When modelling roofing components in many occasions I've tried to trim or subtract common roofing cuts only to be told that one of the components is 'not a solid'. I've been careful in creating the component and calling it 'rafter' or 'hip' etc and making it a component. Why is now 'not a solid'??

Hi Guys, are there anyone on these boards familiar with roofing geometry? Could become a very interesting discussion topic?

@dave r said:

Could you explain "having to redraw faces that were previously grouped?" I don't understand what you mean by that.

When I drew the bevels using the line tool I then deleted the faces to form the bevels. I then had to redraw that face which was a pain.

@dave r said:

Tony, I don't know how my method could be less accurate but you can draw it any way you like.

As to the Flip tool, TIG has given you the basics. If you haven't rotated a component and the component's axes are aligned to the global axes, you can use the global axes for reference when flipping. If you wanted to copy and flip the entire half of the roof to the other side of the ridge, copy it with the Move tool and then, while all those components are selected, right click on them and choose Flip>Along Green Direction.

Sorry DaveR - less accurate was probably not the correct choice of words. I don't like the idea of
having to redraw faces that were previously grouped. I have terrible memories of my first days using
sketchup and trying to bevel things this way! You replies are always welcome!

@tig said:

The Flip tool works on RGB/XYZ axes.
There's also my olde 'Mirror' tool that lets you mirror a selected about any picked 1/2/3 points... and also to keep/erase the original object[s] - much more like CAD...
Search in the Plugins Index to get it...

Tig, thanks for your advice and 'mirror' tool. I'll have a look at the plug-ins because I believe
the 'unfold' tool is also useful.

DaveR,

I think I prefer my way, I tried using your method in the pastbut its less accurate.
I have modelled another roof structure and this time I need to mirror the layboard that
rests at the back of alley, the dormer to form the valley. I want one in the valley, hidden from
view. In autoCad this is achieved with a simple 'mirror' operation.

How does that damn 'flip' tool work?

Many of the routines that I have explored in SU are quite easy to grasp. Modelling the roof model I posted was quite easy. However, one area that was a pain was forming the bevels on the hip rafters.
What I done was draw a thin slab that I made into a group. The slab was then moving into position at the same pitch as my roof and the hip rafters were subtracted from it to remove the bevels. Quite easy but I am sure the experts here can come up with a quicker way of doing it!

Are there any nice wood grain materials I can add to the current library of materials?
The default materials are not very good.

Tonight, I started working on a model using the techniques that this forum have passed on to me.

It is progressing well and solved a lot of problems that I encountered in the past with layers and associated geometry. I'm grateful of the support I received!!

These models are used to coach young Carpenters for National Skills competitions - note the inclined rafters!
Next week two of my apprentices compete in the UK Finals for GOLD!

Update: Here's the finished model!

DaveR, a comprehensive and informative response, thanks for that. Just to clarify - the actual editing process of my components is done in Layer0 also?

Thanks for your input, it is appreciated.

Understood, but if I am modelling a hipped roof. I will need to edit the parts as I assemble the roof. I need plumb cuts at ridge level and seat cuts at wallplate level. Do I assemble the entire roof in Layer 0, make all my rafter cuts and THEN move them to their individual layers?

@gaieus said:

Hi Tony and welcome!

Not from an architect's view but merely from SketchUp: yes, something like that.

1. Model the pieces on Layer 0 (let's not call them "components" at this time yet).

1. When done with a rafter or something, select all its geometry and no, do not make a group but a component (nowcomes the term). Anything that will have more than one instance in the model should be a componentrather than a group.
2. Now "move" your component to any other layer than Layer 0 (note that the raw/primitive/loose - whatever you call it - geometry inside the component is - and should be - still on Layer 0)

Hi Gaieus,

Thanks for your quick response. Now that I have the Layers problem solved heres another question.
Why Do I Make 'Components' instead than 'Groups'? My models can have as many as thirty individual parts.

Thanks
Tony

I'm new to SketchUp but have years of AutoCad experience. I use SketchUp Pro 8 and intend using it to model roof sstructures that I can use at college in the classroom. Am I correct in saying that to use the layers the correct way I should:

1. Model all components of my roof in Layer 0
2. Group my individual rafters etc
3. Move them to individual layers when completed. (Ie. common rafter/hip rafter/etc)

I'd appreciate a response.
Thanks