Get Started
Get started with the Tervika app.
1. Settings
When you open the app for the first time, start by checking the Settings view. You'll find it at the top of the app, marked with a traditional gear icon.
In Settings you can:
- Select dark or light mode. By default, the app follows your device settings, but you can override this if you prefer.
- Select your preferred language. The default is English.
- Select the distance unit you want to use in the app. The default is kilometers. Note that you can later choose a different unit for each individual distance. This means you can mix "km", "mi", and "nm" on your sign. You can even use meters "m" together with miles "mi".
- Select the measurement units you want to work with. The default is millimeters.
- See which version of the app you are running. This is useful for troubleshooting and communication. Reload the app to make sure you are using the latest version.
2. Create your first sign
On the main page, you will see a "No Sign yet" message. To start your first sign, press the New Sign button at the bottom of the screen. Alternatively, you can browse Example Signs — press the sparkle icon in the top bar or the Browse Examples button on the empty page. Pick an example to copy it as your own sign and use it as a starting point.
This takes you to the New Sign page.
First, enter a name for your sign. You can change it later.
Then type the name of the location where the sign will stand. The app searches online and shows suggestions for you to select.
If your device allows it, you can press Use Current Location to fill it automatically.
You can also choose Pick on Map, which is very convenient.
After selecting a sign location and setting the coordinates, you can change the "Sign Location" text anytime. This makes it fast to find the correct coordinates and then adjust the text for your top plate.
Press Save at the top of the screen. You'll return to the "Signs" page and see your first sign in the list.
To continue, select the sign to open the Edit Sign page.
You'll see the top plate in the Preview. At this stage, don't worry about colors and dimensions.
Next, create your first plate.
From now on, the sign is saved automatically whenever you make changes.
3. Create your first plate
On the Edit Sign page, you'll see a Plates tab showing "0 plates". Press the tab.
On the Plates page, press Add Plate at the bottom.
In the Add Plate view, type the destination you want the sign to point to and display the distance for. It works the same way as when you selected the sign location: type a destination and choose from suggestions, or use Use Current Location or Pick on Map. After the coordinates are set, you can edit the destination text freely.
Press Save at the top. The plate will then be saved automatically whenever you make changes later.
You'll return to the Plates page and see your first plate in the list.
Go back to the Edit Sign page using the back arrow. In the Preview, you'll now see the top plate and your first plate below it. The colors and dimensions are still default values.
Before adding more plates, set up proper dimensions, materials, and colors.
4. Set up the Master Template
When designing a sign, you usually have a clear vision. Instead of defining the same properties multiple times, you can create a template and reuse it for the post, top plate, and plates.
On the Edit Sign page, press the Master Template tab.
This page contains many options. Start from the top and work your way down. It is designed to be self-explanatory.
When finished, press the back arrow at the top. On the Edit Sign page, the Preview will reflect your changes.
5. Adjust the Post
On the Edit Sign page, open the Post tab.
In the Edit Post view, you can make changes that apply only to the post.
If you want to override settings from the Master Template, disable the Use Master Template switch.
6. Adjust the Top Plate
On the Edit Sign page, open the Top Plate tab.
In the Edit Top Plate view, you can make changes that apply only to the top plate.
If you don't want a top plate, disable the Show Top Plate switch.
If you want to display coordinates, enable the Show Coordinates switch.
You can also override Master Template settings by disabling the Use Master Template switch.
7. Add and design more plates
Use the Plates tab on the Edit Sign page to add more plates.
Add as many as you like. If you want a specific plate to differ from the Master Template, disable Use Master Template and adjust it individually.
Save a new plate before making extensive changes.
Return to Edit Sign anytime to check the Preview and follow your progress.
8. Create a text summary of the sign
If you want a document containing all sign data, use the export function. It generates a text summary that you can copy and paste into your preferred text editor.
Press Copy to Clipboard, then paste it into your editor.
A more compact version, including the Master Template, is available as an option at the top of the page.
9. Export to DXF / PDF / 3D
To support manufacturing, you can export the top plate and all plates to DXF. These files can be imported into CAD/CAM software for CNC production in wood, metal, or other materials. You can also use them to create paint masks.
On the Edit Sign page, press the Sign Export tab to open the export view.
When exporting to DXF, you will receive two files per top plate and plate - one for each side. You can also choose to include a CAM file (JSON format) in the export.
The PDF export is handy if you prefer to print a formatted document that include all sign data with measurements and graphics.
Use the 3D export to view your sign in your favourite 3D software, such as Babylon.js Sandbox.
Note on fonts: PDF export requires static TTF fonts. Variable fonts (often named like FontName-VariableFont_wght.ttf) are not supported in PDF export and will fall back to Roboto. DXF export is not affected since text is converted to vector outlines. If you import custom fonts and plan to use PDF export, make sure to use the static version — typically found in a static/ subfolder on sites like Google Fonts.
10. Generate an AI Prompt
The app includes an AI Prompt feature. On the Edit Sign page, press the AI Prompt tab.
Select a Scene Preset and choose a camera direction under Camera Facing.
The prompt appears instantly in a text window. Press Copy to Clipboard and paste it into your preferred AI tool, or edit it first in a text editor.
Do not expect more than 70-80% accuracy. AI models are still inconsistent with directions, shapes, and quantities.
Have fun designing your dream sign!
If you have any issues, feature requests, or other thoughts about the app, feel free to reach out to us at support@tervika.app — we'd love to hear from you!