Surface Generator

Information pursuant to § 5 TMG

Andre Reitz
Großaltenstädter Straße 59A
35586 Wetzlar
Germany

Contact

Phone: +49 (0) 151 6 52 63 42 1
Email: support@va-tool.de

Trademarks & Brand Disclaimer

This Surface Generator is an independent, community-driven tool and is strictly not affiliated with, maintained, authorized, endorsed, or sponsored by any loudspeaker manufacturer or software developer. All trademarks, registered trademarks, product names, and company logos referenced on this site (including L-Acoustics, d&b audiotechnik, Meyer Sound, RCF, TT+ Audio, AFMG Technologies, and Autodesk) are the property of their respective owners and are used strictly for reference, identification, and interoperability purposes.

Liability for Contents

As service providers, we are liable for own contents of these websites according to Sec. 7, paragraph 1 German Telemedia Act (TMG). However, according to Sec. 8 to 10 German Telemedia Act (TMG), service providers are not obligated to permanently monitor submitted or stored information or to search for evidences that indicate illegal activities.

Legal obligations to removing information or to blocking the use of information remain unchallenged. In this case, liability is only possible at the time of knowledge about a specific violation of law. Illegal contents will be removed immediately at the time we get knowledge of them.

Liability for Links

Our offer includes links to external third party websites. We have no influence on the contents of those websites, therefore we cannot guarantee for those contents. Providers or administrators of linked websites are always responsible for their own contents.

The linked websites had been checked for possible violations of law at the time of the establishment of the link. Illegal contents were not detected at the time of the linking. A permanent monitoring of the contents of linked websites cannot be imposed without reasonable indications that there has been a violation of law. Illegal links will be removed immediately at the time we get knowledge of them.

Copyright

Contents and compilations published on these websites by the providers are subject to German copyright laws. Reproduction, editing, distribution as well as the use of any kind outside the scope of the copyright law require a written permission of the author or originator. Downloads and copies of these websites are permitted for private use only.

The commercial use of our contents without permission of the originator is prohibited. Copyright laws of third parties are respected as long as the contents on these websites do not originate from the provider. Contributions of third parties on this site are indicated as such. However, if you notice any violations of copyright law, please inform us. Such contents will be removed immediately.

1. An Overview of Data Protection

General Information

The following information provides a transparent overview of how your personal data is handled when you visit and use this website. Personal data is any data that can personally identify you.

Data Collection on this Website

Who is the responsible party (controller) for data collection on this website?
The data processing is carried out by the website operator (see contact info below).

How do we record your data?
Data is collected when you enter it (e.g. feedback/bug report). Technical data (browser, OS, IP address, timestamp) is recorded automatically by IT and hosting systems when accessing the website.

2. Hosting and Content Delivery Networks (CDN)

Google Firebase Hosting

We host this web application using Firebase Hosting, provided by Google Ireland Limited (Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland). When accessing the site, server log files (IP address, requested URL, browser) are processed for secure and reliable operation (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR). A Data Processing Agreement (DPA) with Standard Contractual Clauses (SCC) and EU-US Data Privacy Framework (DPF) certification is in place.

Cloudflare (DNS & Infrastructure)

DNS resolution and security routing for surface-gen.va-tool.de are provided by Cloudflare Inc. (101 Townsend St, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA; DPF-certified) based on Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR.

3. General Information and Mandatory Disclosures

Controller (Verantwortliche Stelle)

Andre Reitz
Großaltenstädter Straße 59A
35586 Wetzlar, Germany
Phone: +49 (0) 151 6 52 63 42 1
Email: support@va-tool.de

Your Rights as a Data Subject

Under the GDPR, you have the right to access (Art. 15), rectification (Art. 16), erasure (Art. 17), restriction of processing (Art. 18), data portability (Art. 20), objection (Art. 21), and the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority (Art. 77 GDPR).

4. Data Collection & Local Storage

Client-Side Local Storage (§ 25(2) No. 2 TDDDG & Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR)

This tool utilizes client-side localStorage to store your active unit preferences (m/ft), local venue projects, and Google Maps API quota counters. No cross-site tracking or profiling cookies are set.

Feedback & Bug Report Form

If you submit feedback or bug reports, the information provided therein is stored in our database (Google Cloud Firestore) to handle your request (Art. 6(1)(b) & (f) GDPR).

5. Third-Party Integrations & Map Providers

Google Maps Platform (Maps SDK, Elevation, Geocoding)

Integrated for interactive satellite views, geocoding, and terrain elevation sampling (Google Ireland Limited; Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR).

