In Planner 5D, you can create custom skylights and roof windows using the Magic Cube tool.
In this tutorial, we'll explore three different methods:
A flat ceiling skylight with decorative frames.
A roof window in a sloped ceiling.
A tall attic window that extends from the wall into the roof slope.
These techniques use separate ceiling panels to leave an opening for the window. They create a visual effect rather than automatically cutting a hole through an existing roof.
(Below you can find written instructions)
Before you start
Open your Planner 5D project and prepare the room where you want to create your skylight.
If the default ceiling covers the area where you want the window, select the room and hide its ceiling in the room settings.
We'll use Magic Cubes to create custom ceiling panels and window frames.
You can find them under Build → Forms → Magic Cube.
Select a Magic Cube to adjust its dimensions, position, materials, and rotation.
For more information, check our How to Use the Magic Cube and Forms on Web article.
Method 1. Create a skylight in a flat ceiling
This method is perfect for creating a large rectangular skylight above a dining room, living room, or hallway.
We'll create the ceiling using separate Magic Cubes, leaving an opening in the middle.
Step 1. Create the ceiling panels
Switch to 2D mode.
Add a Magic Cube to your project.
Resize it into a wide, flat ceiling panel.
Use Levitation or Above the floor to raise it to the ceiling level.
Duplicate the panel and position the copy on the opposite side of your planned skylight.
Add smaller panels at the ends if needed.
Leave an empty rectangular space between the panels for your skylight.
For example, you can start with the following dimensions for one of the ceiling panels:
Width: 375 cm
Depth: 220 cm
Height: 50 cm
Above the floor: 290 cm
These are example measurements. Adjust them to match your room dimensions and desired opening.
Switch to 3D mode and check that the panels form a continuous ceiling around the opening.
Step 2. Create the skylight frame
Now let's add a decorative frame around your skylight.
Add another Magic Cube.
Resize it into a long, thin strip.
Apply a dark material or color.
Position it along one side of the skylight opening.
Duplicate it to create the remaining sides of the frame.
Adjust the size and position of each piece until the frame surrounds the opening.
You can also add horizontal crossbars to divide the skylight into smaller sections.
For example, a crossbar could have these dimensions:
Width: 10 cm
Depth: 210 cm
Height: 5 cm
Use Levitation to position the crossbars at the correct height and duplicate them to create an evenly spaced pattern.
Tip: Once you've created a crossbar, finish its size and material before duplicating it to keep all the pieces consistent.
Step 3. Add a sky background
To make the skylight appear to show the outdoors, you can position a large image behind the opening.
Add a Magic Cube outside and above the room.
Resize it into a large surface that covers the skylight view.
Open the Materials menu using the paint roller icon.
Apply a sky or landscape texture to the visible face.
Adjust its position until the image fills the skylight when viewed from inside the room.
For a custom sky image, you can upload your own texture.
Learn more in our How to Upload a Custom Texture article.
Tip: Make the background larger than the opening so its edges don't appear in your final render.
Step 4. Finish your room
Once your skylight is ready, you can furnish the room.
For example, place a dining table and chairs directly beneath the opening, add pendant lights, and experiment with different wall and floor finishes.
Switch to 3D mode to check that the skylight frame, ceiling panels, and outdoor background align correctly.
You now have a custom rectangular skylight!
Method 2. Create a roof window in a sloped ceiling
This technique is ideal for attic bathrooms, bedrooms, or other rooms with sloped ceilings.
Instead of creating a flat opening, we'll build a sloped ceiling and leave space for a window.
Step 1. Prepare the room
Open your project and select the room.
Hide the default ceiling if it blocks the space you want to create.
Decide which direction your ceiling should slope.
Switch to 2D mode to begin building the custom ceiling.
If you're creating a bathroom, you can add the main fixtures first to make sure the skylight doesn't interfere with the shower, bathtub, or lighting.
Step 2. Create the sloped ceiling
Add a Magic Cube.
Resize it into a wide, thin ceiling panel.
Switch to 3D mode.
Raise the panel using Levitation.
Use 3-Axis Rotation to tilt the panel to your desired roof angle.
Position it so the lower edge meets the low side of the room and the upper edge follows your planned roof slope.
For example, you can start with:
Width: 400 cm
Depth: 200 cm
Height: 20 cm
Adjust the dimensions, angle, and height until the panel fits your room.
To tilt an object on Web, select it in 3D and enable 3-Axis Rotation. Adjust the rotation controls one axis at a time until the object follows the desired slope.
