Working with Roofs
Adding and Deleting Roofs
The app lets you add automatic and custom roofs. Both roof types can be present on the same floor. In this case, a custom roof takes the specified area, and an auto roof takes the rest. It is recommended that you use auto roofs wherever possible. Custom roofs are only available in the Pro edition.
Adding an Auto Roof
Auto roofs are designed so that they take all of the available space. This area is defined by the contour of the external walls, or the contour of the floor.
To add or delete an auto roof, use the Building tab of the Inspector.
1 – Add an auto roof above the current story.
2 – Add an auto roof on the current story.
To add a roof on the current story or above it, tap on the respective button in the Inspector. If it is necessary, the upper story will be added automatically. The app will open the Roof Assistant where you can choose the roof type (e.g. Gable or Mansard).
Once a roof has been added, you can modify its properties using the Inspector. To change the roof type using the Roof Assistant, select the Change Roof Type command in the context menu of the roof.
After a roof has been created, the corresponding button in the Inspector changes its function from adding to removing.
To convert an auto roof to a custom roof, choose Make Roof Editable from the context menu of the roof. The reverse operation is not supported. In order to replace a custom roof with an auto roof, delete the custom roof and add a new auto roof. This feature is only available in the Pro edition.
Adding a Custom Roof
To add a rectangular roof, draw it on the floor plan using the Roof Rect tool. Touch the floor plan and drag the finger aside. In this way, you specify one corner of the roof's outline. Detach your finger off the screen at the point where the opposite corner should be located.
As soon as you finish drawing a roof, the app will open the Roof Assistant where you can choose the roof type.
To add a polygonal roof, activate the Roof Poly tool. Tap and drag to create one of the roof sides. Detach your finger to specify the location of a corner. Tap at locations where other corners should appear. To stop drawing, tap on the Complete button in the toolbar. Then use the Roof Assistant to select the type of the roof.
To change the shape or size of a custom roof on the floor plan, select the roof and drag one of its corner or side handles.
To modify the shape of a custom roof, long-press on it in order to bring up its context menu. Then choose Edit Contour from the context menu. For a shortcut, you can just double-tap on the roof. The resize handles will disappear indicating the contour editing mode. The app will display the object's outline with handles at corners called "points". To change the shape of the outline, you can move points.
To add a new point, long-press on the contour and choose Add Point. To remove a point, long-press on it and select Remove Point.
You can set up the properties of a custom roof in the Inspector. In order to change the roof type using the Roof Assistant, select the Change Roof Type command in the context menu of the roof.
The functionality described in this subsection is only available in the Pro edition.
Deleting a Roof
To delete an auto roof, select the story where the roof is located, and tap the Remove autoroof from the current story button in the Inspector.
To delete a custom roof, select it and tap the Delete button. (Pro edition only)
The roof will also be removed if you delete the story that it rests on.
The Roof Assistant
The Roof Assistant helps you add a standard roof to your building.
1 – Soffit type. You can also change it in the Object Properties tab of the Inspector.
2 – Preview of your project with the added roof. To rotate the picture, drag it around with a finger. To zoom in or out, use the pinch gesture.
3 – Roof orientation. You can turn the roof in 90 degree increments.
4 – Roofing templates.
You can also move a custom roof one story up or down using the two buttons below the preview. (Pro edition only)
The Roof Assistant opens up when you add a new roof, and when you run the Change Roof Type command.
The Change Roof Type command actually recreates the roof from scratch. This means that the materials applied to the original roof will be replaced with default ones. All objects installed into the roof (e.g. windows or dormers) can disappear. The same happens when you call the Make Roof Editable command. You should, therefore, use these commands as early in your workflow as possible.