Guest List (Excel) Button Imports a guest list from a spreadsheet.
Print Entrance Guest List Button Prints a guest list for the entrance.
Print Tent Place Cards Button Prints place cards for the tables.
Occupancy Calculator Button Opens the occupancy and exit calculator.
Fire Compliance PDF Button Generates a fire compliance report as a PDF for licensing and risk assessment.
30  ·  Seating Planner: Auto Fill and Conference Packing OPENCLOSE

Settings that pack tables or conference seating into the tent automatically, to a chosen spacing.

Control Type What it does
Clearance Dropdown Spacing left around auto placed tables: Tight 0.3 m, Standard 0.5 m, Comfortable 0.7 m or Generous 1.0 m.
Chair width (m) Field Width allowed per chair when packing conference seating.
Gap (m) Field Gap left between chairs in a row.
Row pitch (m) Field Front to back spacing between rows of seating.
Max per row Field Maximum number of seats allowed in a single row.
Gangway width (m) Field Width of the central gangway between blocks of seating.
Row pitch (preset) Dropdown Preset row spacing: Tight 0.70 m, Standard 0.80 m, Comfortable 0.90 m or Generous 1.00 m.
27  ·  Seating Planner: View Menu OPENCLOSE

The full View drop down in the Seating Planner menu bar, plus the quick view buttons beside it.

Control Type What it does
2D Plan Button Shows the flat overhead seating plan.
Isometric Button Shows the layout in an angled 3D view.
Side View Button Shows the layout from the side.
End View Button Shows the layout from the end.
Top-down Button Shows a straight top down 3D view.
Toggle Walls Button Shows or hides the tent walls.
3D Button Switches the layout into 3D.
Real Button Switches to a more realistic render.
Fly Button Starts a fly around of the layout.
BG Button Loads a background image behind the layout.
31  ·  Seating Planner: Zone and Item Editor OPENCLOSE

Precise editing of a selected table, chair block or zone.

Control Type What it does
Item X (m) Field Exact X position of the selected item.
Item Y (m) Field Exact Y position of the selected item.
Zone X (m) Field X position of the selected zone.
Zone Y (m) Field Y position of the selected zone.
Zone Width (m) Field Width of the selected zone.
Zone Depth (m) Field Depth of the selected zone.
Zone Label Field Text label shown on the selected zone.
28  ·  Seating Planner: Tools and Modes OPENCLOSE

The working toolbar of the Seating Planner.

Control Type What it does
Select Button Switches to selection mode for picking and moving items.
Delete Button Deletes the selected item.
Delete Selected Button Deletes the currently selected item.
Clear Auto-placed Tables Button Removes only the tables that were placed automatically.
Clear All Button Clears the whole seating layout.
Gangway Button Adds a gangway to keep a circulation route clear.
Refresh Zone List Button Rebuilds the list of zones in the editor.
32  ·  Seating Planner: Render and Appearance OPENCLOSE

Controls for how the 3D and realistic views look.

Control Type What it does
Show / Hide Roof Checkbox Shows or hides the tent roof in the planner view.
Show / Hide Walls Button Shows or hides the tent walls.
Show / Hide Zones Button Shows or hides the zone overlays.
Linen Colour Field Colour picker for the table linen in the realistic view.
Load Backdrop Button Loads a backdrop image behind the layout.
Clear Backdrop Button Removes the backdrop image.
29  ·  Seating Planner: Tables and Zones OPENCLOSE

The two palettes you place from. Tables come pre set with their chair counts, and zones cover the rest of the event.

Control Type What it does
Round 1.5m, 6 chairs Place item Places a 1.5 m round table laid with six chairs.
Round 2.0m, 10 chairs Place item Places a 2.0 m round table laid with ten chairs.
Rect 2x1m, 6 chairs Place item Places a 2 by 1 m rectangular table with six chairs.
Rect 3x1m, 8 chairs Place item Places a 3 by 1 m rectangular table with eight chairs.
Top Table Place item Places a top table zone.
Stage Place item Places a stage zone.
Entrance Place item Places an entrance zone, which matters for exit planning.
Food Serving Place item Places a food serving zone.
Dance Floor Place item Places a dance floor zone.
Bar Place item Places a bar zone.
Gangway Place item Places a gangway zone.
33  ·  Occupancy and Exit Calculator OPENCLOSE

Opened from the Seating Planner Files menu. Answers capacity and exit questions before the day.

