One of the features that will set your design apart from all others will be its roofline. Using the roofing tools available in This Software, you can design intricate roofs with ease. From basic rooflines, like hipped or gable, to less common ones, like saltbox, gambrel, or a roof over a bay window, you will be able to create any roof to match the style of your home plan.

Automatically Adding a Roof

You can add a hip roof or a gable roof to an enclosure with just two mouse clicks. If a gable wall style is detected, the roof panels are created, matching the wall pitch.

The roof’s properties are controlled by the Automatic Roof Options, where you can specify the roof pitch, soffit depth, generation preferences, and framing options.

After an auto-roof is generated, edit the roof panels as you would a typical, manually drawn roof, and the panels can be updated when you make changes to the perimeter walls. To control auto-roof settings, see “Auto-Roof Properties”

To remove the roof, delete the roof panels in the design window.

To automatically add a hip roof

1. Move the cursor over the outer walls of your design until you see a light blue highlighted perimeter. Click the perimeter. After selection, it becomes yellow and the Perimeter properties are displayed on the Properties tab.
2. On the Properties tab, click Generate Roof. A hip roof is generated based on the current automatic roof options.

Auto-Roof Properties

Automatic roofs are built instantaneously, however can control the settings that are used and update the roof if you need to adjust it. Auto-roof properties are controlled in the Automatic Roof Options window.

• Roof Pitch Select either Ratio or Angle to specify how you want to set the roof pitch and then type the pitch you want in the corresponding text box.
• Soffit Depth Type the depth you want in the Soffit Depth text box.
• Roof Perimeter

When the Automatically generates panels when changed checkbox is selected, the roof panels are created automatically, and updated automatically if the perimeter walls are moved or resized. When deselected, you must click the Build Roof button on the Properties tab to generate the panels manually.

• When the Clips automatic roofs on other floors checkbox is selected, roof panels are removed from the interior of other levels so a roof is not built inside.
• Framing Options control the underlying roof
• framing. To see the roof framing, you must use the Framing render style in the 3D view. For more information, see “Accessing the 3D Rendering Styles”.
• Rafter Size defines the width of the rather boards.
• Rafter Spacing defines the distances between each rafter board.
• Rafter Material specifies the rafter building material.

Note: For truss roof framing, you should create a roof using one of the roof shape tools or freehand roof tools.

To edit automatic roof options

1. Move the cursor over the outer walls of your design until you see a light blue highlighted perimeter. Click the perimeter. After selection, it becomes yellow and the Perimeter properties are displayed on the Properties tab.
2. On the Properties tab, click the Options button.
3. Edit the options as needed and then click OK.

Adding a Predefined Roof Shape

There are several styles of roofs available in This Software. Automatic dimensioning makes it easy to achieve exact placement.

When the tool is active you can edit the properties on the Properties tab. You can also edit the properties after the roof has been placed by selecting the roof in your drawing.

Be sure you are working on the floor where you want to add the roof (for example, to draw a roof over a one-story structure you should be on the first floor).

The following components are available in the Roof Below are some references that may be helpful as you design:

■ Roof Properties

■ AutoSnap and Alignment Options

■ Elevating Objects

■ Wall Properties (for matching the gable ends of these roof style)

■ Moving a Selection & Nudging a Selection

■ Applying Building Materials & Applying Paint and Color

■ Customizing Roof Framing Properties

Note: The arrows show which way the roof section descends. The elevation of the roof is displayed in the design window.

Using the Freehand Roof Tools

This Software includes freehand roof tools that provide versatility and power, when drawing complex roofing plans. Using the three-point and four-point freehand tools, roof sections are attached to walls, making it easy to draw them the necessary size the first time. After drawing roof sections, all parts of it can be customized, for example, pitch, placement, or shape. With the three- and four-point freehand tools you can specify a width for soffit.

You can resize and reshape the roof by dragging end points. You can also drag the arrow in the center of the roof section to rotate it and change the direction of the roof slope, or right-click an edge and choose Set Slope to Edge to specify which edge of the roof slopes to the top of the wall.

The following freehand roofs are available:

• Freehand Roof
• Four-Point Freehand Roof (in the Freehand Roof toolset)
• Three-Point Freehand Roof (in the Freehand Roof toolset) Below are some references that may be helpful as you design:
• Roof Properties
• AutoSnap and Alignment Options

Freehand Roof

The Freehand Roof Tool allows you to create a roof section using a 2D shape draw method. You can set the pitch and the point to which the elevation is measured on the Properties tab before or after you add the roof. The elevation of each selected point of the roof section is notated; use these specs to match other roof sections.

