Menu path
Cover > Select Shake
What it Does
This command lets you select shake materials for your job and configure shake roof parameters. Shakes are wood roofing shingles with an irregular surface, commonly made from cedar or other wood materials.
When you first select Select Shake, the Select the Shake dialog box displays. Once you select the required shake, the current parameters for that shake are shown.
This dialog reports the coverage and other geometric values for the selected shake. To define and change shake definitions, use Set-Up > Shakes.
🧾 Basic Shake Selection
Field | Description |
Supplier | Supplier's name as it appears on reports and material orders |
Profile | Name of the shake profile (if required) |
Name | Product name if different from Profile |
Material | Additional means of identifying the shake |
Colour | Select colour from supplier's list. Trim shakes set to "From field shake" adopt this colour |
Product Code | Code that identifies the shake. Use your supplier's code for meaningful material orders. Must be unique |
🔧 Configuration Options
Field | Description |
Starter course | Select shingles or shakes for the starter course. Applied to all eaves and rake edges when using shakes |
Starter coverage | Line types where starter product applies - typically eaves and rake, but might be eaves only |
Pay rate schedule | Select from defined pay rate schedules. Define schedules in Set-Up > Tile-Pay |
Underlay | Underlay applied to entire roof. For partial application, use Cover > Underlay. Define underlay in Set-Up > Insulation with name "Sarking" or "Underlay" |
Shingle Waste File | File defining waste factors for this job. Multiple waste files can be defined for different products |
Fall protection | Select fall protection to use. Define as user-defined flashing with Finish set to "Fall Protection" in Set-Up > Flashing |
Fastener | Fasteners for the shake. Define fasteners in Set-Up > Fasteners |
⚠️ Important: Sarking or Underlay can only be selected when roof planes have materials applied (metal or tiles). Partial sarking digitising requires these planes to exist with materials applied.
🛠 Estimation Methods
At the bottom of the dialog, a message shows which estimation method is used (area or coursing). If you generate coursing lines, the estimation method becomes 'coursing'.
Method | Description |
Area | Calculates quantity based on pieces per square metre (or square) |
Coursing | Simulates laying tiles course by course for precise count |
🔧 Dialog Controls
Button | Action |
Coursing | Opens coursing dialog to estimate by simulating course-by-course laying |
Cancel | Cancels shake selection |
Change | Changes current shake selection |
OK | Accepts shake selection - becomes cover material for all shake roof planes |
🛠 Coursing Estimation
When you select Coursing, the shingle coursing dialog displays with your selected shake and coverage data.
🧾 Coursing Parameters
Field | Description |
Required Gauge | Gauge to use when "Use the required gauge" is selected |
Gauge calculation | Toggle between using entered gauge or process-calculated gauge |
Coverage width | Effective width of the shake |
Gutter overhang | Amount for first course to overhang into gutter. Also offsets second course location |
Max ridge gap | Maximum gap between ridge and top of closest course. Course not inserted if within this value |
🛠 Advanced Coursing Controls
Field | Description |
Tolerance for Extra Course | Stretching value (0-1 decimal). If course depth at ridge exceeds this, adds course to rafter. Applied to all roof planes |
Tolerance for Extra Shingle/Course | If shake width at course line end (X) exceeds this value, adds shingle to course. Calculated as X/Y (Y = full shake width). Usually 0-1, but >1 for very wide shingles |
Add shingle per Hip Intersection | Adds extra shake when course intersects hip. Can be <1 (e.g., 0.5 adds shake every other course) |
Subtract shingle per valley intersection | Subtracts shake when course intersects valley. Can be partial (e.g., 0.5 subtracts every other course) |
Extra Shingles to Add per Course | Refines quantity for variables like transit damage. Can be partial (e.g., 1.5 adds 1.5 shakes per course) |
💡 Tip: Example for tolerance - if you specify 0.5 on a shake with 300mm exposure width, an extra shake is added when more than 150mm of course line remains.
🔧 Coursing Dialog Controls
Button | Action |
OK | Inserts coursing lines onto roof planes with shake representation, then closes dialog |
Delete | Deletes coursing lines from roof |
🛠 How Coursing Works
For each roof plane, eave course is laid from longest eave
Optimum course separation is calculated between maximum and minimum shake values
Eave course start position is determined by gutter overhang setting
After courses are drawn, shake quantities (excluding waste) are reported
Waste is determined when preparing the quote
The following diagram shows coursing lines generated on a roof with quantities on each roof plane:
⚠️ Note: Verify all field values against field results and experience to obtain desired results.