Whether you want to create a modern rectangular pool with decorative water features or a natural-looking pool surrounded by greenery, you can combine different objects to achieve your desired design.
In this tutorial, we'll explore two different methods:
A rectangular swimming pool with custom borders and decorative water sections.
A natural-looking pool with grass and plants around its edges.
You can also follow along with our video tutorial or the instructions below.
Method 1. Create a rectangular pool with decorative sections
This method uses an existing rectangular pool from the Planner 5D catalog.
We'll customize its original border, add decorative sections at both ends, and create a matching paved area around it.
Step 1. Add a swimming pool
First, let's choose the pool we'll customize.
Open your Planner 5D project and switch to 2D mode.
Open the Exterior catalog and find a rectangular swimming pool. You can also use the catalog search.
Place the pool in your outdoor area.
Select it and adjust its dimensions to match your design, if the object supports resizing.
Switch to 3D mode and check its position.
Make sure to leave enough space around the pool for a custom border, pathways, and outdoor furniture.
Tip: Choose a pool with a relatively simple rectangular shape. This will make it easier to position additional panels along its edges.
Step 2. Create the surrounding surface
Now let's add a custom terrace or paved area around the pool.
We'll use Magic Cubes to create separate surface panels without covering the water.
Switch to 2D mode.
Open Build → Forms and select Magic Cube.
Place the cube beside the pool.
Resize it into a wide, thin rectangular slab.
Position it along one side of the swimming pool.
Use Levitation to adjust its height so it aligns with the pool's surrounding surface.
Duplicate and resize the slab to create additional sections around the pool.
Switch to 3D mode and check that all the panels meet without gaps.
For more information, see How to Use the Magic Cube and Forms on Web.
Step 3. Create a custom pool border
Next, let's cover the original pool rim with a new decorative border.
Add another Magic Cube.
Resize it into a long, narrow rectangular strip.
Position it along one edge of the swimming pool.
Adjust its width, thickness, and elevation until it covers the original rim.
Select the strip and click Duplicate.
Move the copy to the opposite side of the pool.
Add additional strips along the remaining edges.
Adjust the lengths to make sure the pieces connect neatly at the corners.
You should now have a custom border surrounding your swimming pool.
Tip: Finish the dimensions, elevation, and material of your first border strip before duplicating it. This will make it easier to keep the remaining pieces consistent.
Step 4. Create the decorative side sections
Now let's divide the pool visually into three sections: one large swimming area in the middle and two smaller decorative sections at the ends.
Switch to 2D mode.
Add a Magic Cube.
Resize it into a long, narrow strip.
Position it across the pool, slightly inward from one end.
Adjust its length so it connects with the surrounding border.
Use Levitation to align it with the border height.
Duplicate the strip and place the copy near the opposite end.
Switch to 3D mode to check that the two dividers create three clearly defined areas.
The central section should remain open, with a narrow decorative area at either end.
Step 5. Add water textures to the decorative sections
Let's give the smaller sections a decorative water appearance.
Add another Magic Cube.
Resize it into a wide, shallow panel.
Position it inside one of the decorative side sections.
Adjust its dimensions so it fits between the pool border and divider.
Open the Materials menu using the paint roller icon.
Apply a blue texture to the upper surface.
Adjust the texture scale to achieve the appearance you want.
Once you're satisfied, duplicate or recreate the panel for the opposite section.
Step 6. Customize the materials
Now let's give the pool a consistent appearance.
Select one of the border strips.
Open the Materials menu.
Choose your preferred material, such as stone, tile, or concrete.
Apply the same finish to the remaining border strips and dividers.
Apply a coordinated material to the surrounding terrace panels.
Check the material scale and orientation in 3D.
For example, you can combine light stone borders, blue water textures, and pale paving for a modern swimming pool design.
If you want to reuse a material already applied to another object, you can use the Pick Texture option on compatible surfaces.
Learn more in How to Copy a Texture from Another Object.
Step 7. Add plants and outdoor decorations
To complete the decorative sections, let's add some greenery.
Open Exterior → Trees and plants, or use the catalog search.
Choose a small decorative plant.
Place it inside one of the side sections.
Adjust its size and elevation so it appears correctly positioned.
Duplicate the plant or add different varieties to complete the arrangement.
Repeat on the opposite side.
You can also add outdoor lighting, sun loungers, chairs, or other decorations around the pool.
Switch to 3D mode to check that the plants don't obscure the main swimming area.
Tip: Try using plants of different heights to create a more natural appearance while keeping the decorative sections balanced.
Method 2. Create a natural-looking swimming pool
If you prefer a softer, more organic appearance, you can customize a curved pool using grass textures and landscaping.
This method uses fewer Magic Cubes and focuses mainly on changing the surrounding materials and adding plants.
Step 1. Add a curved swimming pool
Open your project and switch to 2D mode.
Open the Exterior catalog.
Find a curved or irregularly shaped swimming pool.
Place it in your garden.
Adjust its dimensions if needed.
Switch to 3D mode to check its shape and placement.
Step 2. Customize the surrounding surface
Select the pool.
Open its Materials menu.
Check whether the original surrounding paving can be customized.
If available, select the paving surface and apply a grass texture.
Adjust the material scale until the grass looks consistent with the surrounding garden.
If the pool's surround isn't separately editable, you can use landscaping objects around its perimeter to soften the appearance of the existing border.
Step 3. Add greenery around the pool
Now let's make the pool blend into the surrounding garden.
Open Exterior → Trees and plants.
Choose low-growing plants, flowers, or decorative shrubs.
Place the first plant near the curved pool edge.
Duplicate it and position additional copies along the outline.
Rotate and resize the plants to create a more natural arrangement.
Add different plant varieties where desired.
Keep the pool's water area visible and avoid placing objects directly over the water unless that is part of your design.
You can also add rocks, outdoor lighting, or a nearby seating area.
How to move multiple pool decorations together
When using multiple Magic Cubes and decorative objects, you may want to reposition several pieces without changing their arrangement.
On Web:
Switch to 2D mode.
Hold Cmd (Mac) or Ctrl (Windows) while clicking each object you want to select.
Move the selected objects together.
If the Group option is available, use it to keep the pieces together for easier editing.
If grouping or multi-selection isn't available for the selected objects, move them individually and check their alignment afterward.
For more information, see How to Edit an Object.
Check your finished pool in 3D
Whichever design you choose, switch to 3D mode and inspect the result from above and from ground level.
Make sure that:
The main swimming area remains visible.
The custom border covers the original rim where intended.
Border strips and dividers connect without visible gaps.
Decorative water panels remain inside their designated sections.
Surrounding paving or grass textures look consistent.
Plants and furniture sit at the correct height.
No objects unintentionally cover the water.
If an object appears to float, overlap, or disappear inside another surface, select it and adjust its Levitation, dimensions, or position.
Once you're satisfied, you can create a realistic render to see how your customized pool looks in the finished outdoor space.
For more information, see How to Create Renders on Web.
By combining existing catalog pools with Magic Cubes, materials, and plants, you can create unique swimming pool designs that match your outdoor space.