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VanLogic – Detailed Help

Everything about choosing your vehicle, build methods, collision checks, weight and more – explained step by step.

For everyone who needs more than the short in-app help. Everything is explained step by step – without jargon, with examples.

1. What is VanLogic about?

VanLogic helps you plan your camper van build – and most importantly: keep weight under control.

That's the key difference from other planning tools: in VanLogic, you don't manually enter a weight for your furniture piece. Instead, you simply tell the app:

The app then automatically calculates the weight. This matters because the weight immediately affects three things that are critical in a van:

Other PC programs (there is currently no other app) only help with space planning – where does what fit. VanLogic can do that too, but additionally it calculates live in the background whether your van will still be roadworthy and safe.

Remember this one sentence: Shape + dimensions + material + build type → weight is automatically calculated → immediately feeds into axle load, center of gravity and payload.

2. Step 1: Set up your vehicle

Before you plan anything, you need your vehicle. You can:

You can change these values at any time later (e.g. when you know your actual kerb weight from a weighbridge – you should definitely enter this once you know it, because otherwise the app works with an estimated value).

3. Layout Templates – Starting with a Ready-Made Plan

VanLogic comes with ready-made layout templates: complete floor plan designs you can load with a single tap and immediately customise. Instead of starting from scratch, you get flooring, insulation, wall cladding and a well-arranged furniture layout in your vehicle right away – and all weights are calculated automatically as usual.

Good to know: All objects in a template are automatically adapted to the dimensions of your vehicle – whether you have a short compact van or a long panel van.

Where do I find the templates?

In the planning view: tap the Menu (three dots, top right) → "Load template". A selection dialog opens showing all templates compatible with your vehicle.

Tip: If you are starting the app fresh and have just configured your vehicle, the template offer is shown directly on the vehicle selection screen – so you can get started straight away without switching to the planning menu first.

What does a template contain?

Every template includes at least:

The size and weight of the flooring, insulation and cladding are cut precisely to your vehicle on loading – you immediately see realistic weight values.

Visibility note: Wall cladding is hidden by default after loading – flooring and insulation, on the other hand, are visible. The cladding is present in the plan and counted in the weight – but not shown, so the planning view stays clear and you can see the furniture layout directly. You can show or hide it at any time via the object list (layer icon, top right).

Template overview

All 8 templates are Pro templates – recognisable by the lock icon on the template card. There are no free templates anymore. You can try all of them without restriction and without a time limit, for free, in the Test Environment (see Chapter 4).

Small van (up to approx. 2,800 mm load area):

Medium van (from approx. 2,800 mm):

Large van (from approx. 3,400 mm):

XL van (from approx. 4,000 mm):

Which templates are shown to me?

Not all templates fit every van. The app only shows templates that are suitable for your vehicle. Templates designed for a larger van are automatically hidden – they would cause collisions in your van without adjustments.

Which size category your van falls into depends on the load area length you configured in Step 1:

If fewer templates are shown than expected, this is due to the automatic filtering – the app shows a note with the number of available templates.

Loading a template – what exactly happens

Once you confirm a template:

  1. Flooring, insulation and cladding are adjusted to your exact load area dimensions.
  2. Furniture is positioned to fit in your vehicle – in very small vans there may be slight overlaps that you can correct manually afterwards.

After loading you can change, move, delete or add anything. The template is just a starting point, not a fixed plan.

Important: Save your existing plan first

⚠️ If you have already been working on a project, the template replaces your current plan permanently. There is no way to restore the old plan afterwards – unless you made a backup first.

The app shows a warning before the template is loaded. You then have the option to first export your plan as a .vanlogic file (export requires Pro) – this saves it and you can import it again later (see Chapter 12 for more).

If you haven't planned anything yet (empty plan), no warning appears – the template is loaded immediately.

Pro objects in templates: moving yes, editing with Pro

All templates contain assemblies and/or objects with Pro materials. Without an active Pro you can freely move all objects – just like your own. The object editor (double-tap) is locked for Pro elements though: dimensions, material and build type can only be changed once Pro is active. In the selection dialog you can identify these objects by the small 🔒 symbol next to the action buttons.

4. Try Everything Free – The Test Environment

VanLogic has a test environment: a special mode where you can try all Pro features without a time limit – free, without any form of payment.

In the test environment you can do everything Pro users can: create assemblies, use the 3D preview, use all construction types and materials, check axle loads and tipping risk, load layout templates – everything.

The only difference: Your plan in the test environment is not permanently saved. As soon as you close the app, it's gone. That's the deliberate restriction: try for free, keep with Pro.

How do I access the test environment?

Three ways:

  1. Menu (three dots, top right) → "Test Environment" – you can choose to start with an empty plan or a copy of your real plan.
  2. Pro info card: When a feature normally requires Pro, an info sheet appears. There you'll find the "Try Test Environment" button.
  3. After vehicle selection: A hint about the test environment is shown on the vehicle selection page.

What can I do in the test environment?

Everything Pro users can do – specifically:

Collision checking – hollow spaces are recognised too

VanLogic doesn't just check whether two objects roughly overlap – the collision check recognises real hollow spaces. If, for example, a battery or a tank sits under a bed that stands on support posts, the app checks precisely whether the equipment actually sits in the free space underneath, or whether it genuinely collides with a solid part (even thin 80×80 mm posts count as a real obstacle if they're in the way).

What this means for you: you can place equipment, storage and tanks the way it's actually done in real van builds – under beds, inside benches, in raised platforms – without constantly getting unnecessary collision warnings. This level of detail in collision checking is a distinguishing feature of VanLogic compared to other van-planning apps, which usually only check rough overlaps (or don't take weight and collisions into account at all).

What remains restricted: Saving as a .vanlogic file, PDF export, and the materials report – these actions require Pro because they enable permanently keeping the plan. Sharing (blueprint, stats card) is always free.

