These panel setup commands allow you to configure the lay of the panels on the roof and the panel offsets according to settings defined in the Allowances.
🧾 Panel Layout Commands Overview
Command | Purpose |
Ins-Lap-Dir | Manually draw arrow to define lap direction |
Ins-Lap-Dir-Auto | Automatically insert lap direction arrows |
Swap-Lap-Dir | Change single lap direction arrow |
Swap-Lap-Dir-Win | Change multiple lap directions using window selection |
Del-Lap-Dir | Delete lap direction arrow |
🔧 Lap Direction Commands
Ins-Lap-Dir
This command lets you draw an arrow on the model which defines the lap direction for the Gen-Panels-One command and the Gen-Panels-All command. If not selected, the software automatically determines the lap direction with the priority being laying away from a gable end on the roof.
The lap direction defines the overlap side of the sheet, and consequently will alter how the panel sequence is generated in the Linear-Nesting command.
The diagram shows the insertion of a single lap direction with the arrow direction defined as left or right.
The diagram shows the effect of the lap direction with respect to the underlap.
💡 Tip: For a good result using linear nesting, it is necessary that consecutive roof planes have opposite lap directions.
Ins-Lap-Dir-Auto
This command automatically draws lap direction arrows on the model which defines the lap direction for the Gen-Panels-One command and the Gen-Panels-All command. In effect, the lap direction defines the underlap side of each panel.
The automatic insertion optimises lap direction. At each hip end, there is one lap direction going away and one going into the hip. Around each hip end, the directions are not the same in subsequent sides, but directions may be the same for adjacent roof planes.
Swap-Lap-Dir
This command lets you swap the direction of a lap arrow if you want to change the direction to account for the visual appeal of the roof or perhaps to account for prevailing weather.
💡 Rule of thumb: You get a better nesting result with linear nesting if the lap direction on consecutive roof planes is opposite.
Swap-Lap-Dir-Win
This command does the same as the previous command, but lets you select the lap direction arrows using a window or by selecting more than one at a time.
Del-Lap-Dir
This command lets you delete a lap direction arrow.
🔧 Offset Commands
Offset Roof
This command automatically creates an offset roof given the clearance values and the batten thickness you set in the Estimate Allowances dialog box. This defines the geometry of the panels as distinct from the geometry of the roof, which are not usually the same.
When roof panels/sheets are next generated using Gen-Panels, they are generated to this geometry, not the roof geometry.
Change-Offset
This command allows you to manually change the offset on each line at a time. By selecting on the roof plane to change the offset on, you are prompted with a dialog box.
Simply enter in the new offset and click [OK]. The new offset will then be applied to that line. This helps to make minor adjustments to the offset plane which effectively adjusts the sheet lengths following verification of field measurements of the roof to be covered.
Del-Offset
This command deletes the offset roof planes created by Offset-Roof.
🔧 Section and Sequence Commands
Set-Section
The Set Section function allows you to name a group of planes that will be tallied and drawn together, thus simplifying ordering, delivery and installation, especially on very large projects.
When you set the sequence, it is clear which area is associated with what and the sequence can be set.
Set-Sequence
This command lets you sequence the numbering of the roof planes for the Tally-Panels and Linear-Nesting commands. You do not have to define the sequence as Roof Wizard will do it for you. Here you have the opportunity to change the sequence.
When you select Set-Sequence, the sequence numbers of each roof plane are displayed. The initial numbering of the roof planes is based on the order of the roof planes in the Roof Wizard database.
🛠 How to change the sequence:
Click the roof plane you want to be number 1 (e.g., plane 11 becomes 1, and what was 1 becomes 11)
Click the roof plane you want to be number 2 (e.g., plane 10 becomes 2, and what was 2 becomes 10)
Continue around the roof in the order you wish the roof planes to be covered
Click the abort button to finish assigning the sequence
The sequence numbers disappear. To see the sequence again, click Set-Sequence
The Tally-Panels command and the Linear-nesting command use this sequence to number the panels on each of the roof planes.
🧾 Section Report
The sequence is also used in producing the drawing called the Section Report. This shows each area of roof panels as a separate drawing. (Refer to report templates and key text strings for ###RoofSectionDrawing and ###SectionReport).
This is an extremely helpful report for your customers, especially the installers, as it helps them understand how you want the job completed, right down to how each of the long panels are to be cut to create the short panels.
An example Section Report template has been provided for your use. You can download this, save it to your user folder, edit the UserReportNames.csv file to add it to your available list and try it for yourself.