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Set-Up > Metal Panels
What it does
Define the metal panels or sheets you use on roofs, including polycarbonate or fibreglass sheeting for roof-lights. The Product Code is the key item that links products with accessories, pricing and labour.
🧾 Metal Panel Definition
When you select Set-Up > Metal Panels, the Define Panels dialog displays these fields:
Field | Description |
Supplier | Lists all suppliers in the sheeting database. You can select one or enter a new supplier name directly. |
Profile | Lists all profiles in the sheeting database. You can select one or enter a new profile directly. |
Finish | Lists all finishes in the sheeting database. You can select one or enter a new finish directly. |
Fastener code | Lists all fasteners in the fastener database. You can select one or enter a new fastener directly. |
Product code | Enter a product code for ordering purposes. Required for each product as it keeps everything together. Avoid special characters (@#$%&*!) and spaces. Use underscores instead |
Coil Info | Define details of the coil required for a job to facilitate ordering and pricing.  |
🔧 Panel Specifications
Setting | Description |
Fasteners | Number of fasteners per square metre/foot OR per metre/foot of purlin supporting this metal panel. For the latter, you must select and insert purlins from Cover > Flashing dialog. |
Coverage width | The exposure or coverage width of the sheet. This determines how many sheets will cover the roof. |
Thickness | Base metal thickness of the sheet (information only). |
Cost | Cost of the material. The Reporting unit button toggles between per unit area (square metres/feet) and length (metres/feet). |
Min order length | Minimum length you can order. Set to zero for smallest possible lengths. Usually set to sheet width. |
Max order length | Maximum length you can order. Set to zero for any length (appropriate for onsite roll-forming). |
Allowances to Use | Elect the required allowance file to use, saving time on redefinition. Complete allowance set only used by Generate Panel Layout option. |
Pay Rate Schedule | Pre-specify a labour rate for the metal panel. Automatically selected when panel is chosen under Cover > Select Metal. |
Is this a composite panel? | When checked, composite panels will report cut back length and lay direction when split. Standard panels won't report these values. |
🔧 Dialog Controls
Button | Function |
Select | Lists all sheets in database to view, edit, or delete. |
Delete | Deletes the current definition. |
Add | Adds current definition to database (requires unique product code and description). |
🧾 Panel Accessories Setup
Set up all accessory items required for roof panel installation. For each accessory, enter:
Field | Description |
Accessory name | Name you know this accessory by (e.g., panel clip, joining plate). |
Product code | Code you know this accessory by. |
Finish | Finish for the accessory. Default is host flashing finish. If defined as "Colour", "Color" or "Painted", adopts same colour as host flashing. |
Items per box | Number of items in a box you order. |
Cost per box | Cost of a box of these items. |
Number | Number or spacing applied to the selected estimation method. |
Estimation method | Method by which this accessory will be estimated (see methods below). |
Number of fasteners | Number of fasteners used to fix accessory to frame. |
[M]/[L] | Sets accessory as material or labour item. |
🛠 Panel Accessory Estimation Methods
Method | Description |
Not estimated | Reported in material list with zero quantity. |
Per Unit Area | Adds accessories based on number per square of panel material. |
Spacing along Panel (nett) | Estimated as function of panel's nett length. Number relates to spacing along panel (mm or linear feet). Use for panel clips or brackets. Set to zero (0) to adopt Roof-Defaults Rafter-Spacing value. |
Per Join | Estimated as function of joins between connected panels. Use for joining sealants. |
Per Panel | Estimated as function of number of pieces ordered for this flashing. |
Per Intersection with Batten/Purlin | Estimated as function of times panel crosses batten or purlin line. |
Per m in Zone | Sets additional clips and screws based on wind zones defined on roof (set under Cover > Zones). |
Stock-Lengths | Set up table of stock lengths and costs. Typically used for long run pressed metal tile profile. |
🛠 Defining Panel Stock Lengths
When stock lengths are defined, you must also set up an appropriate allowance file for that panel.
Example setup:
Define stock length table for panel (e.g., lengths from 8' to 20' in 2' increments)
Create allowance table specifically for this profile so each panel rounds up to 2' or 24"
Specify the allowance file to use for this panel only:
💡 Tip: Overlap/underlap allowances set with Estimate > Gen-Panels > Modify-Panels > Split-panels will be applied to each panel when panel length is calculated.
More details found under Cover > Estimate Panels description.
💡 File Management
Material data files like Metal Panels are best edited from within AppliCad software via the appropriate dialog box. However, as they're in comma separated text file format (CSV), they can also be edited in spreadsheet programs like Microsoft Excel or simple text editors.
🧾 Quote Groups and PDF Linking
For improved pricing and job management with external accounting system linkages, you can:
Modify the default "category" for each material item using Quote Groups
Link PDF files (typically product descriptions) for documentation sets
A file called PDFS.CSV contains the product code and linked PDF file name. If a Drawing Report of type PDFReport is defined under Drawings, it allows a compiled list of all PDFs to be sent to the printer.
🛠 Metal Panels and Assembly Groups (Commercial Mode)
When Commercial Mode is enabled in System Preferences, metal panel definition includes Assembly Group association. This provides ability to define various trim details for different installation situations (e.g., plywood deck vs open frame structure).
⚠️ Important: Assembly Groups must be defined separately before associating with panels.