What does "temporary storage" mean?

As long as the app is running, your test plan is fully intact – you can add objects, move them, load templates and adjust everything. The plan also survives if you briefly send the app to the background.

But: As soon as you fully close the app (swipe it away in multitasking), the plan is gone. It is deliberately not saved in the app.

A yellow banner at the bottom edge reminds you throughout the entire session: "Test environment – your plan will not be saved."

Back to my real plan

In the banner on the right you'll find the link "Back to my plan". A tap on it immediately brings you back to your real project – the test plan remains untouched in memory until you close the app.

If you leave the test environment with a plan that represents some effort, the app briefly asks: "Discard plan?" – so you don't accidentally lose hours of work.

Permanently adopt the plan

If you've built a plan in the test environment that you like and want to keep: get Pro. After the purchase, the app asks directly: "Adopt your test plan as a starting point?" – with a tap on "Yes, adopt" your test plan becomes your real plan and is permanently saved.

5. Step 2: Enter the fixed vehicle structure

Before planning furniture, it's worth first entering the fixed, unchangeable parts of your vehicle. These are things that are simply there and can't be planned around:

You add these elements via "+ Object" → "Vehicle structure". They have no weight of their own (they belong to the vehicle, which is already accounted for), but they block space: furniture you place there later will be highlighted (red border) if it collides with the structure (Pro feature – indicated by the lock icon).

Why enter structure first? If you know where the wheel arches and sliding door are, you automatically plan your furniture to avoid blocking them – saving corrections later.

6. Step 3: Add furniture and objects

Now comes the actual planning. Via "+ Object" you have three options:

a) Custom build

For everything you build yourself or have built: cabinets, beds, benches, shelves, worktops. Here you define:

b) Component

For ready-bought parts with a fixed, known weight: fridge, heater, solar charge controller, battery as finished product, water tank. You simply enter the weight from the packaging or data sheet – the app doesn't calculate here, because there's nothing to calculate (the weight is already fixed).

For tanks there is additionally a fill level slider (0–100%), with which you can simulate how your center of gravity changes depending on whether the tanks are full or empty. An empty 100-litre fresh water tank weighs almost nothing; full it weighs around 100 kg – especially at the start of a trip (full) vs. returning home (often empty) this is a realistic difference. This simulation function is Pro (indicated by the lock icon).

Additional settings (apply to both custom build and component):

"Rests on" – calculate mounting height automatically: Every object has a mounting height – how high its bottom edge is above the vehicle floor (Z position). You can enter it directly, or use "Rests on" to select another object as support: the app then automatically sets the height to the top edge of the selected object. If the support is changed later, you need to update manually (no automatic update).

Example: Cool box rests on storage box (height 400 mm) → select "rests on: storage box" → mounting height automatically set to 400 mm.

Rotation: Every object can be rotated in 4 steps: 0°, 90°, 180°, 270°. This is a horizontal rotation around the vertical axis – as if you're turning the furniture on the floor. There is no tilt rotation (no "laying on its side"). All objects always stand with their height vertical. What this means for doors and vertical panels is explained in detail in Chapter 16.

Note on components: For a component, shape and dimensions are only used for visual display in the vehicle. The weight comes exclusively from the fixed weight you entered – the app does not calculate anything from dimensions for components.

c) Assembly template (Pro)

Instead of building a group from scratch, you can choose directly from a ready-made assembly from the library. You'll find this option in the menu under "Choose assembly template". More on this in Chapter 10.

7. Build types in detail – and how weight is calculated

This is the core of the app, so it's explained in detail here. For "Custom build" you choose a build type. For each build type, imagine how much material is actually used – because that's exactly how the weight is determined: used material volume × material density = weight.

🔒 Pro note: Solid block, Closed box and Simple panel are available in the free version too. Open box, Frame/structure (open), Frame/structure (closed), Frame + panelling, Angled box and Custom are Pro functions (indicated by the lock icon in the selection dialog).

Solid block

The piece of furniture is completely filled with material from top to bottom – no hollow space. Imagine a solid block of wood. Weight = the complete volume (width × length × height) × material density. This naturally gives the highest weight of all build types – only use this when the part is genuinely completely solid (e.g. a solid wood step or a small storage block).

Tip: Solid block is also suitable for vertical panels like doors or partition walls – more about this in Chapter 16.

Closed box

A box with all six sides (bottom, lid, four walls) – like a closed crate or equipment housing that's enclosed all around. Weight = only the material of the walls (area of all 6 sides × your set wall thickness) × density. Considerably lighter than solid block, because inside is air.

Open box (Pro)

Like the closed box, but without a lid – e.g. an open compartment, an open drawer, or a cabinet body where the front (where the door goes) counts as open. Weight = material of bottom + four walls (one surface less than the closed box) × wall thickness × density.

Frame/structure (open) (Pro)

What it is: Just four corner posts, connected top and bottom by a crossbar. In between – along the middle of each side – there's nothing at all, just air. The 3D preview shows exactly this: a see-through frame you can look straight through from the side. Picture it as: scaffolding, or the bare leg frame of a stool before the seat is attached. Weight = density × the volume of the four corner posts plus the upper and lower crossbars (not perimeter × wall thickness like the other build types – an open frame has no continuous wall). The strut thickness is automatically suggested from the object's dimensions (exactly as in the 3D model), but can be adjusted manually with its own "Strut Thickness" slider – real stud frames are often slimmer than the automatic suggestion (e.g. 30×30mm instead of the 55mm often suggested for larger pieces). There's still no general wall-thickness slider here (an open frame has no continuous wall). This is the lightest build type. What you build with it: a slim shelf frame without a back panel (add the actual shelves via "shelf count"), an open bracket/mount for a bike or a crate, a support frame under a worktop that you can see through from the side.

