> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.arterial.design/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Projects

> The building blocks of analysis on Arterial

Projects are how Arterial organizes your work. They associate *parcels* with policies, massings, and datasets.

Creating a project consists of a few steps:

1. **Parcel selection**: Choose the specific parcels or address where your development will take place
2. **Supplemental policies**: Add any additional zoning regulations or policy constraints that may not be automatically detected
3. **Project targets**: Define the specific parameters and goals for your development project within the as-of-right regulations
4. **Massing setup**: Create the initial 3D building envelope using setback lines and development templates

## Quickstart

<Steps titleSize="h3">
  <Step title="Parcel Selection">
    Projects can be created from either an address or via a [parcel search](/workflows/parcel-search), and can be created from the [project dashboard](https://arterial.design/app/overview), [explore page](https://arterial.design/app/explore), or a project dataset page.

    To begin creating a project, you can select a set of parcels from any supported map above.

    <Frame caption="Parcels can be selected from the project overview map.">
      <iframe src="https://player.mux.com/Tp02CnRBrn2tteaGBpVBl02ElezR01YzoM8qCV8p9WxHOw?accent-color=%239c9586&muted=true&voluem=0" allow="accelerometer; gyroscope; autoplay; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture;" allowfullscreen className="w-full aspect-video" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Supplemental Policies">
    <Info>
      Policies and project details are optional and can be added later. If you want
      to [skip straight](#massing-setup) to the massing steps, use the **"Quick
      Analyze"** option.
    </Info>

    After selecting parcels, Arterial will automatically load in the relevant policies & regulations for the area. In certain cases, policy maps may not be digitized or are dynamic; Arterial will prompt you to fill out the relevant values.

    <Frame caption="Policies and their relevant maps are shown on the next stage.">
      <iframe src="https://player.mux.com/VVlmgg5yVM01Bf6Kub00oNQ3AZtIZnGOCfNiqSPvwJ02iY?accent-color=%239c9586&muted=true&voluem=0" allow="accelerometer; gyroscope; autoplay; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture;" allowfullscreen className="w-full aspect-video" />
    </Frame>

    These policy values inform the regulations that Arterial is able to find; for all necessary manual values, we'll provide the maps and information you need to fill out the correct information.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Project Details">
    The regulations Arterial picks up on inform the *as-of-right* regulations for the selected parcels; in other words, the universe of possibilities for your project.

    Arterial will ask for the details of the project you'd like to build—with parameters resting in the as-of-right range. This final step allows Arterial to find the policies that are specific to your *project*, not just the land.

    <Info>
      To simulate a project that is not allowed as-of-right, you can use the
      [variant simulation](/workflows/upzoning) feature to test policies.
    </Info>

    <Frame caption="All development targets and AOR uses are shown.">
      <iframe src="https://player.mux.com/AlS6XQk02MkoAcqqvGRaINiktgi02dMJblggf101XVg9hQ?accent-color=%239c9586&muted=true&voluem=0" allow="accelerometer; gyroscope; autoplay; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture;" allowfullscreen className="w-full aspect-video" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Massing Setup">
    The final step of project creation is to set up an initial massing profile; this is a 3D model of the project that you'd like to build.

    After selecting either a ready-made template or a blank starter, you can click on the setback lines provided on the map to create your massing profile.

    <Frame caption="Setbacks provide the boundary information for Arterial's simulations.">
      <iframe src="https://player.mux.com/ybIon902TfGHsVzaK02QNUbStet1RBvnHHx3yPiDWhFX4?accent-color=%239c9586&muted=true&voluem=0" allow="accelerometer; gyroscope; autoplay; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture;" allowfullscreen className="w-full aspect-video" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Create a Massing" icon="cuboid" href="/essentials/massing">
    Build 3D visualizations and design your building envelope
  </Card>

  <Card title="Analyze Policies" icon="book-open" href="/essentials/policies">
    Assess the planning risks of your project
  </Card>

  <Card title="Analyze Datasets" icon="layers-2" href="/essentials/datasets">
    Explore market data and development patterns in your area
  </Card>

  <Card title="Analyze with New Parcels" icon="map-pin" href="/workflows/parcel-search">
    Search for additional parcels and expand your project scope
  </Card>
</CardGroup>