New features in the [eptar] Mediterran Rooftiling solution







The upgraded Rooftiling solution is based on the original Mediterran solution but it is complemented with one new step: roof-edge definition.
So far the Rooftiling add-ons have decided automatically about the type of roof edges, completely unattended by the user. This automatic has worked well in most cases, but it can also be said that the algorithm made a few mistakes in the case of more complex and large roofs, or roofs that were not completely trimmed to each other. Things like this can happen, but the problem was that these edge-mistakes could not be corrected by the user. Our most spectacular change is therefore the roof-edge editing option, which enables the designer to check and correct the roof-edge type while making the tiling.


Using the new Rooftiling add-on

Starting tiling with the newer version of Rooftiling does not really differ that much from the older version; you select the roofs you want to tile, go to "Mediterran / Place Rooftile" and set the tile Rooftile type, color and layer in the "Rooftiles" dialog.
Former Rooftiling add-ons have automatically placed roof tiles after pushing the OK button, although sometimes they made mistakes in the roof-edge definitions. That is why we inserted a step into the workflow, after the Rooftiles dialog. The add-on places a GDL object on the roof after pushing OK. This new object like the overview of the roof, and it appears only temporarily on the floor plan, it will disappear after tiling. It should not be moved, or deleted as it will hinder the functioning of the add-on. If you want to skip this step, just click on the "Finalize roof tiles" button.

However if you want to check the roof edges thoroughly, take a look at this object. You will see that there is a small icon belonging to every edge. This icon shows you the type of the edge; if the add-on made mistakes at defining the edges, it is time to change it to the correct type.

We will use the purple hotspots to set the new edge type. Grab the hotspot in the middle of the icon and pull it slightly upwards. A new row of icons will appear that contains all the edge types available for the roof edge. Just pull the hotspot onto the icon you want to set. Should you be in trouble understanding the icons, have a look at the descriptions above them.

Make sure though that you use the "Move node" function on the pet palettes.

Here is a little tip for you: the original edge type is always located above the circle icon of the roof edge. Use this trick, if you want to reset the edge type to the original one, but cannot remember which one was the original.
Once all the edges are checked and corrected click on "Finalize Roof tiles".

Edge types could be set not only on the floorplan but in the "Object setting" dialog as well: Mark the "Show edge text" checkbox on the "Appearance" page under "Roof edge Settings" and then return to "Edge Settings" to set the edges based on the corresponding number. After this click OK and finalize roof tiles.



Roofs could be made with two methods: Single-plane or Multi-plane. Multi-plane roofs are available since ArchiCAD 15 and the former roof- tiling add-on could not use them for tiling. The updated Mediterran Rooftiling add-on is able to tile both of these roof types the same way; it does not matter if they are single- or multi-plane. Roofs cut with solids can be tiled too, with the new add-on.

It also has to be known, that chimney and wall flashings can only be identified by the program if the chimney / overlapping wall is cut out from the roof, if the gable walls are connecting to the roofs and they are selected together with the roofs before starting the tiling process. This method used to be the same for former add-ons and it has not changed.
Sky-lights do not have to be cut out from the surface; their place is cut out automatically by the add-on.

The final tiles can appear with both their texture and real model in the 3D view. In the case of Mediterran Rooftiling, the tiles are always placed with their texture by the add-on, but the texture can be set to 3D model later on. Just select all the tiled surfaces you want to change (make sure you select the tile objects not the roofs underneath) and go to the Object Settings window, where you will find the option for setting the 3D tiles.

It is still also possible to place accessories into the tiled surface. You just have to select one tiled surface and go to the "Mediterran / Place Accessories" menu to choose which accessory you want to place on the roof then click on the roof to actually place it. The number of accessories is not limited anymore (the limit used to be 20 accessories/ surface).


Let\'s make a roof worth tiling

In order to help the add-on decide about edge-types and eliminate the time of checking and correcting the edges you have to make sure that your roofs are precisely constructed. The new tiling add-on can handle multi-plane roofs, and these are always well built, but there are ways to make the correct roofs if you are using single-plane roofs. Let us see what you will have to watch out for to make the add-on work properly.

The most important task in the case of single-plane roofs is to trim the connecting roofs to each other to fit perfectly. It is not enough that the roof edges meet in the right angle on the floor plan. As the Edge Angles can be either perpendicular or vertical, the right connection on the floor plan does not necessarily mean that the roof edges meet in the right angle in the 3D model. However ArchiCAD can make sure these edges are perfectly trimmed to each other with a shortcut key combination:
Ctrl + click.

Let us see a scenario to demonstrate how this shortcut works. There are two single-plane roofs that do not lie in the same plane. Select one of them; we will trim the edge of the other one to this selected roof. Now push the Ctrl button and click on the edge of the second roof that you want to trim to the selected roof.

The program will automatically find the meeting line of the two roof planes, and our edge will be cut to make a perfect connection. We will just have to repeat these steps the other way around; select the trimmed roof and Ctrl + click on the edge of the first one.

This method is working in the 3D window and the floor plan window just as well.



Tiling add-ons can only tile rounded roofs if they are segmented. We can get in trouble with segmented roofs for this reason: we do know where the edges and points of two roofs should meet on the floor plan, but we do not know what roof pitch we should use to make them meet in the correct places. In most cases we can decide about the pitch of one of the segments; this will be our reference roof.

We will fit the angle of the connecting segment with the following method. First, the joining edges and points should be defined on the floor plan, by pulling the roof nodes of the roofs into the correct position. After this you should go to the 3D view and grab the upper edge or point of the roof you want to adjust to the reference roof. Pull the point or edge into the correct position with the "Change roof pitch" to meet the reference roof. The program will use the pivot line as the rotating axis of the pitch change, so make sure before you make the change that the pivot lines of the two roofs meet in the same point, too.

This trick can be used very well if we need to make roof of towers or church apses.



These tricks will help you create a roof from single planes that can easily be tiled by the add-on, no matter if you use the old or new version of the Mediterran Rooftiling.

If you find this article useful, make sure to check out the new version of Rooftiling on our cadsupport site.

www.eptar.hu/cadsupport