Frame/structure (closed) (Pro)

What it is: A solid perimeter frame made of four continuous walls, but without a floor and without a lid – storage space inside, open at the top and bottom. Picture it as: a crate base or a raised-bed planter box without a bottom – closed all the way around, but open top and bottom. Unlike the open frame, you can NOT see through the sides. Weight = perimeter × height × your set wall thickness × density – exactly like closed/open box, just without a floor and without a lid. Unlike the open frame/structure, this one has a normal wall-thickness slider you can set manually. What you build with it: the side panels of a bed frame (the frame that carries the slats), a crate base as a bed sub-structure with storage underneath, a perimeter plinth/base frame under a cabinet or kitchen unit.

Easy to mix up: Both are called "Frame/structure" but mean very different constructions. Open = thin struts only at the corners, air in between, very light, no wall-thickness slider – like scaffolding. Closed = solid continuous walls all around, noticeably heavier, with a wall-thickness slider – like a crate base. A bed frame with solid side panels is almost always closed, not an open frame.

Frame + panelling (Pro)

What it is: A slim stud frame – the same thin struts as the open frame – gets panelled all around with a thin outer skin: floor, lid and all four sides are present, just thin instead of solid. Picture it as: a stud-and-panel wall like drywall construction – or how most van conversion builders actually build furniture: a light wooden frame, panelled on the outside with 4–6mm plywood. Weight = density × (volume of the stud frame, strut thickness automatically suggested like the open frame, but likewise adjustable with the "Strut Thickness" slider, plus area of all outer sides × your set skin thickness). You set the skin thickness with its own slider (typically 3–8mm thin plywood) – independent of the strut thickness of the frame. You can also choose a separate material for the skin (e.g. lightweight plywood for the skin while the frame itself is made of sturdier battens) – without an explicit choice, your main material is simply used. What you build with it: the real standard build method for most self-built furniture in a van – cabinets, benches, kitchen units with a wooden stud frame and thin panelling, when "Closed box" (full wall thickness everywhere) is too heavy for you and "Frame/structure (open)" (no outer skin, not enclosed) doesn't fit.

Simple panel

Just one single, lying surface – a flat board or tabletop spread flat. Weight = only the base area (width × length) × wall thickness (= panel thickness) × density. Typical for tabletops, shelf boards, floor panels or a lying solar panel on the roof.

Note: "Simple panel" calculates the area seen from above (width × length). For a vertically standing panel (e.g. a door) this is wrong – please use Solid block instead (see Chapter 16).

Angled box (Pro)

Like the closed box, but with a sloped top – useful for cabinets under a sloping roof so they don't hit the ceiling at the top. You additionally specify how deep the slope runs from the top ("roof depth"). Weight = material of all (now sloped) sides, including the sloped back wall, × density.

Custom (Pro)

For special cases that don't fit any scheme. You directly specify a quantity (e.g. "3 panels"), and the app calculates: base area × wall thickness × density × quantity.

Additional shelves

Regardless of which build type (except solid block and simple panel): you can specify additional shelves. These are insert shelves – extra horizontal boards inside the furniture piece, e.g. in a cabinet.

For each shelf the app adds one extra board exactly as large as the base plan of the furniture piece (width × length). As soon as at least one shelf is set, a separate "Material thickness (shelves)" slider appears – the shelf thickness can then be set independently of the main object's wall/strut thickness (e.g. thinner 12mm shelves in a cabinet built from 18mm plywood). By default the main object's material is simply used, but you can optionally choose a separate material for the shelves too (e.g. lighter plywood for shelves in a solid-wood cabinet). So for example if you build a cabinet from 18mm plywood, enter 2 shelves, and set their material thickness to 12mm, the app adds 2 × (width × length × 12 mm) plywood (or your chosen shelf material) to the total weight. This is a good approximation, even if the actual shelves are sometimes slightly differently dimensioned.

Additional drawers and doors/flaps

Two more additive elements, available for Closed box, Open box, Frame + cladding, and Slanted box – hidden for the other build types (Solid block, Frame/structure open and closed, Simple panel, Custom), since those either have no cavity or no meaningful front face.

Additionally, both sliders are only available for the Rectangle shape – for cylinder and L-shape there is no drawer/door front in either the 3D view or the weight calculation, so they remain hidden there.

Drawers: For each drawer the app adds its own small box (front, floor, two sides, back wall, at your set wall thickness) – like a real, inserted drawer. The more drawers you enter, the finer the interior height is divided; the weight of the fronts/sides stays roughly the same, only the floors (each drawer needs its own) add up proportionally. For the floor, at most a realistic single-drawer width of 900mm is used, not the full furniture width – important if you e.g. model an entire, several-metre-long kitchen run as a single object: the app still calculates with plausible, individual drawer dimensions instead of unrealistically large floors.

Doors/flaps: Adds an extra front panel – primarily a visual hint of what the front will look like. The weight effect is deliberately kept small, since a door needs only little extra material.

Both sliders appear in the object editor as counters with plus/minus buttons below the shelf setting (free version: max. 1 each, more with Pro). In the 2D preview and the 3D view, drawers and doors show as dividing lines with small handle markers on the object's front – the number of lines drawn always matches the count you set exactly.

Large side-hinged door and dedicated door material

For a single, large, side-opening door – for example the door of a built-in WC cubicle – the small, stacked door display above isn't enough. As soon as you've set at least one door, an additional "Large side-hinged door" switch appears. Turning it on replaces the display with a single, full-height door with a selectable hinge side (left/right) – the display of the individual small doors/drawers disappears (a large cabin door is always the sole front). The drawer counter is completely hidden and reset to 0 in that case – as long as the large door is active, there are no more small drawers, and they no longer contribute to the weight either. In the 2D preview you'll see a symbolic hinge/swing indicator; in the 3D view the door is actually shown opening sideways, including the swing arc.

