Learn the Fastest Ways to Create Roof Models
Using ArchiCAD's Best Practices

ArchiCAD Training – Roof Design, Modeling
and Documentation Course Outline

Over 5 hours of easy to follow ArchiCAD video training lessons that will make developing a roof model really straightforward, for any size project.

Watch these lessons in your web browser, or download to your computer for permanent reference.

Lesson 1

Introduction to Roof Construction for ArchiCAD 10 through 14

This 42 minute lesson teaches the methods used for constructing roofs in ArchiCAD 10 through 14. If you are working with ArchiCAD 15, it is still a good idea to watch this video since there are many similarities, and I share some valuable tips in the video as well as on the QuickStart Course lesson page that will be helpful to you.

Lesson 2

Intro to Roof Construction for ArchiCAD 15 and Above

This 29 minute lesson teaches the methods used for constructing roofs in ArchiCAD 15 and later versions.

Lesson 3

Creating the Roofs for the Sample Building

This 33 minute lesson shows how to build the roofs for the sample building developed in the QuickStart Course, first in ArchiCAD 14 (which applies to versions 10 and above) and then in ArchiCAD 15 and above.

Lesson 4

Modeling Roofs with Ornate Rafter Tails

The roof tool creates a simple volume that does not represent the actual construction components. When you apply a composite, the roof becomes a little more detailed, but still retains a uniform thickness.

This 23 minute lesson shows how to use Solid Element Operations to trim off the underside of the roof in the extension that overhangs the outside shell of the building. Subsequently, beams or objects representing framing members are added to show the rafters supporting the roof. These are then carved out with a profiled element using SEO to create ornate rafter tails. Along the way, a few speed tricks and shortcuts are demonstrated that allow these operations to be performed quickly on large roof systems.

Lesson 5

Creating Different Roof Types in ArchiCAD 14 and Earlier

This 49 minute ArchiCAD training lesson demonstrates the quickest and easiest methods to model multiple roof types in ArchiCAD 14 and earlier versions.

Lesson 6

Creating Different Roof Types in ArchiCAD 15 and Later

This 49 minute ArchiCAD training lesson demonstrates the quickest and easiest methods to model multiple roof types in ArchiCAD 15 and later versions.

Lesson 7

Simple Hip and Gable Roof Systems

This 42 minute ArchiCAD training lesson explores basic creation and manipulation of simple hip and gable roof systems, those with a single plate height.

The demonstrations are done in ArchiCAD 14 (representing the methods used in ArchiCAD 10 through 14) and then repeated with variations in ArchiCAD 16 (showing the new options available starting in ArchiCAD 15 for working with multi-plane roofs). Users of ArchiCAD 15 and later will find it useful to watch the entire presentation, since there are times when you may need to split up multi-plane roofs into single plane roofs, or create them from scratch, in order to achieve certain results.

Manipulations include changing overall parameters for a roof system such as slope angle, overhang, material, and line-type style; as well as modifying the slope of individual roof planes, removing a hip roof plane to create a gable, and adding in an extra plane to a gable to create a hip. Various methods of trimming walls to the roofs are demonstrated, including the classic “Trim to Roof” (which leaves a static cut), Solid Element Operations (which retains a relationship between the elements and will update automatically), and the (new in ArchiCAD 15) Connect command to Trim Elements to Roof/Shell, which is similar to Solid Element Operations in that it updates as needed to retain the relationship between the elements.

Some subtle points are shown, including the importance of understanding and perhaps adjusting the Trimming Body setting for a Multi-plane Roof – changing it from Pivot Lines down to Contours down.

Lesson 8

Connecting Roofs in ArchiCAD 14 and earlier

This 24 minute lesson explores the methods that may be used to connect roofs to each other, focusing on adding a gable extension to a simple hip roof system.

The lesson is conducted using ArchiCAD 14, and it applies directly to earlier versions as well. In ArchiCAD 15 and later, roof construction has changed and we will cover this in the next lesson; however there are times even in later versions that the methods shown here may be necessary, due to the limitations in the newer multi-plane roof tool.

A gable extension is created and roof edges are quickly repositioned to the location where they will meet the main roof using the Command-click or CTRL-click method. Quick manipulations create overhangs and trim the walls to the roofs using Solid Element Operations..

When the slope of the gable is changed, the roof edges are repositioned by selecting the main roof and Command or CTRL-clicking on the valley edges of the gable; the cutout for the main roof, as well as the extents of the overhangs, are manually adjusted.

The gable extension is duplicated twice, then modified to have a lower and higher pivot line heights than the main roof. A combination of manipulations is able to clean up the roofs to each other and set the walls properly.

When the gable extension is moved in line with the hip at one end, the hip roof contour polygon are adjusted to include what formerly was an independent gable piece.

More Lessons Are Currently in Development

This course will include at least 8 more video lessons focusing on a variety of topics, including:

These lessons will be added to the course website over the coming weeks as they are completed.

This will be the most extensive course on designing, modeling and documenting roofs in ArchiCAD ever produced anywhere.