A section is both buyer navigation geometry and an authoring surface. After drawing its outline, the Designer can deterministically plan rows inside it for a target capacity.
Plan one section
Draw and name the section
Trace the physical boundary, assign its stable technical label and buyer display label, then connect it to a zone when appropriate.
Set its focal context
Use the chart/zone focal for curved rows that face the performance area, or choose horizontal orientation for straight plan-style rows.
Enter the target capacity
Choose seat spacing, row gap, edge inset, and numbering direction. Physical measurements use the chart’s calibrated scale when available.
Review diagnostics
Confirm planned capacity equals target capacity, inspect row count and curvature, and resolve any containment or maximum-capacity failure.
Apply once
The generated rows become ordinary editable chart objects in one history operation.
Planner inputs
| Input | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Target capacity | Exact number of generated seats |
| Seat spacing | Distance between centers in one row |
| Row gap | Distance between row tracks |
| Edge inset | Clearance from the section outline |
Orientation focal-tangent |
Rows follow the focal geometry where possible |
Orientation horizontal |
Rows use a fixed horizontal axis |
Numbering ltr |
Each row numbers left to right |
Numbering rtl |
Each row numbers right to left |
Numbering serpentine |
Alternates direction by row |
Concave or multipart section geometry can produce several safe row segments without drawing seats through an aisle, opening, or outside the section.
Batch planning
Select several sections to plan them together. Each section keeps its own target capacity, and the batch applies only when every preview is valid and the summed planned capacity equals the summed target.
Use batch mode for repeated stadium blocks or balcony regions that share spacing and numbering rules. Review each physical section—not only the aggregate.
Refill an existing section
Refill rebuilds the generated rows while attempting to carry intentional seat metadata to the new plan.
The preview reports:
- how many settings can be carried;
- which categories, accessibility values, display names, and seat-view photos will move;
- which prior seats cannot be mapped; and
- the reason each setting would be dropped.
Published safe mode
Published booking identities are protected. Safe mode blocks destructive changes such as deleting published seats, changing technical labels, shrinking GA identity, or changing a published booking mode unless the host grants an explicit supported exception.
Additive draft geometry is safer than replacing published identities. If a live event needs a new chart revision, use the supported event refresh flow and verify that held/booked labels remain present.
Review checklist
- Section boundary matches the real sellable region.
- Zone and focal point are explicit where used.
- Target capacity is physically plausible.
- Preview capacity exactly matches target.
- No row crosses an aisle, opening, or section edge.
- Row/seat numbering is readable and globally unique.
- Batch mode passes per-section as well as aggregate review.
- Refill carry-over and every dropped setting are approved.
- Published identity protections remain intact.
- Buyer 2D/3D preview and accessibility semantics pass.
Continue with reference plan import, charts and objects, or publishing and versioning.