Independent of the large door, you can choose a separate material and material thickness for the visible front – just like for the shelves. This slider applies jointly to doors AND drawers (small stacked or large): in practice, fronts are usually made from the same panel material so a piece of furniture looks uniform, no matter whether there's a door or a drawer behind it. This is realistic, because in practice a front is often made from a different (usually thinner) material than the rest of the piece of furniture, e.g. a 12 mm plywood front on a cabinet made of 18 mm multiplex. By default, without making a separate choice, your main material is still used at the previous thickness – no weight change to existing plans until you actively use the new slider/material picker.

For the drawer box itself – i.e. the sides, floor and back wall behind the front, not the front itself – there is a separate, independent "Material/material thickness (drawer box)" slider. This is realistic, because in practice a drawer box is often made from simpler, thinner material than the visible front, e.g. an 8 mm plywood box behind a 15 mm solid-wood front. Here too: without a separate choice, the box continues to use your main material at the previous wall thickness.

A simple rule of thumb: Solid block = filled block. Closed box = crate with lid. Open box = crate without lid (open at front). Frame/structure (open) = only thin struts, everything in between is air. Frame/structure (closed) = solid walls, but without a floor or lid. Panel = one single lying board. The less material is actually used, the lighter it's calculated – and that's how it is in reality too.

8. Moving, rotating, zooming and editing objects

Dimension inspector

As soon as an object is selected, a small dimension inspector appears to the left of the vehicle. There you can see the exact position of the object (X/Y/Z) and enter it directly. This is especially helpful when an object is very small and hard to move precisely with a finger – here you can simply enter the value directly.

Reference/distance – align an object exactly to another

As soon as an object is selected, you'll find the round, orange "Align" button at the bottom of the dimension inspector. It opens a bar that lets you align your object exactly to another one – ideal when two pieces of furniture should sit flush against each other or keep an exact distance.

Locked objects (🔒) and roof-mounted objects can't be moved via this bar – their position stays protected.

Deselecting

To deselect an object, tap the "Deselect" button at the bottom right (appears when an object is selected). The object stays in position but is deselected.

Zooming and panning

The "Focus" button (fullscreen icon) in the toolbar automatically zooms so your vehicle fits optimally on the screen. Only then can you:

To reset the zoom, tap the button at the bottom right (visible during zoom mode).

Pro objects: moving allowed, editing locked

Objects with Pro features – e.g. assemblies, Pro build types or custom materials – can be selected and freely moved even without an active Pro. Double-tapping shows a notice: editing (dimensions, material, build type) requires Pro. In the selection dialog you can identify these objects by the small 🔒 symbol next to the action buttons.

9. The selection dialog ("Select")

When multiple furniture pieces are stacked on top of each other or one is hidden behind another, the "Select" button helps. It opens a list of all objects – separated into "Furniture & objects" and "Vehicle structure".

For each object in the list you see three small icons:

Tap on the name of an object in the list to select it and automatically bring it to the front so you can edit it.

In this dialog you'll also find the blue button "Combine into one piece of furniture" – which leads directly to the next, bigger topic:

10. Groups – combining multiple parts into one piece of furniture

🔒 Pro feature: Creating groups is a Pro feature. Free users see the button in the selection dialog, but tapping it shows the Pro upgrade option.

What is a group?

Imagine you're building a wardrobe from two parts: the body (open box, since the door sits in front of the opening) and a door (a slim solid block – more about this in Chapter 16). Until now you had to manage these as two separate objects in the list. With a group you can combine them into one single entry – with a shared name, shared total weight and shared center of gravity. The individual material composition for the material list/inspection report is still preserved.

Important: A group doesn't change the calculation – it's purely for overview. The total weight of a group is exactly the sum of the weights of its parts, before and after.

How do you create a group? Step by step

  1. Open the selection dialog via the "Select" button.
  2. Tap the blue button "Combine into one piece of furniture". A brief window explains what will happen.
  3. You're now in selection mode: before each object (except vehicle structure – which can't be grouped) a checkbox appears.
  4. Select at least 2 objects that belong together (e.g. cabinet body + door).
  5. Tap again on the (now lower) button "Combine into one piece of furniture (count)".
  6. A small window asks for a name for the new group – pre-filled with the name of the heaviest selected part. You can change the name or simply confirm.
  7. Done – the individual objects have now become one combined entry.

Building a brand-new group from scratch

If you want to build a group without first placing individual objects in the plan, use the "Create assembly" entry in the add dialog (right above "Choose assembly template"). This opens a dedicated full-screen editor where you add parts one by one with "+ Add part" – the same arranging, rotating, scaling, and reference/distance tools from the normal group editor are available there. Once you have at least 2 parts, tap "Done".

A dialog then asks what should happen with the finished group – you can pick both options at once:

You can also delete your own templates there (trash icon next to the entry) – this only removes the template itself, groups already inserted into your plan stay unchanged.

How do you recognise a group in the plan?

In the top and rear view, a group still shows the actual outlines of all individual parts (not a merged single shape) – so for "bed platform + slat base" you really see both shapes. Additionally a small badge with ☑️ symbol and the group name is stuck in the top left, making it clear: these belong together.

Editing a group

Double tap on the group like any other object. A dedicated editor opens with:

Dissolving a group

At the very bottom of the group editor you'll find the button "Dissolve group". This turns all parts back into individual, independent objects in your list – the total weight stays exactly the same, it's just split up again. This is useful if you change your mind or want to move a part separately again.

