The free CCTV design tool to plan the whole system before the first cable is pulled
The Worldstar Site Planner is a browser-based CCTV design tool and camera layout planner. Lay out cameras, recorders, network gear, access control and site lighting on a satellite map, a blank grid or your own floor plan drawing. See what every camera covers by day and by night, check the cabling and PoE, and turn the plan into an estimate or a quote request.
- Free customer account, nothing to install
- Works in your browser on a computer or tablet
- Import PDF, PNG, JPG, WebP or DXF floor plans
- Approved dealers get prices, estimates and sharing
Guesswork on site costs time and money
A camera that can’t identify a face, a run that’s too long or a switch without enough PoE usually shows up after the install. The Site Planner catches these on screen.
Without a plan
- Camera positions picked by eye, with blind spots found later
- No clear idea what a camera can recognize at night
- Cable lengths and boxes estimated on the back of a quote
- PoE budgets and NVR channels checked after ordering
- A quote the customer can’t picture
With the Site Planner
- Camera views and DORI bands drawn on the real site or your own floor plan, clipped by walls and objects
- Night view shows each camera’s IR or white-light coverage and where lights help
- Cable runs measured, with slack, service loops and boxes counted, and conduit estimated for dealers
- Warnings for long copper runs, PoE budget, ports and NVR channels
- A clear plan with an equipment list, ready to print or send
Camera placement with real DORI distances
Drag the curved front edge of a varifocal camera’s view to zoom right on the map. The view angle and DORI distances update as you drag, and zoom stops at the camera’s spec limits.
- Detect, Observe, Recognize and Identify bands on every view
- Zoom points with a readout of view angle, zoom, lens and distance; Max zoom, Min zoom and Max range per specs shown at the limits
- Sample person, face or license plate at the set distance, with the DORI level it reaches
Security camera layout on real maps
Search the address, pin the site and switch between Satellite and Streets. Pick devices with a smart search that shows product pictures.
- Cat6, Cat6A, single-mode and multi-mode fiber runs
- Lengths come from the map, with slack and boxes counted
- Copper runs over 328 ft (100 m) are flagged
- Smart search by name, SKU, ports or channels, with pictures
Know what your cameras see after dark
Pick the scene lighting, from daylight to moonlight, or type a lux value. The map goes dark and each camera’s view lights up the way that camera would see it: black and white with IR, in color with white light, dim and grainy where there isn’t enough light.
- Scene lighting in lux
- IR / white light: Auto, IR, White, Off
- Site lights by type, technology and lumens
- Estimated lux rings
- Badges for missing night specs
Light the site, not just the camera
Place pole lights, wall packs, floodlights, bollards and street lights. Walls still block, and the lights you place add light where they reach.
- Technology, lumens, mount height and beam angle
- Estimated lux rings on the map
- Lights included in the equipment list
Bring your own floor plan or drawing
Add a PDF, PNG, JPG or WebP drawing to any plan, or use it as the background for an indoor job with no map. CAD drawings in DXF turn straight into walls, rooms and openings.
- DXF import: pick the wall layers, preview, then import walls, rooms, doors and windows in one step
- Move, scale, rotate and fade the drawing
- Calibrate the scale: click two points and type the real distance
- Several drawings per plan, lock, hide and reorder them
- Included in PNG and print / PDF exports
Every tool in one tidy menu
Devices and tools sit in a left menu with flyouts for CCTV, Network, Access control, Objects, Security / Perimeter and Tools. Each group button shows the last tool you picked, so one click places it again. Star your favorites, switch to Night or Day, and choose Dark or Light.
- Favorites for the cameras and devices you place most
- Estimate, Export and Settings one click away
- Dealers also get a Dealer tools menu to jump to their dashboard, estimates, invoices, spec sheets and calculators
- Smaller label sizes
- Modern text fields
- Show / hide password eyes
Faster layouts, cleaner prints, perimeter security
The newest updates make it quicker to copy and find devices, add gates and barriers, and hand over a clean printout.
Ctrl + drag to copy
Hold Ctrl (Cmd on a Mac) and drag an item or a whole selection to drop a copy. Copies get the next free label, and one Undo removes them.
