Quick Start

  1. Start from New Project, Camera, or Gallery.
  2. Open a project, then use the main canvas to work in Photo Mode or Floor Plan Mode.
  3. Select a tool, then tap or drag on the canvas to add an item.
  4. Tap an item to edit its size, colour, text, rotation, or other settings.
  5. Save the editable project as a .hm file, or export a finished copy as a JPG.

Editing in the Project Canvas

Photo Mode

Add text, labels, shapes, arrows, measurements, and custom elements over a captured or imported photo.

Floor Plan Mode

Create grid-based layouts using rooms, walls, openings, fixtures, ramps, steps, measurements, shapes, and text.

  • Use the grid and magnetic snap in Floor Plan Mode for more accurate alignment.
  • Use Select to choose items. To multi-select, drag a selection box around the items you want to include.
  • Use Pan to move around the canvas. In Pan mode, drag moves the canvas; a quick tap on an item can still select it.
  • Handrail: Long-press the handrail to add a point, then drag the point to create a bend.
  • Polygon: Long-press the polygon to add or delete points. Adding points lets you turn a triangle into a four-sided shape or a more detailed custom shape.
  • Zoom in when editing small handles, short lines, or crowded annotations.
  • Some items show point, shape, or rotation handles for detailed adjustments.
  • In Photo Mode, items may extend beyond the photo. The exported JPG includes the full annotated canvas.

Editing Items

Tap an item to select it. Most items can be moved, resized, rotated, or adjusted after placement.

Inspector

Use the floating inspector to edit the selected item. Drag or minimise it when it covers your work.

Handles

Drag corner, side, point, or rotation handles to change size, shape, angle, or position.

Colour and Opacity

Line colour, fill colour, fill opacity, and whole-item opacity may be separate controls.

Labels

Keep labels short. Reduce label size when the canvas becomes crowded.

Lock and Group

Lock items to prevent accidental changes. Group items to move or edit them together.

Fine Control

Zoom in before adjusting small handles, short lines, or overlapping items.

Custom Elements

Custom elements are reusable objects that can be added to photo annotations and floor plans.

  • Open Custom Elements Library to view and manage saved elements.
  • Use Get Elements to download available models and images.
  • Drag items in the library to change their order.
  • A deleted downloaded element can be downloaded again from Get Elements.

Useful idea: Save items you use often, such as furniture, fixtures, equipment, symbols, or site-specific markers.

For model elements: Lock orbit while moving the model. Unlock orbit when you need to adjust the viewing angle.

Saving and Exporting

  • Choose save locations in Settings to match how you like to organise files.
  • Save projects as .hm files so they can be reopened and edited later.
  • Export as JPG for sharing, reports, or record keeping.
  • Export filenames include the area name by default.
  • Save before clearing a canvas or making major layout changes.

Tip: For the simplest setup, save photos, projects, and exports in one folder, such as Pictures/HomeMod.

For more organisation, keep camera photos in DCIM, projects in Pictures/HomeMod, and exported JPGs in a separate output folder.

Auto-save: Auto-save is on by default. You can change to manual saving in Settings.

Camera and Images

  • Choose Camera on the home screen to capture a photo and start annotating it.
  • Choose Gallery to use an existing image.
  • Add the camera shortcut to the device home screen for faster access.
  • Set a camera save location in Settings to keep home environment photos together.
  • For clearer exports, use a sharp, well-lit image.

Why does HM Camera open with the front camera?

HM Camera opens the phone's built-in camera app. If it opens with the front camera, that camera app is remembering the lens it used last time. Open the phone's camera app, switch to the rear camera, then use HM Camera again.

Troubleshooting

  • Online elements are missing: Check the internet connection, then open Get Elements again.
  • A downloaded element was deleted: Download it again from Get Elements.
  • A handle is difficult to select: Zoom in and use smaller movements.
  • The inspector covers the canvas: Drag it away or minimise it.
  • The exported image looks incorrect: Reopen the project, check the full canvas, then export again.