Video: https://youtu.be/zG3Xzhpfz_A
Instructions from Video:
The automated roof tools in Envisioneer create an entire roof, comprising of many surfaces, all at one time. The Surfaces tool creates individual surfaces. In this tooltip, we will discuss how to use the Surfaces tool for building roof surfaces. We will give three different scenarios to use the tool.
The Surfaces tool can be used for single roof surfaces. For example, I have imported a pdf of a 2D roof plan. I only need to estimate shingles for the one surface that was damaged in a storm. I can use the Surfaces tool to model just one side.
Select Insert>Surfaces> Surfaces and in the catalog panel to the right find the surface you need for the model. Move the cursor onto the drawing screen area. Left-click to start to trace the surface, it is important to remember that the Surfaces tool will be building a slope. To build that slope it needs the lower points of the roof put in first, our facia line, and then the points of the roof that slope of from it so it. Pick one side of the fascia end and then the other. From there pick the other points that make up the roof surface. Once all the points of this surface have been defined, right-click, and select Finish.
The Define Surfaces dialog box appears. Here we give it the height of the fascia as the Lower Point and then click the lock button. This will lock this value from changing when the slope value is typed in for the roof. Click the lock beside the Slope Value and the “Upper Point” changes accordingly. Click OK.
The single roof surface is formed. If we look at it in a 3D view, we can see it’s geometry. Putting it back into a 2D view, the entire roof could be made using this method by individually making separate roof surfaces by selecting the shared points.
Another good option for using the Surfaces tool for a roof is when you have a single shed roof surface. In the sample model, a shed roof over the front porch area will be inserted. Left-click at one of the lower fascia edges and then the other. Then select the remaining corners. When finished, right-click and select Finish.
The Define Surfaces dialog box appears. Set the height of the fascia as the “Lower Point” and then click the lock button. This will lock this value from changing when the slope value for the roof is inserted. Click the lock beside the Slope Value the Upper Point changes accordingly. Click OK. The shed roof over the porch area is formed.
The last example of how to use the Surfaces tool comes from a roof originally created using the Roof by Perimeter tool. Once a roof is inserted by the automated tool, it can be converted to surfaces and further manipulated. For example, in our model, we have a gable roof over one section. The design calls for that to be a prow. The automated tools won’t allow for the edges to be uneven we therefore need to convert it to individual surfaces to manipulate it.
Select the roof, right-click and select Convert Roof to Surfaces.
The Catalog Access dialog box appears, giving you access to the catalog options. Select a surface and click OK.
If you left-click on the overhang of the roof you will see that they are now individual surfaces and can be manipulated separately. The hollow grips on each corner can be stretched to a new point by holding down the left mouse button and dragging them to a new point. Each surface has hollow grips at each corner and each grip can be dragged to a new point if you hold down your left mouse button. This allows for the prow formation.
The surfaces tool for roofs will help you to efficiently design roof surfaces.