Menu path
Cover > Select Tile > Coursing button
What it does
The coursing feature lets you perform tile estimation by simulating the laying of tiles course by course from the eave upwards. This method actually lays the pieces course by course on the roof model and counts them, rather than using the area method which calculates quantity based on pieces per square metre.
If you don't want to estimate by coursing, you can skip this step and the estimate will default to the area method.
How to use it
Select your tile from the materials library
Click the Coursing button in the tile selection dialog
Configure the coursing settings in the dialog that appears
Click OK to apply coursing lines to your roof model
Review the tile count displayed in the dialog
🧾 Coursing settings
The Tile Coursing dialog displays your selected tile and its coverage data. Configure these settings to control how tiles are laid:
Field | Description |
Required Gauge | The gauge you want to use when "Use the required gauge" option is selected |
Gauge calculation | Toggle between using your entered gauge or letting the system calculate an appropriate gauge |
Coverage width | The effective width of the tile |
Gutter overhang | The amount you want the first course to overhang into the gutter. Can also be used to offset the location of the second course |
Max ridge gap | The maximum gap between a ridge and the top of the closest course. A course is not inserted if it falls within this value |
🔧 Tolerance settings
Field | Description |
Tolerance for Extra Course | If the depth of the course at the ridge line is greater than this number, a course is added to the number of courses up the rafter. Enter as a decimal between 0 and 1. This process is applied to all roof planes |
Tolerance for Extra Tile/Course | If the width of the tile at the end of a course line is greater than this number, a tile is added to that course. Enter as a decimal (usually between 0 and 1). Calculated as remaining width / full tile width. For example, 0.5 on a 300mm tile means if more than 150mm remains, an extra tile is added |
Add tile per Hip Intersection | Adds an extra tile when a course line intersects with a hip. Can be less than one (e.g., 0.5 adds a tile every other course at hips) |
Subtract tile per valley intersection | Subtracts a tile when a course line intersects with a valley. Can be less than one (e.g., 0.5 subtracts a tile every other course at valleys) |
Extra Tiles to Add per Course | Provides the ability to further refine the quantity to account for variables such as breakages. Can be less than a whole number (e.g., 1.5 adds 1.5 tiles at the end of every course)  |
💡 Special considerations
Large panels: For very wide tile panels (such as steel tile), you may use tolerance values greater than 1. For example, 1.15 will account for reuse of off-cut pieces.
Custom values: You can enter any values in these fields to achieve your desired results. These should be verified against field results and experience.
🛠 How coursing works
When you click OK, the system:
Inserts coursing lines onto the roof planes
Lays the eave course from the longest eave
Calculates optimum course separation within the tile's maximum and minimum values
Determines the eave course start position based on gutter overhang
Reports the number of tiles (excluding waste calculations) in the dialog
If you had selected counter battens, the lines depicting them would also be inserted.
🔧 Dialog controls
Button | Action |
OK | Applies coursing lines and closes the dialog |
Delete | Removes existing coursing lines from the roof |
⚠️ Important notes
The default tiling estimation method shows whether you're using Area or Coursing in the Select Tile dialog. Coursing counts actual pieces laid course by course, while Area calculates based on pieces per square metre.
Waste calculations are applied later during the cost reporting operation of Supply Only or Supply and Install. Refer to Set-Up > Pay Rates > Tile waste factors for waste configuration.