Devices tab
See every device on the plan, search it, and rename devices. Click a name and the map glides to that device and selects it.
Security / Perimeter tools
Fence lines, sliding, swing and double swing gates, barrier arms, vehicle barriers, bollards, security posts and turnstiles. Sizes stay editable, and they show in the legend, print and PNG.
Objects group and building defaults
Door/Win, Object, Add column and Add stairs have their own toolbar group. Doors, windows and openings go in at the plan’s building defaults, then you edit width, height and sill.
Print options and close-ups
Leave out sizes, wall measurements or DORI bands, set the overview zoom with Fit or Whole map, and add a close-up of each device. Labels are moved apart so they don’t overlap.
Sharper PNG export
Export PNG uses the print layout at 2x resolution, cropped to the plan, with thin walls and tidy labels. Save PNG sits right in Print options.
Share with a link
Copy link gives you the plan’s view-only link in one click (dealers). On phones with a share sheet, a Share button is there too.
Site address from the map
Pick an address in the map search, and it fills in the site address for the plan’s site details and the quote request.
Create estimate (dealers)
Turn the selected items, or every device on the plan, into a new draft estimate at your normal selling prices. You review it before anything is sent.
Faster rooms, walls and floor plans
The latest updates make it quicker to draw a building and see exactly what each camera can see.
Rooms with walls
Add room can draw all four walls for you, with an optional doorless opening. Doors, windows and openings go in at your building defaults (a 3 ft door, for example), and you set the exact width after placing.
Import CAD floor plans (DXF)
Pick the layers that hold walls. Lines become walls, rectangles become rooms, and door and window blocks become openings. DWG files can be saved as DXF first.
Walls block camera view
Solid walls cut camera views and DORI bands, and the space behind them is left empty. Doors, windows, openings, glass walls and fences let the view through.
Lock a room to its walls
Rooms find and link the walls along their edges, so they move, resize, copy and delete together. Add missing walls fills any gaps.
Select several items
Box select or Ctrl + click, then move, nudge or delete them together, with one Undo. Hold Space to pan with any tool.
Room labels where you want them
Drag a room’s name and area label, or pick a Label position from Top left to Bottom right. Double-click to reset.
Conduit and EMT, calculated per cable run
Turn on Run in conduit / EMT for a cable run and get an ordering estimate: conduit length, 10 ft sticks, couplings, connectors and straps.
- EMT, rigid, PVC Schedule 40 or flex; size 1/2 to 2 inch or Auto
- Parts flow into the bill of materials, the materials and labor calculator and the estimate, with your own names and prices
- An estimate for ordering, not a code calculation
Estimates, install materials and your own prices
A full-page estimate editor with its own left menu. Add discounts, save your own products and price more than 100 install materials once.
- Per-line and whole-estimate discounts, applied before tax
- My products and a 100+ item install materials catalog that starts with blank prices
- Weekly suggested prices appear only where your price is blank, and they are rough estimates that may be missing
- Show or hide pricing and company info on screen and in print
- A key phrase protects customer details, with change, recovery codes and reset
CCTV design software features, in your browser
Everything you need to design a security camera system, from the first camera to the last cable box. No software to download.
Map-based layout
Start from a satellite map, a floor plan image or a blank grid, with the address pinned and the scale set.
Satellite / Streets
Switch the base map between satellite imagery and a street map whenever you need.
FOV and DORI cones
Each camera shows its view with Detect, Observe, Recognize and Identify bands. Drag the handle to aim it and set the range.
Walls and objects
Draw walls, rooms and objects. Solid ones block the view and the hidden area is left empty; trees and hedges shade it.
Varifocal zoom on the map
Drag the curved front edge of the view. Zoom points, a readout and spec limits keep it realistic.
DORI preview photos
See a person, face or license plate at the set distance, pixelated to the camera’s pixel density.
Night view with lux
Choose the scene lighting or type a lux value and see how the site looks after dark.
IR / white light
Auto, IR on, white light on or off, using each camera’s night specs.
Site lights by lumens
Place pole lights, wall packs, floodlights, bollards and street lights by technology and lumens, with estimated lux rings.