**To draw a freehand roof **

1. On the Roof plan toolbar, click the Freehand Roof Tool.
2. On the Properties tab, click the Draw Method drop-down menu and choose the shape you want.
3. Use the Define 2D Shape drawing method to draw a freehand roof section.

Freehand roof drawn using the Closed Polygon draw method

Four-Point Freehand Roof

The Four-Point Freehand Roof Tool creates a rectangular roof section attached to a wall. The roof is drawn to cover the entire wall segment. You can define the pitch and the soffit settings on the Properties tab before you add the roof, and then edit the pitch and elevation after the roof has been placed.

As you draw the roof, a rubber band line is displayed and follows the pointer. This line signifies the direction the roof section will rise. Also, dimensions are displayed as you draw.

**To draw a four-point freehand roof **

1. On the Roof plan toolbar, click the Four-Point Freehand Roof Tool from the Freehand Roof toolset.
2. Position your cursor on a wall in the design window then click and drag away from the wall section. Release the mouse button to place.

Note: The elevation of each selected point of the roof section is notated; use these specs to match other roof sections.

Three-Point Freehand Roof

The Three-Point Freehand Roof Tool creates a triangular roof section attached to a wall. The base of the roof is drawn to cover the entire wall segment. You can define the pitch and the soffit settings on the Properties tab before you add the roof, and then, if necessary, edit the pitch and elevation after the roof has been placed.

As you draw the roof, a rubber band line is displayed and follows the pointer. This line signifies the direction the roof section will rise. Also, dimensions are displayed as you draw.

To draw a three-point freehand roof

1. On the Roof plan toolbar, click the Three-Point Freehand Roof Tool from the Freehand Roof toolset.
2. Position your cursor on a wall in the design window then click and drag away from the wall section. Release the mouse button.

Note: The elevation of each selected point of the roof section is notated; use these specs to match other roof sections.

Adding a Dormer

Dormers can add space to your interior and a unique look to your exterior. You can quickly add a dormer to a roof panel in your design with the Dormer Tool.

Below are some references that may be helpful as you design:

• Roof Properties
• AutoSnap and Alignment Options
• Elevating Objects
• Wall Properties
• Moving a Selection & Nudging a Selection
• Applying Building Materials & Applying Paint and Color

Dormer Components

Dormers are composed of multiple components, including roof panels, a dormer cutout to remove the existing roof section where the dormer is added, a window, and dormer styled walls. You can edit each of these components individually after the dormer is placed.

Dormer Properties

When you add a dormer, it is placed based on the properties that are defined on the Properties tab. You can edit these properties before you add the dormer, however to edit the dormer properties after it is placed, you must edit the individual components that make up the dormer.

Note: Press ENTER to accept new values in text boxes.

• Dormer Style lets you choose the type of dormer you want to add to your roof.

Note: You cannot change the dormer style after the dormer has been added to your design.

• Sizing defines the overall width and height of the dormer.
• Base Pitch defines the slope of the dormer walls. The wall pitch ultimately affects the depth of the dormer from the roof; a higher the pitch value results in a shallower dormer, while a lower pitch value creates a dormer that extends further from the roof. If the Base Pitch does not match the existing roof’s pitch, you may need to adjust the dormer to position it correctly.
• When the Use Detected Pitch checkbox is selected, the Base Pitch value is ignored and the dormer walls are created to match the pitch of the existing roof panel.
• Gable/Hip Pitch defines the slope of the roof panels for gable and hip style dormers. The higher the pitch, the steeper the roof slope. For example, 10:12 means the roof rises 10” for every 12” of the roof.
• Shed Pitch defines the slope of the roof panel for a shed style dormer. The higher the pitch, the steeper the roof slope.
• Display Pitch Angles checkbox controls how the pitch values are displayed. When selected, the pitch values change to show the pitch angle in the text boxes rather than inches.
• Include Windows checkbox control whether windows are included with the dormer. When selected, windows are included. You can edit windows in a dormer just like any other window in your design.

To add a dormer

1. On the Roof plan toolbar, click the Dormer Tool.
2. Choose the Dormer Style on the Properties tab and edit the Sizing and Pitch settings as needed.
3. Use the Click Once to Place drawing method to place the dormer on a roof panel in your design.

