Menu path
Set-Up > Materials > Metal-Colours
This feature lets you define the list of colour names for metal panels. These colours are also used for flashing materials, downpipes and fasteners.
🔧 How to access and use
Navigate to Set-Up > Metal-Colours
The Metal Colours dialog opens showing your current colour definitions
Add, edit or remove colours as needed
Define Product Code Suffixes for each colour to assist with material ordering
Click OK to save changes
🧾 Color setup fields
Field | Description |
Colour Name | The display name for the colour (e.g., "Deep Ocean") |
Product Code Suffix | Code added to product codes for ordering (e.g., "DO" for Deep Ocean) |
🛠 How Product Code Suffixes work
The Product Code Suffix is a code that helps order the correct materials from your supplier. When you define a suffix, it's automatically added to the product code during material costing calculations.
This suffix then appears in all subsequent project documents including estimates, cut lists, and purchase orders.
Example: If you have a ridge cap with product code "RTR" and select the "Deep Ocean" colour with suffix "DO", the material listings will show:
Supplier's Name, RTRDO, Roll Top Ridge, Deep Ocean
(Supplier, Product code with colour suffix, Description, Colour)
💾 Data storage
When you click OK, the colour details are saved in the data file called colours.dat in your User folder (typically ..\User folder in your installation directory).
💡 Editing tips
Material data files like this are best edited from within AppliCad software via the appropriate dialog box. However, since they're stored in a text file format, they may also be edited in Notepad or a spreadsheet program.
⚠️ Important notes
If editing the colours.dat file directly in a spreadsheet:
Always create a backup copy first
Maintain the format
Ensure no extra spaces or special characters are introduced
Always have END at the bottom