Cable runs and fiber
Cat6, Cat6A, single-mode and multi-mode fiber. Copper runs over 328 ft (100 m) are flagged; totals include slack and boxes.
Rack equipment
Racks with switches, NVRs, patch panels and UPS, with PoE budget, port and NVR channel checks.
Estimates (dealers)
Dealer prices on the bill of materials, materials and labor, then one click to an estimate with discounts and your own products.
Sharing and collaboration (dealers)
Invite editors, commenters or viewers, with live updates and an activity log. Copy the view-only link in one click.
PDF and print export
Print a clean PDF with its equipment list, choose what to leave out, set the zoom and add a close-up of each device. PNG exports at 2x. Dealers can hide prices and company info.
Smart product search
Search by name, SKU, ports or channels. Results show product pictures and exact SKU matches first.
Floor plan and drawing import
PDF, PNG, JPG or WebP. Move, scale, rotate, fade and calibrate with two points, or use as an indoor background. DXF files import as walls, rooms and openings.
Left menu and themes
Flyouts, Favorites, Night / Day, and Dark or Light. Dealers also get a Dealer tools menu.
Conduit / EMT estimate (dealers)
Conduit length, sticks, couplings, connectors and straps per cable run. An estimate, not a code calculation.
Show / hide pricing (dealers)
Hide dealer prices or company info on screen and in print. Passwords get a show / hide eye too.
Install materials (dealers)
A catalog of 100+ install materials and labor items. Enter your own prices; weekly suggested prices fill blanks only.
Design a CCTV system in three steps
Start the plan
Search the address on a satellite map, upload a floor plan or start on a grid, add a PDF or DXF drawing if you have one, then set the scale.
Place and check
Add rooms with walls, cameras, lights, racks and cable runs. Link products with the smart search so the specs fill in, zoom the lenses, check DORI, Night view and the network warnings.
Quote or estimate
Customers request a quote from Worldstar. Dealers add the plan to an estimate. Everyone can print or save a PDF.
From plan to paid
Design the system, estimate it and invoice it, all from your dealer account.
Design
Lay out cameras, network gear, access control and perimeter items in the Site Planner. Link products so the specs fill in, check coverage, cabling and PoE, then print a branded plan.
Estimate
Use Add to Estimate or Create estimate (selected items or the whole plan). A draft opens at your normal selling prices with the cable line, and you can attach the plan. Add materials, labor and discounts, then share it with your customer to approve.
Invoice
Convert the estimate to an invoice in one click, with the same lines, discount, tax and shipping. Print or save a branded PDF, send the customer link, and record payments as they come in. Status moves from Unpaid to Partial to Paid.
Estimates and invoices are for approved dealer accounts. Customers send their plan to Worldstar for a quote.
See the Site Planner in action
A full walkthrough, and a short tour of what is new. Sample data only, no prices. Features added since these videos, like Ctrl + drag copies, the Devices tab, Security / Perimeter tools and print options, are covered on this page and in the guide.
Full walkthrough (3:03). Watch on YouTube
What’s new in 1.20 (1:27). Watch on YouTube
Built for dealers. Great for customers.
Both get the full planner, including maps, drawings, DORI, Night view and site lights. Here is only what differs.
Built for dealers
- PricesYour dealer prices on the bill of materials, with show / hide pricing and company info
- EstimatesMaterials and labor, then Add to Estimate or Create estimate from selected items or the whole plan, with discounts and My products; turn estimates into invoices
- ConduitConduit / EMT estimate on cable runs, with your install materials prices
- Dealer toolsA menu to your dashboard, estimates, invoices, spec sheets and calculators
- SharingInvite editors, commenters and viewers; view-only links with Copy link
- BrandingPNG and PDF with your company logo
- PlansNo plan limit, 15 MB uploads
Great for customers
- QuoteSend the plan and equipment list to Worldstar for a quote for the whole system
- Equipment listProduct names, SKUs and quantities, no prices
- Shared plansView and comment on plans shared with you
- ExportPNG and print / PDF
- Floor plansImport PDF, PNG, JPG or WebP drawings
- PlansUp to 3 plans, 10 MB uploads
Want dealer pricing? Register as a dealer.
Questions, answered
Is this a free CCTV design tool?
