Overview

Roof Wizard already supports fast, intuitive modelling with three-button mouse functions (Yes / No / Cancel), but you can take it further by assigning keyboard shortcuts to frequently used tasks. This can dramatically speed up repetitive actions, especially on complex projects with many roof planes or cut-outs.

This article covers how to:

Use Function Keys (F-keys)
Enable the right-hand menu
Create custom key macros
Speed up common tasks like digitising outlines or applying cut-outs

First: Turn On the Right-Hand Menu

To access command strings and create key macros, you must turn on the right-hand menu:

Click the Menu button at the top of your screen
From the dropdown, select Menu On

Without this menu enabled, the commands won’t be visible.

What Are Key Macros?

A key macro is a shortcut that triggers a specific command or series of commands using your keyboard. For example, instead of navigating through several menus to digitise a roof outline, you can press one key (like D) to go straight there.

Example Use Case

Task: Digitising a roof outline

Standard steps:
Construct > Const-Roof > Track Outline > Digitize

With a macro:
Press D — and jump straight to digitise

Using Function Keys

You can view or modify the default function key setup:

In your right-hand menu, go to CAD > Defaults > Fkeys
Select any function key (F1–F12) to view or assign a shortcut (except F4)
Tip: Do not change default keys like F4. This button is used to bring a dialog box to the centre of the screen, as sometimes they try to return to a monitor that has been unplugged. Change it and you will lose this ability and have to go searching for it - bit of a nuisance if you have multiple screens and lots of applications open.

Creating Custom Key Macros

To assign your own key macros:

Go to CAD > Defaults > Key-Macro
Follow the prompts in the prompt area
Enter the exact command string you want the key to execute

Command String Example:
To launch a Smartlines trimming function directly:
```
Main Const-Roof Smart-Lines Trim-to-Zline
```
- !Main resets the menu path to the right-hand menu root (important!)
- The rest of the string must match the exact wording and case of the right-hand menu that executes that command
- Command strings are case-sensitive
Press [Yes] to confirm
Test your shortcut
Once you are happy with your new keys, save them by going to:
File > Layout > Save Values
- If it doesn’t work, double-check spelling, case, and that the right-hand menu is on

Tips

You can assign any unused key, including letters (e.g. D for Digitise, C for Cut-Out)
You can only assign one function per key
Always refer to the right-hand menu for the correct command string
Ensure Menu > Menu On is active to see the command strings

Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment

Key macros are safe to try — if something doesn’t work, simply edit or remove it.
You can’t break anything by experimenting, so feel free to play around!
However, be aware that if you create a unique key function and ask the tech-team for help, they may not know what you have setup as it is now 'non-standard'.

Mention this if appropriate when seeking help from the team.

Can I Use Smart Keys or Keyboard Shortcuts?