Control Type What it does
Length (m) Field Length of the area being assessed.
Width (m) Field Width of the area being assessed.
Risk Dropdown Risk level for the calculation: Low, Medium or High.
Table type Dropdown Table used for the estimate: 1.5 m round, 2.0 m round, 2 by 1 m rect or 3 by 1 m rect.
Number of tables Field How many tables are in the layout.
Seats per table Field How many seats each table holds.
Conference dining (tables) Button Calculates for a table based dining layout.
Seating rows (chairs) Button Calculates for rows of chairs.
Standing / dance floor Button Calculates for a standing or dance floor layout.
Sync From Planner Button Pulls the current layout from the planner into the calculator.
Calculate Button Works out the occupancy and exit figures.
Tent Area, Plan Area, Tables, Total Seats, Density, Zones Readout The figures the calculator reports back.

Saving Your Work

34  ·  Saved States OPENCLOSE

Storing and recalling whole model states.

Control Type What it does
Save Current Model State Button Saves the current model as a named state.
Saved Model States list Readout Lists your saved states to recall or manage.
Save State Button Confirms saving the state.
Export as Template Button Saves the state as a reusable template file.
Download Chat Button Downloads the session log.
Cancel Button Closes the panel without saving.

PART 3 - Working in metres or feet

You can run the whole control panel in metres or in feet, and switch between them at any time from the Units item in the Files menu. Your choice is remembered between sessions, and a badge beneath the version number shows which you are in - grey for metres, orange for feet.

Your design is always stored in metres underneath, so there is never a conversion error and your DXF and membrane exports are never affected by the display unit. Feet display rounds to two decimal places - a difference of a fraction of a millimetre that does not affect the model.

What converts to feet OPENCLOSE

Every true length reads and accepts feet, with its label switching from metres to feet and its readout following suit.

Area Controls
Plan Dimensions Length, Width, Corner Radius.
Pole Heights Side Pole Height, Kingpole Height, Low Height, Alternate Height.
Kingpole and truss Arch Height, Truss Width, Truss Centre Height, Truss Chord Size, Truss Web Size, King Truss Width, King Truss Length, Kingpole Diameter, Kingpole Diagonal Diameter.
Cables The ridge, valley one, valley two and truss stiffener sag inputs, and their matching sliders and readout numbers.
Roof and hardware sliders Bale Ring Drop, Ring Diameter, Arc Height, and the Guy Lines and Side Guys distance offsets, with their captions and readouts.
Builders Stretch Tent Builder length, width and all height fields; Round Tent Builder radius, straight section and kingpole spacings.
Pole Edit Modal X, Y, Z, the buddy deltas, and Truss W and Truss L.
Site Planner Width and length.
Seating Planner Occupancy length and width, chair width, gap, row pitch and gangway width, and the structure item position and size fields.
What deliberately stays in metres OPENCLOSE
Item Why
Non-length controls Ratios such as the edge cable ratio and roof tension, percentages such as twin row spacing and geodesic shorten, and angles such as arc rotation and side pole lean. These are not lengths, so there is nothing to convert.
Catenary sag slider Its value is a scaled factor rather than a raw length.
Pole Data tables and Site Planner palette size labels These read in metres in the current build.
Export coordinates DXF and membrane files are always written in metres, the unit the receiving software expects.

PART 4 - Project, Client and Job Number

Record your project name, client and job number once and they follow the design everywhere. You set them in the Project Details window in the Files menu - three fields, an Apply and a Cancel. They save with your model in every save format, travel through undo, redo and crash recovery, and print beneath the header of your PDF report.

If you set a Job Number, it leads the filename of every export - the DXF, the membrane file, the report, the Site Plan, the Seating Plan and the Fire Compliance record - so your drawings sort and file themselves by job. Leave it empty and the standard filename pattern is used unchanged.

PART 5 - Exports and file formats

Everything you produce in RTD Stretch comes from the one model, so your plans, reports and exports always agree. All formats are included, with no extra fees.

Export formats OPENCLOSE
Format Use
DXF, 2D Flat layered plan for CAD.
DXF, 3D Full wireframe, each element on its own layer.
Membrane engineering file (NDN Membrane v9.30) Node coordinates for fabric patterning software.
PDF Report Dimensioned, print-ready report with schedules.
Collada, OBJ, glTF, STL Design tools, universal 3D, web and game engines, 3D printing.
Save HTML The whole design as one self-contained web page.
Save RTD Model A light parameters-only model file.
Save State and Export as Template Named snapshots and reusable templates.
Save Current View An image with logo and watermark caption.
Site Plan and Seating Plan Each as a PDF plan or a DXF drawing.
Guest List (Excel), Entrance List, Place Cards Seating paperwork.
Fire Compliance report A PDF compliance record.