For detailed instructions, see How to Use 3-Axis Rotation.
Step 3. Create the roof window opening
Now let's make space for your window.
Duplicate the sloped ceiling panel.
Resize the copies into smaller panels.
Arrange them around the area where you want the roof window.
Leave a rectangular opening between the panels.
Make sure all the pieces follow the same slope.
You may need additional panels above, below, or beside the opening, depending on your design.
Switch to 3D mode and check that the opening remains clear when viewed from inside the room.
Tip: Adjust the panels around the opening instead of placing one large panel across it. Magic Cubes don't automatically create cutouts.
Step 4. Add a window frame
Once the opening is ready, let's create the frame.
Add another Magic Cube.
Resize it into a thin rectangular strip.
Apply a dark material.
Tilt it to match the ceiling slope.
Position it along one side of the opening.
Duplicate and resize the strips to create the remaining sides.
For example, you can start with a frame thickness of 5 × 5 cm, adjusting the length of each piece to match the window opening.
Make sure all four corners connect without visible gaps.
Step 5. Add the outdoor view
Just like with the flat skylight, you can create a view of the sky using a large background surface.
Place a Magic Cube beyond the opening, apply a sky texture, and adjust its position until the entire window shows the desired image.
Once you're satisfied with the result, you can finish furnishing your bathroom or bedroom.
Tip: Check the finished skylight from several angles in 3D to make sure the ceiling panels and frame don't overlap or block the sky.
Method 3. Create a tall attic window extending into the roof
You can create a tall window that begins on a vertical wall and continues into the sloped ceiling.
This technique works especially well in attic bedrooms.
Step 1. Prepare the attic bedroom
Open your project and switch to 2D mode.
Create your attic room.
Add a regular window to the wall where you want the tall window to begin.
Hide the room's default ceiling if necessary.
The standard wall window will form the lower section of your design.
Step 2. Create the sloped ceiling panels
Add a Magic Cube to your project.
Resize it into a large panel.
Use 3-Axis Rotation to tilt it toward the roof slope.
Raise and position it so its lower edge connects to the low wall.
Duplicate the panel and place the copy on the opposite side of the planned window.
Leave an opening between the panels that aligns with the wall window below.
For example, one panel in the tutorial uses:
Width: 450 cm
Depth: 30 cm
Height: 290 cm
These dimensions are starting references. You'll need to adjust the panel's elevation after tilting it to fit your room.
Step 3. Connect the wall window to the roof opening
Now let's make both parts look like one continuous window.
Add smaller Magic Cube panels around the opening as needed.
Adjust their size and position so the empty space continues from the wall into the sloped ceiling.
Make sure the opening is aligned with the standard window below.
Next, create a window frame using thin Magic Cube strips.
Position the strips along the vertical and sloped sections, adjusting their rotation to follow the change in angle.
Use the same material on all frame pieces to create a consistent appearance.
Tip: Pay particular attention to the point where the vertical wall meets the sloped ceiling. The frame pieces should connect neatly at this transition.
Step 4. Add wooden finishes and ceiling beams
To create a cozy attic interior:
Select the sloped ceiling panels.
Open the Materials menu and apply a wooden texture.
Use the same texture on the surrounding panels.
Add long, narrow Magic Cubes to create exposed wooden ceiling beams.
Raise and rotate the beams to follow the ceiling structure.
Duplicate them as needed, keeping their spacing consistent.
Make sure the beams don't overlap the roof window.
You can also add a bed, low storage furniture, curtains, and decorative lighting to complete the bedroom.
Step 5. Add the landscape view
To finish the window, let's create a view of the outdoors.
Add a large Magic Cube outside the attic room.
Apply a mountain, sky, or landscape image to its visible face.
Position it behind the tall window.
Resize and move it until the image fills both the vertical and sloped sections of the opening.
Switch to 3D mode and check the view from inside the bedroom.
Tip: Make sure the landscape is correctly oriented and that no edges of the background object are visible through the window.
Check your finished skylight or roof window
Whichever method you choose, it's important to check the result in 3D.
Make sure that:
All ceiling panels are correctly positioned.
The skylight opening remains clear.
Window frame pieces meet without gaps.
The outdoor image fills the entire visible opening.
No objects extend through the ceiling or frame.
Furniture and lighting don't overlap the window.
If a piece appears to float or disappear inside the ceiling, select it and adjust its Levitation, dimensions, or rotation.
Once everything looks right, you can create a realistic render of your finished room.
For more details, see How to Create Renders on Web.