How do I use Smart-Lines for advanced roof construction?

Construct Roof > Smart-Lines

Smart-Lines is a comprehensive toolkit for modifying or rebuilding your roof geometry. It includes functions to construct a roof one line at a time or rebuild a roof model when the automatically constructed geometry doesn't meet your needs.

Mastering the Smart-Lines toolkit is the mark of AppliCad Roof Wizard user competency – trimming lines, creating, copying, mirroring lines, and inserting new roof planes are all skills that make you a master of the software.
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There are many tools available here and they are spread over two icon menus. The most often used options are immediately below the Track-Outline button.

There are many others in the Next (secondary Smartlines) icon menu.

All the verandah functions are described separately.

Allows free drawing of lines with snap function (middle mouse button) for precise start and end points. You're prompted to set Digitising Options for keeping lines square and constrained to tidy lengths.
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After drawing each line, select a line type. For Gable selection, you're also prompted for pitch.
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You can type U/D/R/L with exact measurements or use C to close the outline square.
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Determines intersection location of two planes and automatically inserts a line at the intersection point. Useful for complex roof shapes constructed plane by plane.

Trims two intersecting lines to a corner. Select lines near the end that needs to move, extending or cutting back as needed.

Trims angled lines (hips/valleys) to XZ or YZ plane of non-intersecting lines. Prompts whether associated entities should stretch with the line.
​Before:

After:

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Trims selected line to a Length or existing Plane entity where the line would intersect.

The plane may be selected by snapping to three points at the boundary corners of the plane; two lines defining the plane or selecting the plane surface.

Mirrors selected entities around two points, existing line, or plane. Set Num Copies = 0 to mirror without copying, or = 1 to create a copy. Use Plane-Definition dialog to control mirror method.

In this example off-set a distance:

And new roof geometry is copied:

Divides lines into equal lengths, at point intersections, line intersections, or set distances along the line.

Changes existing line types. Example: copy a valley line, then change it to a hip.

Moves existing lines. The selected line attaches to cursor - use snap function for accuracy.

Moves a line while keeping connected lines connected and stretched to the new position.

Copies existing lines with cursor attachment. Use snap function for precise placement.

Deletes existing lines or planes.

Select a wall/eave line connected to other lines forming a closed loop. Software traces the loop and prompts for confirmation at multiple intersections. Displays roof style options and Roof Defaults dialog.

Divides edge lines defining roof planes at specified locations. Allows digitising simple approximations and adding new segments to ensure closed co-planar loops.

Generate Planes (Gen Planes)

Automatically generates all roof planes using closed loops.
⚠️ Caution: Also generates a ceiling plane from wall outline - delete this if not needed.

Select centre of boundary lines collection to automatically insert plane.

⚠️ Note: Only works in Top or Plan view - software will prompt if in different view.

Select boundary line of single roof plane. Software tracks through adjoining lines to find connected lines in same plane until closed loop is achieved.

The Track-Eave function works similarly to Construct Roof > Track-Outline but draws eave lines only. While seemingly redundant when Track-Outline does everything automatically, some users prefer constructing roofs one line at a time.

​Check Settings: Default settings for colour, style and weight are used. To change these, go to Set-up > Preference Settings > System Preferences > Set Line Styles.
You can also change construction line colour and style by selecting [Options] in the Track Lines dialog box.

As perimeter lines are digitised, each line presents options to define the line type using function keys:

If no special attribute is selected, the line is inserted as an eave line. Each function key selection displays a dialog prompting for roof pitch. As each function key is selected, a dialog prompting for the roof pitch of that line is displayed – as shown below – and the line is inserted at the required pitch(es).

Click to locate the wall line where you want the hip end. A pitch dialog appears, and clicking [OK] constructs a hip and ridge stub in the correct direction.

Results in this, in 3D:

Works like Hip End but inserts a gable end with rake lines at desired pitch.

Single Hip: Select an eave line near the end where the hip should be constructed. The software finds the connecting eave line and prompts for pitch and length. Click in the approximate location for hip placement.

Works like Single Hip but changes line type to Valley and prompts for pitch.

Similar to Single Hip but creates a ridge line parallel to two eaves.
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(experimental - right hand menu only)

This function automatically generates a 3D graphic of a valley drain or sump, usually for low slope roofing. Elements can be specified before insertion. Valley lines should be trimmed by the operator using the Trim-to-ZLine function.
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Show/Hide Planes

Uses Tools > Show/Hide Planes function to display roof surface planes as inserted without accessing Tools Menu.

Remove Geometry

Delete roof geometry based on type or category. Select what to keep or delete, then click Remove Geometry button.

Multi-Trim Lines

Trims multiple lines back to a reference line.