Creating Roof Faces

VectorWorks offers two ways to create a roof for a structure:

The Roof Face command converts any closed 2D object into a roof face object.

The Create Roof command creates a roof by selecting the object(s) that the roof will be based upon (including walls, polygons and polylines). See Creating Roof Objects.

Use the Roof Face command to create hybrid (2D/3D) roof structures from simple 2D objects. This is an easy way to create a slab or flat roof, by converting any closed 2D object into a roof face object.

For example, use this command to create a uniquely shaped roof, such as a gable roof over a round structure. The roof can be created in the same design layer as the wall structure, or in a different layer. Create a viewport to view the walls and roof together.

While this command can create a hip or gable roof, it is easier to create these types of roofs with the Create Roof command.

To create a roof face:

1.	Draw the 2D object that is the basis for the roof.

Any enclosed 2D object can be used, such as enclosed arcs, polylines, rectangles, circles, and ovals.

2.	Select the 2D object.

3.	Select Model > AEC > Roof Face.

The Create Roof Face dialog box opens. Specify the roof slope creation method, edge and hole miter options, and roof parameters.

 

Parameter	Description
Roof Slope	Indicates the roof slope creation method and criteria
Angle	Creates a roof slope based on an angle; specify the Angle
Rise over Run	Creates a roof slope based on rise over run values; specify the Rise and Run. The rise is the distance along the Y axis the roof rises above the Z height, and run is the distance along the X axis for the roof to reach that height.
2nd Click Height	Creates a roof slope based on a mouse click position (this option only available in Top/Plan view). Enter the Height for the second mouse click.
Edge Miter	Indicates the miter type for the roof edge
Vertical	Creates the roof edge perpendicular to the ground plane
Horizontal	Creates the roof edge parallel to the ground plane
Double	Creates the roof edge with a horizontal and vertical miter; specify the Horizontal and Vertical lengths
Square	Creates the lower edge of the roof face perpendicular to the roof surface, regardless of the roof angle
Hole Miter	Specifies cut-out miter options
Vertical	Cut-out edges are perpendicular to the ground plane
Square	Cut-out edges are perpendicular to the roof surface
Axis Z	Sets the roof height
Angle	For angled roof slopes, indicates the roof slope angle
Rise/Run	For rise over run roof slopes, specifies the rise and run values
Height	Indicates the height of the second mouse click when the roof slope is specified with that option
Thickness	Specifies the roof thickness
Vertical/Horizontal	For double miters, specifies the horizontal and vertical miter lengths

4.

Click OK.

5.	Click-drag the mouse across the 2D object to draw a line defining the roof axis; click again to complete the line. A black arrow displays on one side of the line, indicating which side of the object will be the high side of the roof.

6.	Point the mouse to the side of the roof that will be highest, and then click again. The roof axis line displays selection handles, and the arrow pointing to the high side of the roof turns blue, indicating that the roof face is complete.