Rotating a group by 90°

At the top of the group editor you'll find the rotate button (icon with a degree value, e.g. "90°"). Each tap rotates the whole group by another quarter turn (0°→90°→180°→270°→0°) – all its parts keep their arrangement relative to each other, only the orientation in space changes. The total weight stays unchanged. The rotation is correctly reflected in the 2D view, collision checking, PDF export, and the 3D view.

Scaling a group (overall size)

Right below the rotate button you'll find a single slider for the group's overall size, with a minus/plus button on either side for 5% steps. The slider shows the current size as a percentage (e.g. "120%") and covers a range of 50–200% – so the group can grow to at most double its size or shrink to half, additionally limited to your current vehicle's dimensions (the group can never grow larger than the load area). There are deliberately no separate sliders for width, length, and height anymore – all three axes always grow or shrink together in the same ratio, so the parts keep their proportions to each other exactly (scaling axes independently could otherwise cause previously matching parts to no longer fit together, e.g. a round part next to a rectangular one). While you drag the slider, you see the change immediately in the view behind it.

While scaling, each part's weight is recalculated: solid or panel-based parts get heavier or lighter, but the wall thickness always stays the same (a 15mm panel stays 15mm no matter how big the cabinet gets). Fixed-weight devices (fridge, toilet, tank, battery) scale normally along with everything else by default – only their weight always stays the real catalog value, no matter their drawn size. If you'd rather a specific device kept its true real-world size (only its position then shifts as the group grows), the part editor has a "Keep size when scaling" toggle (only visible for fixed-weight devices) – turn it on and a small lock icon appears next to the device's name in the parts list.

Pre-built Assembly Templates

🔒 Pro feature: The assembly library is only available in Pro.

Instead of building a group from scratch, you can choose from 27 pre-built furniture assemblies – taken directly from the official VanLogic build templates.

You'll find them in the menu under "Choose assembly template". The library is divided into three categories:

Each template already shows you the scaled dimensions for your van – the assembly is proportionally adjusted to your load area's width and length when inserted. The height remains unchanged (ceiling height is vehicle-specific).

Important: Pre-built assemblies count as Pro objects. If you don't renew your Pro subscription later, they remain visible and included in calculations – but you won't be able to edit them until Pro is active again.

11. Understanding weight, axle load and center of gravity

At the bottom of the screen you permanently see a panel with the most important values:

The rule of thumb: Heavy things (water tank, battery) as low and as centrally as possible. Light things (wardrobe contents, bedding) can be higher or further back.

Values are color-coded (green = fine, yellow/red = problem). Simply move objects until all values are back in the green zone – this happens in real time, you don't need to recalculate anything.

12. The 3D preview

Via the view switcher you can switch from the 2D top/rear view to a 3D view. There you see your vehicle including all installed furniture spatially.

The 3D preview automatically shows different body shapes depending on the selected vehicle model (e.g. a Ducato looks different from a Crafter), so you can visually recognise your vehicle. Groups are also shown here with the actual outlines of their individual parts, not as a merged block.

🔒 Pro feature: In the free version the 3D preview shows a fixed example project (showcase) instead of your own – once you unlock Pro, you see your real, actual project there.

Realistic or X-ray: see through furniture

Above the 3D view you can switch between two view modes:

Exploding groups: pulling parts apart

If your plan contains at least one group (see chapter 10), a selector bar with all the groups in your project appears below (scroll sideways if there are more than fit on screen – an arrow shows when more follow).

3D construction view straight from the object editor

While editing a piece of furniture (or a group), you'll find a 3D icon on the small preview sketch, or in the header of the group editor. Tapping it opens a focused 3D view of just that one object:

Like the 3D preview, this focused view is a Pro feature.

Labels: name furniture directly in 3D

The "Labels" button in the bottom-right corner of the 3D view shows small name tags above your furniture (a short tip points this out the first time, then disappears on its own).

Once active, you can also choose individually what's shown:

In the focused 3D construction view (see above) the choice adjusts automatically: for a single assembly, only "Assembly parts" is offered (there's only this one top-level object); for a single piece of custom-built furniture with no parts, only "Top-level objects" is offered.

13. Saving, exporting, importing

Your project is automatically saved on your device – you don't need to save manually.

🔒 Pro feature: If you want to additionally back up, transfer to another device or share your project, you can export it as a file (extension .vanlogic) and import it again later. On import the app automatically checks whether the file is compatible with your app version.

14. Material and inspection report

🔒 Pro feature

The app can generate two different reports at the push of a button. You'll find them in the menu under "PDF Export" (for the inspection/expert report as PDF) and "Material list" (for the material report as PDF or CSV):

Material report (PDF or CSV)

The material report lists all used materials grouped by category (e.g. wood, metal, insulation materials). For each material you see:

With groups, every individual part with its own material is automatically listed again – the group summary only affects the overview in the plan, not the material report.

The report is available as PDF (for printing or forwarding) and as CSV (for spreadsheet programs like Excel, e.g. for creating a shopping list).

Inspection/expert report (PDF)

This report is designed to be presented at an official vehicle inspection (MOT, DEKRA, expert) as proof. It contains:

Note: This report is an aid and does not replace an official calculation by an expert. However it can serve as a basis and talking point.

15. Creating custom materials, components and categories

🔒 Pro feature

The stored materials and components aren't enough for you? You can create your own – indicated by the small lock icon for free users.

Creating a custom material (for "Custom build")

Open the "+" in the material selection of a custom build object to create a new material (or tap the pencil icon on an existing custom material to edit it). You define:

Creating a custom component (for ready-bought devices)

For components there's a dedicated, intentionally simpler dialog – the density option is omitted here, because a ready-bought device always has a fixed, known weight: you simply enter name and weight (kg), done. You can also edit existing custom components via the pencil icon or delete them via the trash icon.

