Creating Roof Objects

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

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

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

The Create Roof command creates a roof object with multiple faces based on specified parameters. A great variety of roof types can be created by this method, and they can include roof elements such as gables and skylights. Once the walls of a structure are complete, select the walls that the roof will be based upon, and specify the roof parameters. Alternatively, select a polygon or polyline as the basis for the roof.

To create a roof object:

1.	Select the walls, polygon, or polyline that the roof will be based upon.

Shift-click to select multiple walls. If the building has an attachment, such as a garage, that will have a different roof structure, then select only the desired walls.

2.	Select Model > AEC > Create Roof.

The Create Roof dialog box opens. Enter the desired criteria to create the roof object. The parameters are illustrated in the roof diagram. Certain default parameters are suggested based on the selected roof parameters.

 

Parameter	Description
Eave Profile	Select the roof edge appearance Square: angled fascia, soffit edges Vertical: vertical fascia, angled soffit edges Horizontal: no fascia, horizontal soffit edges Double: vertical fascia, horizontal soffit edges
Vertical	Specifies the vertical length for a double miter eave
Horizontal	Specifies the horizontal length for a double miter eave
Thickness	Specifies the roof thickness
Bearing Inset	Specifies how far the bearing wall cuts into the roof
Roof Pitch	Specifies the roof pitch as an angle or rise:run ratio; click Calculate for an automatic calculation based on bearing height, eave height, and eave overhang
Bearing Height	Specifies the height of the rafter plate or top plate above the wall layer Z height where the roof will be supported; click Calculate for an automatic calculation based on roof pitch, eave height, and eave overhang
Eave Height	Specifies the height of the lowest portion of the roof; click Calculate for an automatic calculation based on roof pitch, bearing height, and eave overhang
Eave Overhang	Specifies the distance that the roof extends beyond the bearing wall; click Calculate for an automatic calculation based on roof pitch, bearing height, and eave height
Layer	By default, the roof is created in the active design layer. To create the roof in a different layer, select an existing layer from the list, or select New Layer to create a new layer.
Retain Original Objects	Retains the source object(s) that formed the basis of the roof

3.

Click OK.

VectorWorks creates a hip roof over the selected object(s) using the criteria set in the Create Roof dialog box.