Creating a Dormer Cutout

A cutout tool is available for removing part of a roof panel. This way you can manually draw cutouts using the available draw method shapes. Dormer cutouts must be drawn on an existing roof panel in your design, and the entire shape must exist on the same roof panel.

Below are some references that may be helpful as you design:

1. Changing Curve Tension
2. Roof Properties
3. AutoSnap and Alignment Options
4. Elevating Objects
5. Moving a Selection & Nudging a Selection

**To add a dormer cutout **

1. On the Roof plan toolbar, click the Dormer Cutout Tool.
2. On the Properties tab, click the Draw Method drop-down menu and choose the shape you want.
3. Use the Define 2D Shape drawing method to draw the cutout section on a roof panel.

This example shows a dormer cutout drawn using the Rectangle from Corner shape

Roof Properties

Once drawn, roof sections can be altered to suit your design. From resizing to rotating the slope to changing its pitch, This Software makes it simple to create even the most complex roofline. Roofs are defined by their pitch, elevation, size, and their slope direction. You can edit the properties before you draw or after the component has been added to your design by selecting it and clicking the Properties tab.

Note: Press ENTER to accept new values in text boxes.

1. Pitch affects how steep a roof appears. For example, 10:12 means the roof rises 10” for every 12” of the roof. To create a flat roof, select Custom and type 0.0 in the text box.
2. Elevation specifies whether the roof elevation is measured from the ground to the base of the roof section or from the ground to the peak of the roof section.
3. Pitch Angle allows you to specify an angle for the pitch.
4. Curve options control curvature. For more information, see “Changing Curve Tension”.
5. Auto-Dimension checkbox controls the displays of dimensions in 2D. If automatic dimensions are not displayed for the entire drawing, roof dimensions are not displayed. For details on controlling the automatic dimensions display “Dimensioning”.
6. Slope Direction is controlled on the roof in the design window. Drag the arrow, or right-click an edge and choose Set Slope to Edge.

                    Elevation measured to Base Elevation measured to Peak

Note: Rotation is constrained to 15-degree increments.

Adding a Skylight

Skylights are windows cut into the roof. They add a touch of elegance, in addition to letting in more natural light. When the tool is active you can choose the Skylight style you want from the Properties tab. You can also change the skylight style before or after it has been placed in your drawing. Skylights must be placed on an existing roof panel in your design.

Below are some references that may be helpful as you design:

1. Skylight Properties
2. AutoSnap and Alignment Options
3. Elevating Objects
4. Moving a Selection & Nudging a Selection
5. Applying Building Materials & Applying Paint and Color

**To add a skylight **

Skylight Properties

Skylights are defined by their width, height, and trim size. You can edit the properties before you draw or after the component has been added to your design by selecting it and clicking the Properties tab.

1. Skylight Style drop-down menu provides access to a variety of skylight styles.
2. The Custom Skylight style includes a number of additional categories to choose from.
3. Glass Pane can be enabled/disable using Render Glass. Glass panes are ignored by default when applying materials or colors. To change the material or color of the glass, hold the Ctrl button when dragging onto the glass.

1. Width defines the distance from one side of the skylight to the other.
2. Height defines the distance from the bottom of the skylight to the top.
3. Trim defines the width of the trim around the skylight. This is not included in the overall height or width.

Drawing a Gambrel Roof

The Gambrel roof, or barn roof, is a popular style because it increases the usable space in the loft/attic area. A gambrel roof is composed of two pitches. The lower sections are created using the Four-Point Freehand Roof Tool, while the upper pitch will be drawn using the Gable Roof Tool.

Below are some references that may be helpful as you design:

1. Four-Point Freehand Roof
2. Roof Properties
3. Breaking a Wall
4. Drawing Walls

**To draw a gambrel roof **

1. Use the Four-Point Freehand Roof Tool to draw a roof section on one of the walls.
2. Draw a matching four-point freehand roof on the opposing wall using the same roof pitch.

(alternatively) Use copy and paste to create a copy of the existing roof section and change the roof direction so the panel are the exact same dimensions.

At this point there will be a gap between the two roof sections; this gap will be filled with the Gable Roof section.

Note: Note the elevation that is specified in red as the upper elevation of the roof section.

3- Use the Gable Roof Tool to draw a gable roof between the two freehand roof panels. Thereof pitch should not be as steep as the lower roof sections.

4- Elevate the gable roof to the top elevation of the freehand roof panels.

Note: The previous example specified 12:12 and 4:12 pitches, but any combination of pitches will work for this roof.