Glossary
What is a pergola configurator?
A pergola configurator is browser-based 3D software that lets installers and customers design a pergola, see live pricing and generate a branded PDF quote in minutes. Unlike CAD tools, it is constrained by the manufacturer's catalog, so every configuration is engineered, priced and ready to order.
How does a pergola configurator work?
- The user picks a pergola model (bioclimatic louvre, retractable, cantilever, attached or free-standing).
- They set the footprint — width, projection and height — within the engineered span limits.
- They add options: motorization, LED lighting, sliding screens, heating, sensors, blade orientation, RAL colour.
- The 3D scene and the price update in real time as each option changes.
- A branded PDF quote is generated in one click and the lead syncs to the installer's CRM.
Pergola configurator vs CAD software
A configurator is product-specific software. CAD is general-purpose modelling. The difference matters for sales:
| Capability | Pergola configurator | CAD (SketchUp / AutoCAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturable by construction | Yes — catalog-constrained | No — user can model anything |
| Live pricing | Yes | No |
| Branded PDF quote | Yes | No |
| Skill required | None | CAD operator |
| Time to a quote | Minutes | Hours to days |
| Customer-facing on website | Yes (embeddable) | No |
FAQ
- What is a pergola configurator?
- A pergola configurator is a web-based 3D application that lets a user pick a pergola model, set its dimensions, choose options such as motorization, LED lighting, sliding screens and sensors, and see the price update in real time. The output is a fully specified, sellable configuration — not a sketch.
- How is a pergola configurator different from CAD software?
- CAD tools like SketchUp or AutoCAD are open-ended modelling environments. A pergola configurator is constrained: every dimension, post layout, blade angle and accessory is engineered, priced and bookable. The user cannot build a non-manufacturable pergola.
- Who uses pergola configurators?
- Pergola installers, dealers and manufacturers use them on sales calls, in showrooms and embedded on their websites for lead capture. End customers use the embedded version to self-serve a quote before contacting the installer.
- What does a pergola configurator output?
- A real-time 3D render, an itemised price, a branded PDF quote with drawings and specs, and structured data (model, dimensions, options) that syncs into a CRM for follow-up.
- Is a pergola configurator the same as a 3D simulator?
- In Configurix terminology yes — the simulator is the configurator's visualization layer. The configurator handles the catalog, pricing and quoting; the simulator renders the result in real-time 3D and AR.
See a pergola configurator live
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