OpenStreetMap & Nominatim (Fallback)

Used as an emergency fallback map layer and search provider (OpenStreetMap Foundation; Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR).

Switch projects instantly without reloading. Work is saved automatically.

Import Room Data

Load 3D room geometries, audience areas & CAD surfaces

Active Unit:

Soundvision .txt

L-Acoustics

Soundvision Room Geometry & audience planes

ArrayCalc .dbac / .xml

d&b audiotechnik

Native ArrayCalc venue & listening planes

DXF CAD .dxf

3D CAD / EASE / NEXO

EASE 5, NEXO NS-1, Bose Modeler, Adamson, MAPP 3D

Venue Synthesis .gcf

JBL Professional

JBL Venue Synthesis 3D Geometry & Planes

Coordinates .csv / .txt

Coordinates Matrix

Point-by-point table (X, Y, Z coordinates)

System Optimiser .cvlf

CODA Audio

System Optimiser Layer File (.cvlf) 3D Planes

Project .json

Project Geometry

Surface Generator project surfaces & config

Click to choose file or drag & drop here

Supports .cvlf (CODA), .txt (Soundvision), .dbac / .xml (ArrayCalc), .dxf (CAD/EASE), .gcf (JBL), .csv, .json

Input Unit Scale:

5-Minute Fast-Track: From Venue Map to 3D Acoustic Model

Workflow

Follow this step-by-step workflow to configure your open-air festival ground, arena, or indoor venue, construct stage & audience planes, and export ready-to-calculate files for L-Acoustics Soundvision, d&b ArrayCalc, EASE, and MAPP 3D.

1

Create Project & Set Unit

Click File ➔ + New Project in the top header. In Settings, choose your base measurement unit (Meters [m], Feet [ft], Centimeters [cm], or Millimeters [mm]).

2

Choose Mode: Map or Floor Plan

• Map Mode (Open Air): Type the venue name or address in the search bar. Switch the layer to 🛰️ Satellite.
• Floor Plan Mode (Indoor): Upload a PNG, JPG, or multi-page PDF. Click Set scale, draw a reference line on a known dimension, and enter its real-world length.

3

Position Origin (0,0,0) & Align Stage

In 3. Reference Point, click Set by click (or hold Shift to snap directly to a stage corner). Under 2. Alignment, rotate the compass until the green +Y Axis points straight forward toward the audience / FOH.

4

Draw Stage & Audience Surfaces

• Press S for Rectangle (hold Shift for 1:1 square) or D for Polygon.
• Set the category to Stage (Z = 1.50m) and Audience Standing (automatic 1.60m ear height) or Audience Seated (1.20m ear height).

5

Calculate Terrain & Inspect 3D Space

Enable Auto Z-Elevation (Google) to fetch real-world topography and hillside slopes. Click Lowest point to Z = 0 to normalize the baseline. Press V to inspect the 3D room, satellite ground texture, and listener planes.

6

Export Target Format (Ctrl + E)

Press Ctrl + E to open the Multi-System Export Center. Select your acoustic prediction system (Soundvision, ArrayCalc, MAPP 3D, EASE, etc.) and click Download.

Standard Carthesian Acoustic Coordinate System

Surface Generator aligns all export formats with the standardized professional live audio coordinate standard:

Stage Axis Conventions

• Origin (0,0,0): Downstage Center (front edge of the main stage).
• +Y Direction: Forward towards audience, FOH, and delay towers.
• +X Direction: Stage Left (House Right when looking from FOH).
• -X Direction: Stage Right (House Left when looking from FOH).
• +Z Direction: Elevation above stage level (Upward).

Automatic Google Elevation (Auto-Z)

• Relative Topography: Computes elevation differences relative to the stage level (e.g. rising amphitheaters or festival lawns).
• Lowest Point = Z:0: Normalizes all surfaces so the lowest terrain elevation is exactly 0.00 m to prevent negative elevation issues in simulation software.

