Construct Roof (custom)

Unlike Build>Draw Roof which creates only Gabled and Hipped roof types, Construct Roof (custom) lets you created unlimited combinations of roofs.

Some roof types you can create:

Contents

Construct a Custom Roof

What is a Roof Segment?

Anchor Points

Piecing Segments Together

Select

Height

Delete

Move

Hide

Lock

Reflections

Modify Edges

Paint and Materials

Cut Holes

Skylights
Dormers

Construct a Custom Roof

This example creates a simple shed roof on four walls with one wall raised:

1. Choose Build> Construct Roof (custom).

2. Cursor changes and you'll see handles.

3. Click handles in a clockwise direction. You won't see the roof segment until you click the third handle (takes at least three points to define a plane.)  
   
   Example:
   
   
   

Important Note: Roof segments are not attached to each other. They are separate independent objects that can be moved.

What is a Roof Segment?

 A roof segment is a flat plane with at least three points.  A segment may be any number of points as long as they're on the same plane. If you try to add points that are not on the same plane, they will be adjusted to fit on the plane defined by the first three points.

Roof segments are not linked. They may be moved independently.

Click Points

When you choose Construct Roof (custom) you will see handles on roofs, walls, floors, columns, posts and other things. Any of these handles may be clicked to define a roof segment.

If you see handles you can anchor a roof to them.

Piecing Segments Together

Roof segments are constructed one segment at a time:

1. Choose "Construct Roof (custom)" to add a roof segment.

2. Click the three red handles on the left in a clockwise direction.

3. Start a new segment by choosing "Construct Roof (custom)" again.

4. Click the three red handles on the right in a clockwise direction.

5. Double-click or press Esc to exit roof mode.

Gambrel Roof Example

Gambrel is a common roof style that has four roof segments. Follow the steps below to create a simple gambrel roof:

1. In 3D or blueprint mode, draw a wall 16 feet long by 9 feet high (108 inches)
    

2. Switch to elevation mode so you see the view in figure 3.
   
   
   figure 3.
    

3. Ctrl-click in the center of the wall top and raise the new red handle to 15 feet Figure 4.
    

4. Choose Build>Dimension>Insert Custom Dimension and add a dimension 40" from the left wall. Figure 4.
    

5. Use the tape measure to measure and draw it even with the right edge of the measurement up to wall peak level. Press Ctrl+K to add the plumb line shown in Figure 4.
    

6. Ctrl-click on the left wall top and drag the red handle up to 12' 6" as shown in Figure 4.
   
   
   Figure 4.
    

7. Repeat steps 4 through 5 to create the right gambrel peak 12' 6" high and 40" from the right wall. Figure 5.
   
   
   Figure 5.
    

8. Go to blueprint mode. Choose Build>Dimension>Draw Custom Dimension and draw a measurement 18 feet (Figure 6.)
    

9. Hold down the shift and Q keys and click-and-drag the wall to the 18' mark as shown in Figure 6.
   
   
   Figure 6.
    

10. Now switch to 3D mode and choose Build> Construct Roof (custom). You'll see red handles and the cursor will turn to a roof.
     

11. The gambrel roof is four segments. So you'll need to click the four red handles one segment at a time as shown in the Figure 7 animation.