Custom categories

For both materials and components you can additionally create custom categories to sort your own entries sensibly (e.g. a custom category "Custom builds special" or "Solar accessories"). This is done via the category dialog directly in the respective selection list – there you can create, rename or delete categories. If you delete a category, the materials/components in it are still retained, they're just no longer displayed as assigned to that category.

16. Undo / Redo

At the top of the toolbar you'll find two arrow icons:

If there's currently nothing to undo or redo, the respective icon is grayed out and can't be tapped. Once you make a new change after an "Undo", the ability to "Redo" is lost (this is normal behaviour, as you know from other programs).

17. DIY builds – all situations, all furniture, step by step

This is the most important chapter for everyone who builds furniture themselves. Here you'll learn how to correctly model every typical van furniture piece in the app – with the right build types, the right positioning and when a group makes sense.

The basic principle: What do width, length and height mean?

Understand this once – never be confused again:

In VanLogic the three dimensions are clearly defined:

In the top view (seen from above) you always see: width × length (the floor plan – like a blueprint).

In the rear view (seen from behind) you see: width × height.

Most important: You can't tilt or lay any object on its side. All objects always stand upright. Height always points upward. This means:

This leads to an important trick for vertical panels:

The key trick: Vertical panels (door, wall, shelf side)

The problem: "Simple panel" always calculates as a lying surface (width × length as floor plan). This is correct for a shelf board or tabletop. For a standing door or side wall it's wrong – the panel would appear huge in the floor plan and have an incorrect weight.

The solution: Solid block with very small length.

Imagine a cabinet door: 80 cm wide, 200 cm high, 2 cm thick (material thickness). This is how you enter it in VanLogic:

Field Value Explanation
Build type Solid block Door is solid material all the way through
Width 80 cm Door width – correct
Length 2 cm Door thickness – that's the trick!
Height 200 cm Door height – correct

Why solid block? A door is solid material from one side to the other. The formula width × length × height gives: 80 × 2 × 200 = 32,000 cm³ – exactly the right volume, exactly the right weight. ✓

What do you see in the plan? - Top view: A wafer-thin 80 × 2 cm strip – correct, that's the footprint of the door from above. ✓ - Rear view: An 80 × 200 cm rectangle – the full door area. ✓ - 3D: A thin upright block – looks like a door. ✓

Use this trick for all vertical components:

Component Build type Length = Height =
Cabinet door Solid block Door thickness (e.g. 2 cm) Door height (e.g. 200 cm)
Drawer front Solid block Front thickness (e.g. 1.8 cm) Drawer height
Shelf side wall Solid block Board thickness (e.g. 1.8 cm) Shelf height
Cabinet back panel Solid block Back panel thickness (e.g. 0.8 cm) Cabinet depth → enter as "width"!
Partition wall (room divider) Solid block Wall thickness (e.g. 1.2 cm) Wall height
Sliding door Solid block Door thickness (e.g. 2 cm) Door height
Cladding panel Solid block Panel thickness (e.g. 0.8 cm) Cladding height

Note on back panels: A back panel running along the vehicle width needs to be "rotated" mentally: its "width" in the app is the vehicle width, its "length" is the wall thickness, its "height" is the actual wall height. The principle is identical.

Which build type for which situation?

Quick overview for all situations in van conversion:

Situation Build type Note
Solid block, step, spacer Solid block
Vertical panel: door, wall, shelf side Solid block Length = material thickness
Lying panel: shelf board, tabletop, seat surface Simple panel Wall thickness = material thickness
Closed box / crate with lid Closed box
Cabinet body, storage box (open at front) Open box (Pro) "open" = no lid
Body with batten frame + thin cladding (save weight) Frame + Panelling (Pro) Frame structure carries the load, thin outer skin – most commonly used build type in real van conversions
Bed frame, crate base (solid sides) Frame/structure (closed) (Pro) Solid walls, no floor/lid
Slim shelf frame, scaffolding (struts only) Frame/structure (open) (Pro) Thin struts only
Cabinet under sloping roof Angled box (Pro) + enter roof depth
Individual count of identical panels Custom (Pro) Quantity × panel

Furniture 1: Wardrobe

A wardrobe consists of body + door → group.

Part 1 – Cabinet body: - Build type: Open box (Pro) — open at front, that's where the door goes - Width = 80 cm, Length = 60 cm, Height = 200 cm - Wall thickness = 18 mm (plywood thickness) - Mounting height = 0 (stands on the floor)

Part 2 – Door: - Build type: Solid block — vertical panel, length = door thickness - Width = 80 cm, Length = 2 cm, Height = 200 cm - Mounting height = 0 - Positioning: directly in front of the body (body length = 60 cm → door position Y = 0, body starts at Y = 2 cm, or door at rear side of body at Y = 60 cm)

Even more realistic – "Large side-hinged door" directly on the body: A wardrobe door is exactly the use case for this feature – a large, side-swinging door. Set "Doors/Flaps" to 1 on the body object and enable the "Large side-hinged door (e.g. WC cubicle)" switch (+ "Hinge side" left/right) – the app then shows a real swinging door with a swing arc in 3D, and Part 2 (separate solid-block door + group) is no longer needed at all.

Form group: Select both in the "Select" dialog → combine → name "Wardrobe"

Special case sliding door: Instead of in front of the body, position the door offset to the side (Width = 80 cm, Length = 2 cm, offset to the side on rail). For planning purposes it's sufficient to model the door in its final position.

Special case 2 doors: Create two doors, each half as wide (40 cm), positioned left and right respectively.

Simplified alternative (door directly on the object): Instead of a separate solid-block door + group, you can also set 1 door/flap directly on the body object (field "Doors/Flaps" in the build type section, available for Open box/Closed box/Frame + Panelling/Angled box) – no second part needed, the app automatically shows a front indication in 2D/3D and includes it in the weight. The group approach with its own door part remains useful if you want to position the door individually or offset it to the side, e.g. as a sliding door.