Full Keyboard & Mouse Shortcut Reference

Key / Shortcut	Context	Action & Description
`X`	Toolbar	Select / Cursor Tool: Select and inspect surface properties.
`S`	Toolbar	Rectangle Tool: Click and drag to draw rectangular areas.
`D`	Toolbar	Polygon Tool: Draw custom polygon surfaces point by point.
`M`	Toolbar	Move Tool: Translate selected surface across the map.
`R`	Toolbar	Rotate Tool: Rotate selected surface around its centroid.
`B`	Toolbar	Edit / Reshape Tool: Move vertices while preserving 90° angles.
`V`	Global	2D / 3D Toggle: Instantly switch between 2D Plan and 3D WebGL Space.
`Esc`	Global	Cancel current drawing, exit 3D view, or return to Cursor tool.
`Ctrl + Z`	Global	Undo: Revert the last editing or drawing action.
`Ctrl + Y`	Global	Redo: Restore previously undone action.
`Ctrl + E`	Global	Export Dialog: Open the Multi-System Export Center directly.
`Shift` (during Rectangle)	Drawing	1:1 Square Mode: Forces equal width and depth.
`Shift` (during Move)	Transform	Axis Lock: Locks movement strictly to X or Y axis.
`Shift` (during Rotate)	Transform	45° Angle Snap: Snaps rotation in 45-degree increments.
`Shift` (during Edit)	Reshape	Free Vertex Mode: Unlocks 90° constraint for trapezoids.
`Shift + Click`	Reference Origin	Corner Snap: Snaps the origin marker directly to a surface corner.
`R` / `Shift + R`	Room Placement	Rotate imported room geometry by +15° / -15° in flight.
Double-Click Slider	Alignment	Resets global rotation immediately to 0°.
Left Drag (3D)	3D Viewport	Orbit / Rotate 3D camera freely around target.
Right Drag (3D)	3D Viewport	Pan / Translate 3D camera viewport.
Mouse Wheel	2D & 3D	Smooth zoom in and out.

Intelligent Magnet Snapping

Prevents gaps, overlapping planes, and boundary misalignments:

Snap Indicator	Snap Type	Application
Green Dot	Corner Snap	Snaps to vertices of adjacent surfaces.
Blue Dot	Midpoint Snap	Snaps to the exact center of any edge.
Amber Dot	Origin Snap	Snaps to (0,0,0) downstage center.

3D WebGL Viewport Presets

High-performance hardware-accelerated 3D space:

Top View: Orthogonal bird's-eye view with rotation locked.
Front View: Direct stage elevation inspection for riser heights.
Side View: Profile perspective to verify bleacher & balcony slopes.
Quad View: 4-way split view (Top, 3D Orbit, Front, Side).
Satellite Map Ground: Projects the map/satellite image directly beneath your 3D geometry.
Ear Height Planes: Visualizes listener planes (+1.60m / +1.20m).
Height Drop & Labels: Dynamic 3D measurement tags and vertical ground drop indicators.

Surface Categories & Ear Height Standards

Category	Color Badge	Default Ear Height	Target Acoustic Application
Stage	Blue	0.00 m	Physical stage structure, risers, DJ platform (no listeners).
Audience Standing	Green	1.60 m	General standing admission, festival fields, front-of-stage pits.
Audience Seating	Amber	1.20 m	Seated concert halls, theater parquet, flat chair layouts.
Balcony / Bleachers	Purple	1.20 m / 1.60 m	Tiered seating, balcony tiers, raked bleachers.
FOH	Cyan	1.20 m / 1.60 m	Front of house mixing console, lighting position.
Obstacle / Wall	Red	0.00 m	Acoustic boundaries, barrier walls, buildings.

Room Import Engine & Interactive Placement HUD

Surface Generator allows importing existing 3D venue models, audience geometry, and CAD drawings directly onto satellite maps or floor plans with real-time alignment:

1. Ghost Preview

The imported 3D venue floats transparently under your mouse cursor.

2. In-Flight Rotation

Press R (+15°) or Shift + R (-15°) to align with walls in real-time.

3. Snap & Confirm

Snap to (0,0) origin and verify surface count in the confirmation summary.

Supported Ingestion Formats:

Format	Extension	Ingestion Parser Details
L-Acoustics Soundvision	`.txt`	Parses 3D quads, triangles, normal vectors, and listener heights.
d&b ArrayCalc	`.dbac / .xml`	Extracts XML venue planes, floor heights, and listening zones.
CODA System Optimiser	`.cvlf`	Reads 3D venue layer files, symmetry axes, and quads.
JBL Venue Synthesis	`.gcf`	Parses native 3D geometry configuration files for LAC-3 and Venue Synthesis.
Universal CAD / EASE / MAPP	`.dxf`	Extracts 3DFACE and POLYLINE meshes from Vectorworks, AutoCAD, EASE 5, NEXO, Bose.
Coordinates Table	`.csv / .txt`	Tabular point matrix (X, Y, Z coordinates).

Multi-System Export Matrix (12 Formats)

L-Acoustics Soundvision .txt

Calculates mathematical cross-product normal vectors \(\vec{N}\) for plane definitions, ear-height tags, and winding orders.

d&b audiotechnik ArrayCalc .dbacv

Native XML venue structure with typed listeningPlane objects and 1.20m / 1.60m listening heights.