Yes. The Worldstar Site Planner is a free CCTV design tool for customers: create a free account and design your camera layout in the browser. Approved Worldstar dealers get prices, estimates and sharing from their dealer account.
Is there CCTV design software I need to download?
No. It is web-based CCTV design software, so there is nothing to download or install. It runs in a modern web browser on a computer or tablet.
Can I use it as a security camera placement planner for homes and businesses?
Yes. Place cameras on a satellite map, a blank grid or your own floor plan for a home, store, office, warehouse or parking lot, and check coverage, DORI distances, night view, cabling and PoE before you install.
Is the Site Planner free?
Yes. Customers create a free account and plan right away. Approved dealers use it from their dealer account, with prices and estimates added.
Do I need to install anything?
No. The planner runs in your web browser on a computer or tablet. Plans are saved in your Worldstar account.
Can I plan on a satellite map?
Yes. Search the site address, then switch between Satellite and Streets at any time. You can also start on a blank grid or bring in your own floor plan or drawing.
Can I import a floor plan or PDF?
Yes. Add a PNG, JPG, WebP or PDF drawing (up to 10 MB) to any plan, or import a DXF CAD file to turn its lines into walls, rooms and openings. Move, scale, rotate and fade it, then calibrate the scale by clicking two points and typing the real distance. For an indoor plan you can use the drawing as the background with no map. The drawing is included in PNG and print / PDF exports.
What does Night view show?
Pick the scene lighting, from daylight to dark, or type a lux value. The map goes dark and each camera’s view shows what that camera would see, using its IR or white-light range and minimum illumination. Lights you place add light where they reach. Results are planning estimates.
Do walls block a camera’s view?
Yes. With Walls block camera view on (the default), solid walls and objects cut each camera’s view and DORI bands, and the area behind them is left empty. Doors, windows, openings, glass walls and fences let the view through. Views are cut in 2D, so check mounting height and real obstructions on site.
How does varifocal zoom work?
Select a varifocal camera and drag one of the round zoom points on the far corners of its view: toward the centerline to zoom in, outward to zoom out. A readout shows the view angle, zoom, lens and distance. Zoom and range stop at the camera’s spec limits and the readout shows Max zoom, Min zoom or Max range per specs.
Can I search for products with pictures?
Yes. The device picker uses a smart search by name, model, SKU, port count or channels (for example 8 port PoE switch or 8ch NVR). Results show product pictures, and an exact SKU match is tagged. Dealers get the same search when they add products to an estimate.
How accurate are DORI distances and the preview photo?
They are approximate planning values based on the camera’s resolution, lens and view angle, following the IEC 62676-4 pixel-density levels. Always check the product spec sheet before you install.
What is different for dealers?
Dealers see their dealer prices, add materials and labor, turn a plan into an estimate with discounts and their own products, estimate conduit on cable runs, share plans with editors and commenters, and print with their own logo. They can also show or hide pricing and company info. Customers send the plan to Worldstar for a quote.
Does it calculate conduit?
For dealers, yes, as an estimate. Run in conduit / EMT on a cable run gives conduit length, 10 ft sticks, couplings, connectors and straps for EMT, rigid, PVC or flex, with a trade size you pick or Auto. The parts go to the bill of materials and the estimate using your own install materials prices. It is an estimate for ordering, not a code calculation.
Where do suggested prices come from?
Dealers can set their own prices for more than 100 install materials. Once a week the site looks up public retail prices and shows them as a suggestion only where your own price is blank. They are rough estimates, some items may have no suggestion, and your own price always wins.
Can I hide prices when I show a plan?
Yes. Dealers can show or hide pricing and company info on screen and in print, and the estimate and invoice editors follow the same choices.
How many plans can I save?
Free customer accounts can keep up to 3 plans with uploads up to 10 MB. Dealer accounts have no plan limit and uploads up to 15 MB.
Who do I contact with questions?
Email sales@worldstarcctv.com and our team will help.
Design your next system today
Free for customers. Built for Worldstar dealers. Questions? Email sales@worldstarcctv.com.
Screenshots show sample plans. Coverage, DORI distances, lux values and conduit quantities are approximate planning estimates; check product spec sheets and local code before you install.