Menu path
Modify Roof > Cut-Out
This command allows you to cut out holes and parts of existing roof planes. You would commonly use this to cut out the second storey shape from the first storey roof, but you can use this command at any time to cut out sections of roof planes.
🧾 Cut-Out Dialog Settings
The Cut-Out dialog box opens first, where you set the method for defining the cut-out shape and how you want to select the planes to cut out.
🔧 Defining the Cut-Out Area
You can define the cut-out area using four methods:
Method | Description |
Digitising the Cut-Out | Allows you to digitise (manually draw) around the required outline, normally by snapping to existing wall outline |
Tracking the Cut-Out | Allows you to track around the required cut-out shape |
Auto-Tracking the Cut-Out | Only works if a closed polygon or series of connecting lines exist around existing line work (e.g., second storey wall outline). By selecting the first line of the required outline, the outline is automatically generated around the remainder of the closed outline |
Rectangular Area | Allows you to automatically specify a rectangular cut-out shape of a given area. After entering the required area, specify whether the rectangular shape area should be calculated on the roof pitch or flat |
🛠 Using Rectangular Cut-Out
Once you select OK with the Rectangular Area method, drag the rectangle shape over the required roof plane. The rectangle orients itself on that roof plane based on the roof pitch.
Function keys F1 to F4 can be used to make the rectangle wider or higher, depending on your requirements.
This function provides considerable benefit to solar tile specifiers who can calculate an area of a roof to place solar tiles within and have the area maintained and changed to Shingle or Shake plane type so that solar tiles can be estimated at the same time as normal tiles.
🔧 Selecting Roof Planes to Cut Out
Selection Method | Description |
Using Visible Roof Planes | Automatically selects and cuts out any visible roof plane within the cut-out boundary |
Selecting the Roof Planes to Cut-out | Allows you to manually select the roof planes to cut out. Only the planes within the cut-out boundary will be cut out |
Selecting the Storey to Cut-out | Allows you to select specific storey(s) to be cut out during the actual cut-out phase from a list in the dialog box  |
Tip:
If you set the command to 'Select the visible roof planes', you can use Tools > Set-Display to change the screen display (e.g., turn off second storey roof and first storey walls), so only the required roof planes are displayed.
🔧 Managing New Roof Planes
You can choose what happens to the new roof planes within the cut-out boundary:
Delete them - Creates the cut-out
Keep them - Useful if they form new roof geometry
🛠 Step-by-Step Procedure
Access Modify Roof > Cut-Out
In the Cut-Out dialog, select your preferred method for defining the cut-out area
Choose how you want to select the roof planes to cut out
Decide whether to keep or delete new roof planes within the boundary
Click OK
Use digitise, track, or auto-track to draw around the cut-out shape
Close the outline
Confirm that you want the visible roof planes cut out
Select the planes or storey(s) to cut
All selected roof planes are tested against the cut-out shape and the parts within the cut-out area are deleted
💡 Keyboard Shortcuts
While creating the cut-out outline, you can:
Type U/D/R/L (Up/Down/Right/Left) and an exact measurement in the required direction
Use C to close the outline square