Framing a Roof

A roof object can be automatically framed with rafters, beams, ridges, and other roof elements with the Roof Framer command. This command does not work on roof face objects.

To automatically frame a roof:

1.	Select the roof object.

2.	Select AEC > Framing > Roof Framer.

The Roof Framer dialog box opens.

3.	Select the tab for the type of roof framing element to create, and select the checkbox to create the framing element. More than one type can be selected at the same time; other framing elements can be added later.

An individual framing element can be added with the Framing Member tool, available from the Detailing tool set.

4.	Enter the framing parameters as described in the following sections.

5.	Click OK to frame the roof.

Creating Rafters

To create rafters:

1.	In the Roof Framer dialog box, click the Rafters tab, and select Create Rafters.

2.	Specify the rafter parameters.

 

Parameter	Description
Rafter Size	Specifies the rafter size in Width x Height, in current file units. Sizes can be edited by selecting Edit List (see Custom Frame Element Sizes)
Dormer Rafter Size	If the roof contains dormer windows, enter the size, in Width x Height, of the dormer rafters
Minimum Spacing	Specifies the minimum distance allowed between rafters
Maximum Spacing	Specifies the maximum distance allowed between rafters; for consistent rafter spacing of the entire roof, the Minimum and Maximum Spacing values should be equal
Match Rafters across Ridges/Hips/Valleys	Select to ensure that opposing rafters meet on the roof ridges, hips, and valleys
Class	Specifies the class for the rafters
Classes	Edits classes attributes; see Setting Class Properties
Object Attributes	Specifies the rafter attributes

3.	Click OK to create the rafters.

Creating Beams

To create beams:

1.	In the Roof Framer dialog box, click the Beams tab, and select Create Beams.

2.	Specify the beam parameters.

 

Parameter	Description
Style	Select the beam style Joist (tie beam that rests on the bearing wall) Flush Beam (tie beam that is flush to the rafters, usually attached to the rafters with metal plates) Collar Tie (tie beam that scabs onto the rafters and is attached with nails, bolts, etc.)
Size	Specifies the beam size in Width x Height, in current file units. Sizes can be edited by selecting Edit List (see Custom Frame Element Sizes)
Spacing	Select the beam spacing (Every Rafter, Every Other Rafter, and Every Third Rafter)
Elevation AFF	Specifies the elevation above finished floor of the bottom of the beams
Class	Specifies the class for the beams
Classes	Edits classes attributes; see Setting Class Properties
Object Attributes	Specifies the beam attributes

3.	Click OK to create the beams.

Creating Plates

To create plates:

1.	In the Roof Framer dialog box, click the Plates tab, and select Create Plates.

2.	Specify the plate parameters.

 

Parameter	Description
Size	Specifies the plate size in Width x Height, in current file units. Sizes can be edited by selecting Edit List (see Custom Frame Element Sizes)
Class	Specifies the class for the plates
Classes	Edits classes attributes; see Setting Class Properties
Object Attributes	Specifies the plate attributes

3.	Click OK to create the plates.

Creating Purlins

To create purlins:

1.	In the Roof Framer dialog box, click the Purlins tab, and select Create Purlins.

2.	Specify the purlin parameters.

 

Parameter	Description
Purlin Size	Specifies the purlin size in Width x Height, in current file units. Sizes can be edited by selecting Edit List (see Custom Frame Element Sizes)
Number of Purlins	Indicates the number of purlins to create between the ridge and the foot of the roof
Elevation of 1st Purlin	Specifies the elevation above finished floor of the bottom of the lowest purlin. The rest of the purlins will be evenly spaced between this height and the bottom of the ridge.
Bearing inset	Specifies the depth at which the purlin is notched into the rafters
Class	Specifies the class for the purlins
Classes	Edits classes attributes; see Setting Class Properties
Object Attributes	Specifies the purlin attributes

3.	Click OK to create the purlins.

Creating Ridges

To create ridges:

1.	In the Roof Framer dialog box, click the Ridges tab, and select Create Ridges.

2.	Specify the ridge parameters.

 

Parameter	Description
Ridge Size	Specifies the ridge size in Width x Height, in current file units. Sizes can be edited by selecting Edit List (see Custom Frame Element Sizes)
Ridge Elevation	Specifies the ridge elevation options
Flush to Top of Rafters	Indicates that the top of the ridge should be the same as the top of the rafters
Notched into rafters, depth	Specify the depth that the ridge is notched into the rafters
Flush to Bottom of Rafters	Indicates that the bottom of the ridge should be the same height as the bottom of the plumb cut on the rafters
Specify AFF	Indicates the height of the bottom of the ridge, above the finished floor
Class	Specifies the class for the ridges
Classes	Edits classes attributes; see Setting Class Properties
Object Attributes	Specifies the ridge attributes

3.	Click OK to create the ridges.

Creating Trimmers

To create trimmers:

1.	In the Roof Framer dialog box, click the Trimmers tab, and select Create Trimmers.

2.	Specify the trimmer parameters.

 

Parameter	Description
Trimmer Size	Specifies the trimmer size in Width x Height, in current file units. Sizes can be edited by selecting Edit List (see Custom Frame Element Sizes)
Class	Specifies the class for the trimmers
Classes	Edits classes attributes; see Setting Class Properties
Object Attributes	Specifies the trimmer attributes

3.	Click OK to create the trimmers.

Creating Hip and Valley Rafters

To create hip and valley rafters:

1.	In the Roof Framer dialog box, click the Hips/Valleys tab, and select Create Hips and Valleys.

2.	Specify the hip and valley rafter parameters.

 

Parameter	Description
Hip/Valley Size	Specifies the size of the hip and valley rafters in Width x Height, in current file units. Sizes can be edited by selecting Edit List (see Custom Frame Element Sizes)
Class	Specifies the class for the hips and valley rafters
Classes	Edits classes attributes; see Setting Class Properties
Object Attributes	Specifies the hip and valley rafter attributes

3.	Click OK to create the hip and valley rafters.

Custom Frame Element Sizes

The size of the framing elements can be selected from a pre-set list, or the list can be edited to contain desired or custom sizes.

To edit the size list of the frame elements:

1.	From the Size field in one of the framing element tabs of the Roof Framer dialog box, select Edit List.

The Edit Size List dialog box opens, listing the currently available sizes of the roof element.

 

Parameter	Description
Add	Adds a size to the list; specify the width and height of the new size
Remove	Deletes the currently selected size
Edit	Edits the currently selected size; enter the new width and height parameters
Move Up/Move Down	Changes the order of the sizes by moving the selected size up or down in the list

2.	Click OK to edit the size list.

The text files which populate the size lists in the framing element dialog boxes can also be edited. The text files are located in [VectorWorks]\Plug-ins\VW_Arch\Data.