Menu path
Setup > Tiles+ (Pulldown Menu Only)
What it does
The Tiles+ system allows you to define comprehensive tile profiles with their accessories in a more detailed manner than the standard Tiles database. It creates a hierarchical structure for tiles, fittings, and accessories with automatic quantity calculations based on 3D roof simulation.
⚠️ Important note: Since accessories can now be added to the regular Tiles product database, the Tiles+ database has become largely redundant.
Consider your exact requirements before investing significant time in developing the Tiles+ database. The key difference is the hierarchy of parts - in the standard Tiles database, fittings and accessories are all "accessories" for estimation purposes.
How it works
The Tiles+ system uses a simulation method where materials are applied directly to the 3D CAD model of the roof. Coursing lines are drawn on the roof geometry, and component calculations are extracted from the simulated laying of tiles, accessories, and components.
🧾 Data structure hierarchy
Tiles+ follows a strict order for defining material items:
Field Tiles (including fasteners)
Fittings for Field Tiles (ridge and hip caps, special tiles etc)
Accessories to Fittings (under cloak, hip irons etc)
Fasteners for Accessories (screws, nails and clips)
This structure creates a comprehensive "shopping list" that automatically picks up most required items. When viewed in a spreadsheet program, you can see the field tile and fittings with a maximum of 120 accessory items. All 120 lines must be displayed in the spreadsheet whether they contain information or not.
The field tiles and accessories are stored in TilesPlus.csv, while associated accessories are stored in Accessories.csv.
🔧 Dialog box sections
The Tiles+ dialog box is split into 3 discrete areas:
1. Basic descriptive information (top section)
Enter the supplier, profile description, tile name, and material for the tile pieces.
2. Field tile parameters (central area)
This section defines the main tile characteristics:
Field | Description |
Code | The product code of the field tile |
Lap style | Specify if this tile is single or double lap style |
Nominal length | The nominal length of the field tile |
Nominal width | The nominal width of the field tile |
Maximum headlap | Maximum headlap for field tiles (used for batten/coursing spacing simulation) |
Minimum headlap | Minimum headlap for field tiles (set appropriately for double overlap) |
Linear cover | The exposure of the field tile along the course |
Coverage | Number of pieces per square metre or square (100 sq ft) for area method estimation |
Recommended batten | Default batten for this profile (click '...' to select from material database) |
Battens required | Length of battens (metres or feet) per square metre or square for area method |
Fastener | Fastener for field tile (click '...' to select from material database) |
Number | Number of fasteners for each field tile |
Order units | How to order tiles: per piece, per square metre/foot, bundle, or pallet |
Cost | Cost per field tile, square metre/foot, bundle, or pallet |
3. Fittings and accessories (lower area)
This section defines fittings associated with the field tile and additional accessories required for each fitting. You can enter description, product code, estimation method, cost per piece, and length/number for each accessory. Up to 120 accessories can be linked to each tile record.
🛠 Estimation methods for fittings
Method | Code* | Description |
Per Linear Metre/Foot of Ridge | 1 | Quantities based on ridge length |
Per Linear Metre/Foot of Hip | 2 | Quantities based on hip length |
Per Linear Metre/Foot of Valley | 3 | Quantities based on valley length |
Per Linear Metre/Foot of Verge | 4 | Quantities based on verge length |
Per Course | 5 | Quantities based on number of courses |
Per Code Item | 18 | Fixed quantity per instance |
*The estimation method code relates to the code displayed when the file is viewed in a spreadsheet program.
The Length/No field holds either the length of a piece (e.g., ridge, hip) or the number of items required per instance (e.g., per course, miscellaneous). Valley, hip, and verge pieces can be estimated by cover length or by coursing. You can have more than one of each type.
💡 Tip: Fittings estimated as "per code item" may actually be fasteners. When fittings are quantified, the code is searched in the fasteners database, and if found, cost and ordering information is used from that record.
🔧 Defining accessories for fittings
For each fitting, you can define accessories or extra material items required for installation. Click the accessories field next to the fitting to open the accessories definition dialog.
Field | Description |
Fitting Name | Name of the fitting |
Product Code | Product code of the fitting |
Mat Cost Per Item | Material cost of the fitting, if applicable |
Lab Cost Per Item | Labour cost of the accessory, if applicable |
Number | How many accessories required per fitting item |
Fastener Type | Type of fastener required for the accessory |
Number Of Fasteners | Number of fasteners required for the accessory |
Include As Standard | If Yes, accessory is included automatically; if No, must be manually selected |
The "..." button allows selection of fittings or accessories respectively and auto-fills values from existing items. You can then modify as needed and click [OK] to save.
💡 Note: You can set a maximum of 20 accessories per fitting.
When you click [OK], accessories are saved to that fitting, but remember to click [OK] to exit the Tiles+ dialog to ensure all changes are saved.
🔧 Managing fitting and accessory pricing
To make maintenance easier, use the Fitting and Accessories Pricing buttons at the bottom of the tile dialog. This lists all currently defined accessories and allows you to update material or labour costs without tracking through each fitting or accessory individually.
This functionality was included due to the complexity of tiling systems and permits much simpler management of fitting and accessory pricing.
Select the fitting or accessory item to modify
Set material and/or labour cost
Select [OK] to save
🧾 Labour considerations
For both fittings and accessories, you must decide whether to include a labour accessory. If included, this accessory will appear in the final reporting under the labour section, including any other reporting attributed to the fitting/accessory group through Reporting > Set Up Reporting Rate > Tilers' pay rates – variable options.
You can use labour pricing based on:
Fittings/accessories alone
Reporting > Set Up Reporting Rate > Tilers' pay rates – variable fields alone
A combination of both
🧾 Data storage
The data you create is saved in a text file called TilesPlus.csv in the User folder. Material data files are best edited from within AppliCad software via the appropriate dialog box, but as they are comma-separated text files (CSV), they can also be edited in spreadsheet programs such as Microsoft Excel.