DXF layers. The 3D DXF writes each element to its own named layer - POLE_LABELS, TRUSS, KINGPOLE_TRUSS, EDGE_CABLES, GUY_LINES, BALE_RINGS, SIDE_POLES and KINGPOLES - so you can isolate any layer in your CAD software.

Filenames. Export filenames carry the version, span and length. When you set a Job Number it leads the filename, so drawings sort themselves by job. Drawing and membrane coordinates are always written in metres regardless of your display unit, because that is what the receiving software expects.

PART 6 - Version history

RTD Stretch is under continuous development, and every release is recorded in the in-app changelog. The tables below cover the wind simulation refinement history and the most recent releases, including the renaming of the wind module to Wind Sym, the arrival of Project Details, and the full rollout of the metres and feet system.

Wind simulation refinement history, V30.0 to V30.6 OPENCLOSE

The animated wind simulation was refined across seven small releases. It is a visual aid, not an engineering calculation.

Version What changed Why
V30.0 Wind arrow redrawn as a flat 2D arrow; demo camera angled and raised; spin slowed 25 per cent. The old 3D dart looked like a blob seen end on; the spin was too fast.
V30.1 Arrow fill removed, outline only in a bright colour; spin slowed a further 20 per cent; streamlines made thinner and more see through. A clean outline reads better; a calmer spin; lighter airflow lines.
V30.2 Arrow outline set to black and reduced to 40 per cent size; streamlines made more active. Clear but unobtrusive arrow; livelier airflow.
V30.3 Streamlines pinned to the roof and made to rise over the kingpole peaks; height grid made finer, from 30 to 40 points. Air should follow the tent surface, not float above it.
V30.4 Strongest yellow softened to a pastel; legend updated to match. The bright yellow was harsh.
V30.5 Wind arrow added to normal use and made to reorient when direction changes; a duplicate build removed. The arrow should show in normal use, not only the demo.
V30.6 Flashing roof fixed; streamlines made a fixed size, brighter and lifted clear of the colour layer. Two visible demo faults reported and resolved.
Recent change history, V31.2 to V32.3 OPENCLOSE
Version Change
V31.2 Renamed the wind module to Wind Sym across the menu bar button, panel header, close button and browser title; subtitle shortened; wind module kept at V1.4.
V31.3 Added Project, Client and Job Number in a Files menu window; saved with the model; printed on the report; job number leads the main export filenames.
V31.4 Added the metres and feet units toggle and persisted the choice; converted the read-only Statistics and the Stats dropdown.
V31.5 Moved the units toggle into the Files menu; extended the job number prefix to the Site Plan, Seating Plan, Plan and Fire Compliance outputs.
V31.6 Reworked the Statistics conversion so it converts reliably even when a panel is off screen.
V31.7 Added the always-visible units badge, grey for metres and orange for feet.
V31.8 Made the core editable fields feet-aware, Plan Dimensions and Pole Heights, with metres kept as the stored value.
V31.9 Extended feet-aware entry to truss, kingpole, cable sags, the Builders, the Pole Edit Modal and the planners, and to the slider readouts.
V32.0 Added arc height, the guy line and side guy offsets, and the Seating Planner structure item fields after a full sweep.
V32.1 Generalised the unit caption swap to cover slider row captions and linked labels.
V32.2 Separated sliders from number inputs so sliders keep their exact metre scale; fixed the Bale Ring Drop and Side Guys controls.
V32.3 Updated the Help Guide with three new chapters - Units, Project Details and Wind Sym - with matching navigation and the guide version set to V32.3.

PART 7 - Glossary

Plain-language definitions of the terms you will meet in RTD Stretch and in this manual.

Glossary OPENCLOSE
Term Meaning
2D Flat, with width and height but no depth.
3D Having depth, so it can be viewed from different angles.
Kingpole A tall central pole that pushes the tent roof up into a peak.
Streamline A line tracing the path a small parcel of air would take past the tent. Many together show the airflow.
Pressure and uplift Pressure is wind pushing inward on the fabric; uplift or suction is wind pulling it outward.
Pressure coefficient (Cp) A standard number describing how strongly wind presses or pulls on a surface. Shown here only indicatively.
Indicative Showing the general pattern you would expect, not a certified figure.
Legend The small colour key shown beside the model.
Translucent Partly see through.
Render The act of drawing the 3D model on screen.
Z fighting A graphics flicker when two surfaces sit in the exact same place.
Browser The program used to run RTD Stretch, such as Chrome or Safari.
Algorithm A defined sequence of calculation steps.
Lauri https://lauriking.com/websites
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