🧾 Overview
For all standard reports, ###RoofDrawing will usually be sufficient. However, the operator can now control the appearance of roof attributes on the report using ###RoofImage[n].
Important: The Key Text String for the roof image must be placed:
in a text box in a single-cell table in MS Word, or
in a text box in a cell in MS Excel
The size of the single-cell table determines the size of the image.
Failure to insert it in a MS Word single-cell table may cause the software to crash.
🧩 RoofImage switches (###RoofImage[n])
This option allows control over the level of annotation applied to the roof drawing (for example dimensions, roof slope/pitch, and line types) by using “switches” in the required combination.
The following list summarises what is included on the drawing of the roof model.
🔢 Additional annotation switches
1 – Roof planes (1 = on, 0 = off)
2 – Display Walls (2 = on, 0 = off)
4 – Panel layout/Block layout/Offcut layout (4 = on, 0 = off)
8 – Dimensions (8 = on, 0 = off)
16 – Roof Pitch/Slope (16 = on, 0 = off)
32 – Line type (32 = on, 0 = off)
64 – Flashing annotations (64 = on, 0 = off)
128 – Battens/Purlins (128 = on, 0 = off)
256 – Course lines (256 = on, 0 = off)
512 – Downpipes (512 = on, 0 = off)
1024 – Section Details Report (1024 = on, 0 = off)
2048 – Block-Cutting (2048 = on, 0 = off)
4096 – Roof plane areas (4096 = on, 0 = off)
8192 – Display defined Zones (8192 = on, 0 = off)
16384 – Display Automated Roof Plane Labels (16384 = on, 0 = off)
32768 – Not Used
65536 – (for ###RoofImage and ###WallImage only) allows rotation of the image to best fit the text box, otherwise not
➕ How to choose the combination
To get the desired combination, add the values of the switches together.
Examples:
Pitch + dimensions: n = 8 + 16 = 24 →
###RoofImage[24]
Flashing annotation + downpipes: n = 64 + 512 = 576 →
###RoofImage[576]
Roof planes + walls + panel layout + dimensions + battens + downpipes:
n = 1 + 2 + 4 + 8 + 128 + 512 = 655 →###RoofImage[655]
🧾 What must already exist in the model
All required information must already have been placed on the 3D model (normally, this is done during job development).
Exception: pitches/slopes and line types are usually not left with the model (they are typically only used during checking).
If they are not in the model and you select them for the report, they will be added before it processes the key text string.
This provides additional control over the appearance of reports and the level of detail provided.
You can keep it simple with ###RoofDrawing or use ###RoofImage or ###RoofImageC (the C denotes constrained, meaning it will not auto-rotate).
💾 How the image file is generated
Before the roof plan is inserted into the report using ###RoofImage[n], AppliCad creates a separate file of the roof drawing called RoofImage.TIF (a bitmap image file) based on the current view of the 3D model — at the time you select Reporting > Supply+Install and select [Print].
Tip: If you want a plan view, have plan view displayed. If you want perspective or ISO view, select those views before you select Reporting > Supply+Install.
🧱 WallImage switches (###WallImage[n])
WallImage[n] works in the same way for wall reports. The operator can control the appearance of wall attributes using ###WallImage[n], where n is the combination of switches below.
🔢 Wall annotation switches
1 – Display the Wall Plane Shading (1 = On, 0 = Off)
2 – Display Wall Panels (2 = On, 0 = Off)
4 – Display the Wall Dimensions (4 = On, 0 = Off)
8 – Display the Wall Line Types (8 = On, 0 = Off)
16 – Display Flashing Annotation (16 = On, 0 = Off)
32 – Display Wall Battens/Purlins (32 = On, 0 = Off)
64 – Display Wall Section Details (64 = On, 0 = Off)
128 – Display Wall Plane Areas (128 = On, 0 = Off)
256 – Display Overall Dimensions (256 = On, 0 = Off)
512 – Display Automated Wall Plane Labels (512 = On, 0 = Off)
1024 – Display Automated Wall Plane Labels including Windows & Doors (1024 = On, 0 = Off)
2048 – Display Automated Window & Door Labels Only (2048 = On, 0 = Off)
65536 – (for ###RoofImage and ###WallImage only) allows rotation of the image to best fit the text box, otherwise not
These are usually used in conjunction with a wall section report using one of the key text strings for the style of report you require, and may include an isometric view of the structure automatically.
Experiment with the various key text strings to find the style that works for you, or contact the AppliCad support team for advice.
🔄 Auto-Rotate View (Word templates)
The program utility that combines the various roof drawings with the Word report template looks at the style of the target document and will perform additional functions as required.
It only works with Word templates. The view of the roof may be inserted into Word design elements such as a table, text box, or shape.
###RoofDrawing will scale as required, but will not rotate the model image. It will be auto-scaled to the size of the shape or text box unless otherwise controlled.
If you place a table cell into the Word template to define placement, you must set the height and width of the table cell to suit your design.
All drawing types (other than ###RoofDrawing) will auto-scale and auto-rotate to best fit the extents of the defined cell.
If you use Word design elements such as shapes (typically rectangular) or a text box, the drawing will auto-scale but not auto-rotate.
These are limitations of MS Word and not anything AppliCad can control.