Menu path
Cover > Zones
🧾 What Zones do
The Zones function allows you to define areas of a roof where materials are quantified differently according to their respective locations. This is typically used for calculating materials for retrofit roofing where wind loading must be accounted for.
In areas prone to high wind and storms, the roof area is typically divided into 'Zones' where extra fasteners and battens/purlins are required to increase the wind load rating.
🔧 Zone insertion order
Zones must be inserted in this specific order:
Corner Zones
Field Zones
Edge Zones
Important: Lines must have an assignment of type. A 'None' line type will not create a zone offset.
🛠 Setting up Zones for retrofit roofing
Step 1: Model the roof and insert zones
Model your roof geometry
Select Cover > Zones
Set up zone offsets or spacing from specified line types in the dialog box
Step 2: Insert Corner Zones
Select Insert Corner Zone(s)
Follow the numbering order shown in the dialog box
Step 3: Insert Field Zones
Select Insert Field Zone(s)
Choose to insert on Selected Planes or All Planes
Field zones are inserted automatically based on Zone Option settings
Step 4: Insert Edge Zones
Select Insert Edge Zones and All Planes
Edge zones are inserted automatically
🛠 Typical retrofit workflow example
Insert existing purlins
Use Cover > Flashings > Purlin 1
Select and use Insert-Modify to insert them
These become the primary structure for aligning new retrofit materials
Set up materials and line types
Go to Set-Up > Preference Settings > Systems Preferences
Set User line types such as Sub-Rafter, Sub-Purlin, Roof-Hugger®
Check Set-Up > Preference Settings > Line Styles for colour and style preferences
Configure flashings and accessories
Go to Set-Up > Flashings
Set up roof huggers, sub-rafters and sub-purlins based on User lines
Use estimation options under Accessories to determine fastener numbers
Select correct Estimation Method for accurate take-off
🔧 Zone Infrastructure controls
Use the Zone Infrastructure button to insert retrofit structural items for each zone:
Control | Description |
Line Type | The type of line to be inserted |
Line at Start | Installs a line at the starting edge of the zone |
Line at End | Installs a line at the end of the zone |
Number of Lines | Number of lines to install across zone area, spaced evenly between start and end lines |
Line Spacing | Uses fixed spacing to insert lines |
Insert Between Lines | Prompts to select Start Line and End Line |
Insert in Direction | Indicates direction for line insertion at specified spacing |
Copy Lines | Copy all lines from one zone to another (e.g., corner to corner) |
Change Line Types | Change line types from one to another (e.g., Sub-Rafters to Sub-Purlins) |
🛠 Installing structural elements workflow
Example: Installing Sub-Rafters in Corner Zone
Select Sub-Rafters as Line Type in Zone Infrastructure dialog
Set number of lines
Select Insert Between Lines
Select left-hand edge of Corner Zone, then right-hand edge
Sub-Rafters are inserted
Copy lines to other zones
Select Copy Lines button
Select lines to copy
Follow prompts for start and end points
Snap required points with middle mouse button
Insert new structural purlin lines
Set Line Type (e.g., Roof-Hugger purlin)
Set spacing based on existing purlins
Select Insert between Lines
Select lower and upper existing purlins
💡 Tips
Use Tools > Show Line Types in ISO view to check line types
Any plane can be changed to a Zone plane under Tools > Change > Plane Material
If new lines don't align perfectly, they can be deleted, reinserted, or manually moved
Setup details only need to be done once and can be reused on all jobs
⚠️ Important notes
Zones impact material usage, particularly additional fasteners based on zone definition
Respective materials must be defined under Set Up > Flashings/Panels
Lines must have type assignment - 'None' line type will not create zone offset
🛠 Completing the job
After installing all structural elements:
Go to Cover > Flashings
Select required materials for new lines
Select Generate
Insert roof panels and trim for ridge and eaves to complete the estimate