Menu path
Set-Up > Preference Settings > System Preferences
🧾 What it does
System Preferences sets various operator preference settings such as units, slope input, terminology, and file locations for your installation. You should only have to set these options once.
Important: There are many options here and setting them incorrectly may change the way the software works for you, so be sure you understand what you're changing before you make changes.
🔧 How to access it
When you select System Preferences, the Preferences dialog box is displayed with options organised in left and right columns.
🛠 Left column settings
Field | Description |
Input pitch as | Choose either Degrees (°), Slope (in 12), or percentage (in100) |
Units | Either Metric or Imperial  |
Terminology | Either English or American |
Currency Symbol | Set to any character or group of characters you want |
Currency Field Width | Number of digits visible in currency fields on Reporting dialogs. Default adequate for US/Australian dollars. Increase for Italian lire or Filipino peso |
Number of Outlines to Save | Number of job perimeter outlines saved for recovery under Const-Roof > Recover. Default is 20, can be set higher (e.g. 100 or 150) |
Tiles Database to Use | Either Tiles or Tiles+. Selects tile data file structure for Cover > Select-Tile command. Not interchangeable - read descriptions to understand which to use |
Costing - Merge Same Product Code Items | Y/N - Sets whether items with same product codes merge into one line item in material list under Reporting > Supply Only or Supply and Install |
Import GRIM File on Start-Up | Y/N - Turn Import GRIM file process on/off when opening software |
Allow Editing of Pricing Files | Y/N - Allows administrator to set password on editing material/labour pricing files. Default is Yes (anyone can edit). Set to No to grey out pricing options in Set-Up |
Allow Multi-Language | Y/N - Allows software operation in any language. German and Spanish available, French in development. Files must be in ../AppliCad/ /Language folder |
Number of Segments to Break Arcs into | Sets resolution when dividing arcs into line segments for roof/wall geometry construction |
Hide On-Screen Command Hints | Y/N - Show/hide tooltip hints (on by default) |
Show Word/Excel Processing | Shows each stage of output processing as report generates from Word Template or Excel spreadsheet |
Excel - Columns to Process | Limits range of Excel cells to process when matrix is large |
Excel - Rows to Process | Limits range of Excel rows to process when matrix is large |
Leave Word/Excel Documents Open | Keeps Word/Excel open with generated report displayed for editing/checking before printing |
Show Zero Qty Line Items in Costing | Displays zero quantity items in costing report screen (Reporting > Supply Only or Supply and Install). Useful for modifying quantities or adding occasional items like fuel surcharges |
Automatically Print Word/Excel Reports/Drawings | Y/N - When Yes, report prints to default Windows printer as soon as Word/Excel completes creating report |
Use Commercial Mode | Y/N - Enables Substrates, Systems and Assembly Groups for large scale operators with very large material databases. Leave set to No unless requested by AppliCad Support. Requires all trim, accessories and assembly groups defined BEFORE use |
Add Product Codes to Metal Panel Labour in GRIM Out | Y/N - Allow labour product codes in GRIM output file. Switch provided to maintain GRIM file format compatibility |
Show Newer Job Info Dialog | Y/N - Switch Job Info dialog between version with 'WindZones' and version with 'Notes' |
Use Block-Cutting Dimension Dependencies | Y/N - Adds Block Cutting Dimension Dependencies button to Panel Labelling functionality. Requires Dimension Reference function enabled 
 |
Reverse Name/Desc for Insulation
| Y/N - Swaps Name and Description fields for Insulation/Underlay selection to align product Description with Finish in Supply & Install dialog
|
Replace "Fabrication" with Flashing Category | Y/N - Allows the use of the term “Fabrication” in the Supply & Install menu to be replaced with the category of the flashing being tallied. |
🛠 Right column settings
Field | Description |
Currency Precision (Reports Only) | Sets number of decimal places for currency on reports only |
Tax Name | Name of taxation system (e.g. GST, VAT, Sales tax) displayed on Reporting dialogs and reports |
Tax Percentage | Tax percentage to apply |
Payment Terms for Job Details | Payment terms to appear on reports |
Use File Locking (Networking) | Prevents operators opening jobs already being worked on by colleagues in a shared network environment. Use Delete to delete existing lock Files button to clean up *.LOC files if needed  |
Default Tiling Estimation Method | Area/Coursing - Presets method for quantifying tiles, shingles, shakes, slate. Area uses pieces/bundles per square; Coursing lays pieces course by course and counts |
Allow Plotting to PDF files | Y/N - Print directly to PDF files. Requires third party PDF generator (such as Adobe Acrobat™ or PDF995™) |
