In a hurry? Basic instruction is found at Fast Start.
Setting up a Calculation
Roofing Manager's basic layout is a tabbed draw surface, with each tab focused on a specific feature:
The idea is that you construct your project by drawing it as seen from above
based on measurements you have taken.
Roofing Manager is based on the concept of Layers, which are much like the
medical illustration books where you overlay
successive clear plastic sheets to see the various body systems clearly. Each
layer lets you work on objects specific to
the tab while letting you view object outlines made in previous
layers for reference points. In Roofing Manager Layers go
higher from left to right as per the tab layout.
By using Layers you draw basic roofshapes as simple polygons, then you
overlay on top of these. The following
illustration demonstrates the use of the VOID layer. This is the layer where
you want material to NOT go. In other words
this allows you to make an exception to the roofline on Layer 1, telling it that
there are parts you won't lay material in.
Note that in this illustration you can clearly see the outlines of the underlying
roof system as well as the roofline for the
hip attachment. The void area is colored in, making it easier to manipulate as a
separate item.
There are a couple of advantages here. First, you can draw the basic roofline shape
as a simpler object. Second, using
voids keeps everything simpler conceptually. A triangular notch (as shown) for a hip
Tee and a dormer "hole" or a 6x6
skylight are all treated the same way -- exceptions to the main roof area that don't
get paneled.
As you go to sucessive tabs you will be able to see more and more. Layer 1 refers
to the basic elevation of the project;
Layer 2 is used for rooflines that are above and overlaying the base
elevation, e.g. dormers.
By using Layers it becomes easier to visualize the entire project, and you can
more easily calculate dormers and other
complex cutouts.
Estimating
Once you have (set up) drawn a roof, estimating is pretty simple. You click the "Run" button on the toolstrip:
...which then creates the entire set of drawings and does the calculating. From
there you can view drawings
or go right to pricing. Click the Sum ("Pricing", button #4) button and you will
see the system spreadsheet
which allows you to estimate a price based on any number of strategies.
The following topics will help you get a handle on the basics of drawing, layer
manipulation, and how the
estimating engine works.
Using the Locator in TURBO Mode