Meyer Sound MAPP 3D .dxf

Structured layer layout (AUDIENCE_PREDICTION) supporting auto-prediction plane snapping.

RCF / TT+ Audio RDShape .xrds

XML venue model with on-axis cross-section profiles and 3D surface geometry for RDNet.

AFMG EASE Focus 3 & Clair .pdf / .dxf

Multi-page printable audience zone data sheet with scaled 2D plan and coordinate tables (Clair, TW Audio, EAW, Adamson).

NEXO NS-1 & Yamaha AFC .dxf

3D surface meshes with NS-1 compliant layers for NS-1 and Yamaha AFC Image immersive design.

Bose Professional Modeler .dxf

Dedicated layers for listener areas and room boundaries optimized for Modeler 6+.

AFMG EASE 5 (Full 3D) .dxf

Full 3D room model with separated audience faces and boundary volumes for room acoustics.

CODA System Optimiser .cvlf

Native CODA Audio Venue Layer File with quads, ear-height zoning, and symmetry axes.

JBL Professional Synthesis .gcf

Native 3D geometry configuration for JBL Venue Synthesis and Line Array Calculator (LAC-3).

Universal 3D CAD .dxf

Clean 3DFACE meshes compatible with Vectorworks Spotlight, AutoCAD, SketchUp, Rhino, and Blender.

Raw Coordinates Table .csv

Point-by-point matrix (X, Y, Z, Latitude, Longitude) for spreadsheet and survey software.

The 4 Golden Rules for Flawless Acoustic Room Models

1. Unit Consistency

Always verify that the length unit in Surface Generator (e.g. Meters) matches your target software settings (Soundvision ➔ Options ➔ Length Unit ➔ Meter).

2. Forward +Y Alignment

The green +Y axis must always point straight from Downstage Center into the audience / FOH. Use Align by line along the stage front.

3. Magnet Snapping

Always use Corner Snapping (Green dot) to connect adjacent risers and bleachers seamlessly without intersecting polygon vertices.

4. 3D Side-View Verification

Press V before exporting and switch to Side View to ensure all stage heights, balcony inclines, and hillside slopes are geometrically sound.

From Venue Map to 3D Soundvision & ArrayCalc Model in 2 Minutes

What Surface-Gen Does

Google Maps & Terrain Elevation

PDF & Blueprint Import

Multi-Format Export

Auto-Triangulation

Send to My Computer

Want to use the CAD tool on mobile anyway?

Calibrate Scale

Create Surface

Report a Bug / Feedback

Export Room Data

Imprint (Impressum)

Information pursuant to § 5 TMG

Contact

Trademarks & Brand Disclaimer

Liability for Contents

Liability for Links

Copyright

Privacy Policy (Datenschutzerklärung)

1. An Overview of Data Protection

General Information

Data Collection on this Website

2. Hosting and Content Delivery Networks (CDN)

Google Firebase Hosting

Cloudflare (DNS & Infrastructure)

3. General Information and Mandatory Disclosures

Controller (Verantwortliche Stelle)

Your Rights as a Data Subject

4. Data Collection & Local Storage

Client-Side Local Storage (§ 25(2) No. 2 TDDDG & Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR)

Feedback & Bug Report Form

5. Third-Party Integrations & Map Providers

Google Maps Platform (Maps SDK, Elevation, Geocoding)

OpenStreetMap & Nominatim (Fallback)

File

Export Current Project

Import Room Data

Import Project File

User Guide & Reference

Settings

Unit of Measurement

Import Room Data

Place Room Data Here?

Project Name

Confirm Action

User Guide & Reference

5-Minute Fast-Track: From Venue Map to 3D Acoustic Model

Standard Carthesian Acoustic Coordinate System

Stage Axis Conventions

Automatic Google Elevation (Auto-Z)

Full Keyboard & Mouse Shortcut Reference

Intelligent Magnet Snapping

3D WebGL Viewport Presets

Surface Categories & Ear Height Standards

Room Import Engine & Interactive Placement HUD

Supported Ingestion Formats:

Multi-System Export Matrix (12 Formats)

The 4 Golden Rules for Flawless Acoustic Room Models

What's New

From Venue Map to 3D Soundvision & ArrayCalc Model in 2 Minutes

What Surface-Gen Does

Google Maps & Terrain Elevation

PDF & Blueprint Import

Multi-Format Export

Auto-Triangulation

Send to My Computer

Want to use the CAD tool on mobile anyway?