Furniture 2: Wall cabinet (wall-mounted, elevated)

Like wardrobe, but with raised mounting height:

Part 1 – Body: - Open box, e.g. Width = 60 cm, Length = 30 cm, Height = 40 cm - Mounting height = 150 cm (hanging 150 cm up, under the ceiling)

Part 2 – Door: - Solid block, Width = 60 cm, Length = 2 cm, Height = 40 cm, same mounting height

Simpler – door as a flap directly on the object: Instead of a separate solid-block door part, you can also set 1 door/flap directly on the body object (field "Doors/Flaps") – no second part, no group step needed, the app automatically shows a front indication and includes it in the weight.

Important: The app can only show hanging cabinets as "floating in the air" objects – the wall material doesn't carry its own weight in your planning. This is correct: the hanging cabinet hangs on the vehicle wall, which isn't accounted for.

Furniture 3: Bed (closed frame + platform + slat base)

Part 1 – Bed frame: - Build type: Frame/structure (closed) (Pro) — solid side panels, not an open frame (that would be too thin for a real bed frame, see chapter 7) - Width = 140 cm, Length = 200 cm, Height = 30 cm - Wall thickness = 44 mm (thickness of the wood beams)

Part 2 – Sleeping surface (bed platform): - Build type: Simple panel — lying board - Width = 140 cm, Length = 200 cm, Wall thickness = 18 mm - Mounting height = 30 cm (top edge of the frame) → or "rests on: bed frame"

Part 3 – Slat base (optional): - Build type: Frame/structure (closed) (Pro) — the slat-base frame also has solid side rails, not an open structure - Same dimensions as sleeping surface, Height = 8 cm - Mounting height = 30 cm (rests on the platform or replaces it)

Group: All parts → "Bed"

Furniture 4: Bed with storage (bed with under-storage)

Many van beds have a storage box underneath:

Part 1 – Storage box: - Build type: Open box (Pro) — open at top (the bed rests here) - Width = 140 cm, Length = 200 cm, Height = 40 cm

Part 2 – Sleeping surface: - Build type: Simple panel - Mounting height = 40 cm → "rests on: storage box"

Part 3 – optional: Bed frame (if bed frame in addition to storage box): - Frame/structure (closed), Height = 5 cm, on the sleeping surface

Group: Storage box + sleeping surface → "Bed with storage"

Furniture 5: Kitchen unit (base cabinet + countertop)

Part 1 – Base cabinet: - Build type: Open box (Pro) — open at front (drawers/doors) - Width = 120 cm, Length = 60 cm, Height = 85 cm

Build lighter (most commonly used build type in real van conversions): Instead of open box, you can also build the base cabinet as Frame + Panelling (Pro) – a thin frame structure carries the load, a thin outer skin clads it, saving weight compared to a continuous wall thickness (formula/details see chapter 7).

Part 2 – Countertop: - Build type: Simple panel — lying board - Width = 124 cm (slightly wider, overhang), Length = 62 cm - Wall thickness = 38 mm (typical countertop thickness) - Mounting height = 85 cm → "rests on: base cabinet"

Group: "Kitchen unit"

Extension sink: A sink is a component (fixed weight from data sheet) – enter separately and add to kitchen unit group.

Extension wall cabinet above kitchen: Like Furniture 2 (wall cabinet), create separately or add to kitchen unit group.

Drawers directly on the object: For a realistic kitchen base cabinet, set e.g. 2–3 drawers directly on the base cabinet object (field "Drawers") – the app automatically draws front lines and handles in 2D/3D and includes fronts/bottoms in the weight. No separate part per drawer is needed for this.

Furniture 6: Seating bench with storage

Part 1 – Storage box: - Build type: Open box (Pro) — open at top - Width = 120 cm, Length = 50 cm, Height = 45 cm

Part 2 – Seat surface: - Build type: Simple panel - Width = 120 cm, Length = 50 cm, Wall thickness = 18 mm - Mounting height = 45 cm → "rests on: storage box"

Group: "Seating bench"

Note: Cushions → as component with fixed weight, or as solid block with density of foam/upholstery material.

Furniture 7: Shelving unit

Approach A – Simple (frame with shelves): - Build type: Frame/structure (open) (Pro) - Width = 80 cm, Length = 30 cm, Height = 180 cm - Shelves: e.g. 3 (the app adds 3 × base area × wall thickness of wood) - Quick and practical; in 3D view you see the frame, the shelves are included in the calculation

Approach B – Exact (each part individually, group):

Side panels are vertical panels → Solid block: - 2× Side wall: Build type Solid block, Width = 1.8 cm, Length = 30 cm, Height = 180 cm — position left and right - 3× Shelf board: Build type Simple panel, Width = 76.4 cm (inner dimension), Length = 30 cm, Wall thickness = 18 mm — at heights 60 cm, 110 cm, 160 cm - Optional: Back panel: Solid block, Width = 80 cm, Length = 0.6 cm, Height = 180 cm (thin back panel, e.g. 6 mm HDF)

All parts → Group "Shelving unit"

Furniture 8: Table (tabletop + legs)

Part 1 – Tabletop: - Build type: Simple panel - Width = 120 cm, Length = 60 cm, Wall thickness = 25 mm - Mounting height = 72 cm (table height)

Parts 2–5 – Table legs: 4 legs as solid block, thin! - Build type: Solid block - Width = 6 cm, Length = 6 cm, Height = 72 cm - Position at each of the four corners

Group: "Table"

Folding table: A folding table is either folded up or folded down. For planning, enter it in the unfolded position – this shows you whether it fits in the space. Folded up it takes up almost no space, so it doesn't need to be entered separately.