Job Wizard on Start-Up | Y/N - Guides operator through job creation/estimation steps. Helpful for new users, usually turned off once process is learned |
Use Stage Manager | Y/N - Enables Stage Manager function for breaking quotations into Stages |
Copy Database Locally before Open | Y/N - Copies database files to local machine before reading. Improves speeds across slow WAN/LAN networks |
Use Interval Labels for Labour | Y/N - Displays labels from Set-Up > Metal/Tile Pay Rates Variable > Intervals in Labour dialog and GRIM file export |
Use Costing Plus | Y/N - Uses Tiles+ tile structure and Costing+ pricing structure for cost/sell price comparisons to determine profit margin |
Output of Material Cutting List | Y/N - Changes cutting list output from Feet & Inches to Inches only (Imperial measurements only)  |
Use Roof Area if no Panels Applied | Y/N - Uses roof area as quantity for material cost when no panels applied (based on cost per square foot/metre) |
Show Print Dialog when Printing | Y/N - Set to No for single printer (direct printing), Yes for multiple printer options |
Reverse User/Corporate Folder Search | Y/N - Search Corporate Folder before User Folder for databases, models, CSV files. Maintains Corporate Standards while allowing user-specific settings |
Treat Gutter/Valley Intersection as a Stop End | Y/N - Modifies Stop End accessory calculations where Eave, Valley and Raking Line meet  |
Update Panel/Tile Definitions during Costing | Prompts to update Supply & Install dialog when major component changes (metal panels, tiles, shingles, shakes) are made |
Use Flashing Identifiers | Y/N - Enables flashing annotation grouping by length only, or by length and line. Individual lines get separate identifiers for easier installation identification 
|
GRIM Out Unique Fabrication Codes in Pricing | Y/N - Outputs Custom Flashing product codes through Supply & Install dialog to reporting. Uses ###GIRTH, ###BENDS and ###CODE sub-strings for automated product code creation  |
Merge Wall Pay Rates with Roof | Y/N - Uses same pay rates for both roof and wall panels |
🛠 File directories
These are the directories where the system looks for your data files (material definitions, report templates, labour rates - .csv, .dat, .bin, .dab files).
Select new folders by clicking the '...' button. Click 'x' to reset to default. For network access, map the network drive using Windows Explorer first.
💡 Directory structure options
Directory | Purpose |
User Folder | Default: C:/AppliCad/Roof Wizard/User. For single operators, keep it simple. Copy files here before opening software if needed |
Data Input Folders |
|
Corporate Folder | Searched before User Folder when enabled. Allows corporate default settings while maintaining user-specific job settings |
Data Config Folder | Location of configuration files for elements like metal panels, tiles, shingles, shakes, accessories, fasteners, insulation, membrane, fall protection, extras etc. |
Report Templates | Default save location for Excel/Word reports. Keeps report checkers away from working folders to prevent unauthorised modifications |
Data Output Folders |
|
GRIM Files Output | Export path for GRIM text file so other programs can automatically pick up the data, where non “Report Files” (.DOC, .XLS) are output. |
Reports Output | Reporting output files (.DOC, .XLS) will all be written to this location, ensuring the User Folder isn’t inundated with report files. This also allows files to be more easily located and backed-up etc. |
Temporary Files | Typically, sub-folder ...\User\Temp for temporary files created during cutting list/pricing processes. Good housekeeping to delete contents occasionally |
💡 Network file sharing setup
The software is single user license but network aware. You may install the software on all your office computers, but with one license, you have one user at a time. You can save work on shared network server drives for sharing printers, materials, settings and job files with other users.
Four locations to check/set file paths:
System Preferences (this dialog)
CAD file locking in CAD > DEFAULTS > System Settings > Setup
Windows shortcut 'start-in' folder settings under the shortcut "Properties"
For example, this is setup for a shared drive called U: and a folder called ...\User in that shared network drive:
Network drive mapping in Windows Explorer - map the shared drive
Note: the Software must still be installed and run from the C drive (Target:), and DO NOT use sub-folders in the ...\User folder.
⚠️ Important notes
CAD File Locking: To further prevent operators opening same model database (*.DAB file) in a shared network environment, enable CAD file locking at CAD > DEFAULTS > System Settings > Setup. Set lock file directory to shared network User folder. CAD lock files use *.LCK extension.
File Path Warnings: If paths are not set correctly, various issues can occur. Consult System Administrator, IT expert, or AppliCad Support if unsure.
Default Location: If not sharing on network, default is C:/AppliCad/Roof Wizard/User. If software remembers different path from navigating elsewhere, it won't find system settings and pricing files, DO NOT use sub-folders in the ...\User folder.