Furniture 9: Partition wall / room divider

A vertical wall between two areas (e.g. sleeping and kitchen area):

In the top view it appears as a thin cross strip. ✓

Door opening in the partition wall: Model two sections left and right of the opening (instead of one continuous wall), each as solid block with adjusted width.

Furniture 10: Floor build-up / plank floor

The vehicle floor (wood subfloor, insulation, plank floor) is typically flat and lying:

Insulation: - Build type: Simple panel - Width = vehicle interior width, Length = cargo area length, Wall thickness = insulation thickness (e.g. 25 mm Armaflex) - Mounting height = 0

Plank floor: - Build type: Simple panel - Same base dimensions, Wall thickness = plank thickness (e.g. 12 mm) - Mounting height = insulation thickness (rests on the insulation)

Group: "Floor build-up"

Tip: Exclude wheel arches. Since the floor is routed around the wheel arches, the actual area is slightly smaller than total width × total length. For weight planning however the approximation is accurate enough.

Furniture 11: Wall paneling / interior cladding

Wall panels are vertical panels (side cladding right, left, rear):

For each wall one object as Solid block: - Side cladding left/right: Width = length of cargo zone, Length = wall thickness (e.g. 1.2 cm), Height = interior height - Rear cladding: Width = interior vehicle width, Length = wall thickness (e.g. 1.2 cm), Height = interior height

All three → Group "Wall paneling"

Alternative build type, if the frame's own weight should be included: In practice, wall paneling is often built as a batten frame (counter-battening) with thin cladding. If you don't want to neglect the frame's weight but include it, use Frame + Panelling (Pro) instead of solid block (formula/details see chapter 7) and enter the combined depth of frame + cladding for "length" (e.g. 3 cm instead of 1.2 cm for the panel alone).

Furniture 12: Ceiling paneling / roof build-out

Ceiling panels lie horizontally – but at the ceiling, i.e. at maximum mounting height:

Note: Insulation between roof and cladding = another Simple panel object, same dimensions, smaller wall thickness, slightly higher mounting height.

Alternative build type: Like wall paneling (Furniture 11), you can also build the ceiling paneling as Frame + Panelling (Pro) if a batten frame carries part of the weight – details see chapter 7.

Furniture 13: Cabinet under sloping roof

When the van has a falling roof curve towards the sides and a cabinet sits under this slope:

The app calculates the weight of the sloped surfaces correctly, and in the 3D preview you see the angled object.

Furniture 14: High bed / roof bed

A high bed is simply a bed with elevated mounting height:

Group: Platform + support structure → "High bed"

Furniture 15: Wheel arch build-up

When you build over a wheel arch (e.g. a bench or storage box that goes around the wheel arch):

Option A – L-shape: - Select "L-shape" as shape instead of "Rectangle" - Enter the outer dimensions plus the notch dimensions so the L-shaped floor plan goes around the wheel arch - Build type: Open box or Frame/structure (closed) – depending on construction (solid side walls usually closed, thin structure rather open)

Option B – Two parts: - Two rectangle objects next to each other (left and right of the wheel arch), forming an arc in the top view - Group of both parts

Collision with the wheel arch: The app shows a red border when your object touches the wheel arch (Pro). This is normal and often intentional – the wheel arch is just there. Check whether this works in reality too.

Checklist: Have I done everything correctly?

Before marking a furniture piece as done, quickly check:

18. Sharing – floor plan, statistics and more

Share Project in the main screen lets you share your van build in four different ways:

Sharing your floor plan – and what happens next

When you tap "Share floor plan", your current plan is exported as a .vanlogic file and can be sent via WhatsApp, email, AirDrop, or any other app that supports file attachments.

What the recipient sees – the guest preview

When the recipient taps the file, their own project is not overwritten. Instead, a guest preview opens:

Their own project remains completely intact.

Importing – what it's for and where the risk lies

If someone wants not just to view your floor plan but to use it as a starting point for their own build, they can import it. This copies the floor plan into their project, where it becomes fully editable.

What is importing for? Two people are building out the same vehicle type and one wants to build on the other's plan. Or you created a plan on one device and want to continue on another.

What's the risk? Importing completely replaces your current project – with no undo. Whatever was in the app before is gone for good. That's why the app always shows a clear warning before importing. Read it carefully before confirming.

Tip: Export your own plan as a .vanlogic file before importing anything – that way you always have a backup.

This help is continuously expanded as new features are added or feedback shows what's still missing.

19. Frequently asked questions and problems

Will be expanded – the most common questions accumulate over time with use.

20. Short glossary of terms

Term Meaning
Axle load The weight actually resting on an axle (front/rear). Legally limited.
Payload How much additional weight is allowed in total until the maximum permissible vehicle weight is reached.
Center of gravity The "weight center" of your loaded vehicle – important for driving stability and tipping risk.
Build type How a custom-built furniture piece is constructed (solid, box, frame, panel, …) – directly determines how much material and thus weight is used.
Component A ready-bought part with a fixed, known weight (e.g. fridge). No calculated weight.
Vehicle structure Fixed, unchangeable parts of the vehicle itself (wheel arches, pillars, doors …). Blocks space, has no weight.
Group Multiple individual objects combined into one shared furniture piece (one name, one total weight), but internally still consisting of their individual parts.
Fill level For tanks: how full they currently are (0–100%) – directly affects weight.
Mounting height The height of the bottom edge of an object above the vehicle floor (Z position).
"Rests on" Function that automatically sets the mounting height of an object to the top edge of another object.
Inspection report A summary report (PDF) on weight, axle loads and center of gravity, intended for presentation at an official inspection.
Custom material / custom component A material or component entry you created yourself (Pro), with your own name, weight (density or fixed) and optionally a custom category.
Undo/Redo Undo (↩️) or redo (↪️) recent changes, up to 30 steps back.