Getting Started
#### 1. Crop Accurately
- ✅ Include the entire roof with ~10-20% buffer
- ✅ Exclude unnecessary surrounding buildings
- ✅ Make sure all roof edges are visible
- ❌ Don't crop too tight - you can't measure what you can't see
- ❌ Don't include too much area - makes measurements harder
#### 2. Start With Perimeter
- Draw all outer edges first using Distance tool
- This creates the framework for area detection
- Makes auto-detection work better
- Provides reference lines for snapping
#### 3. Use Snapping Extensively
- Let the system help you create straight lines
- Green crosshair = perfect alignment
- Blue crosshair = perfect 90° angle
- Only use Shift (purple) when truly needed
### Measurement Techniques
#### Creating Clean Polygons
1. **Plan your vertices**: Think about where corners should be before clicking
2. **Use snapping**: Snap to existing points to ensure continuity
3. **Check for gaps**: Zoom in to verify vertices connect properly
4. **Close carefully**: Double-click on start point to close precisely
#### Handling Complex Roofs
- **Multiple sections**: Create separate area polygons for each facet
- **Different pitches**: Measure each pitch section separately
- **Hip roofs**: Draw individual triangular/trapezoidal sections
- **Valleys**: Mark valley lines first, then create adjoining areas
#### Symmetrical Structures
- Use axis alignment (green crosshair) extensively
- Measure one side, use it as reference for the other
- Double-check with 90° detection for corners
- Parallel edges should snap-align
### Pitch Assignment Strategy
#### Recommended Workflow
1. **Identify all unique pitches** by visual inspection
2. **Group similar sections** mentally
3. **Start with the main roof** (usually largest area)
4. **Work outward** to smaller sections
5. **Use auto-detection** where boundaries are clear
#### Common Pitch Patterns
- **Gable roofs**: Typically 2 sections, same pitch
- **Hip roofs**: 4 sections, same pitch
- **Combination roofs**: Multiple pitches, measure separately
- **Flat sections**: Often porches, garages (0/12 or 1/12)
### Edge Classification Strategy
#### Systematic Approach
1. **Eaves first**: All lower perimeter edges (usually the most)
2. **Ridges next**: Top horizontal edges
3. **Hips**: External angles
4. **Valleys**: Internal angles
5. **Rakes**: Gable ends
6. **Special edges**: Flashings, transitions last
#### Quick Classification
- Zoom out for overall view
- Click edge type once
- Click multiple edges rapidly
- Switch to next type
- Zoom in for hard-to-click edges
### Using Undo/Redo Effectively
#### What Can Be Undone
- ✅ Adding markers, distances, areas
- ✅ Removing measurements
- ✅ Editing measurements
- ✅ Pitch assignments
- ✅ Edge classifications
- ✅ Clearing current drawing
#### Undo Strategy
- Don't be afraid to experiment
- If a polygon looks wrong, undo and redraw
- If you lose your place, undo back to a known good state
- Redo is available if you undo too far
### Review & Quality Check
#### Before Generating Report
- [ ] All roof sections have areas drawn
- [ ] All areas have pitch assigned
- [ ] All edges are classified (or marked unspecified)
- [ ] No gaps between adjacent sections
- [ ] Total area matches expectations
- [ ] 3D view looks correct
#### 3D View Inspection
- Rotate around the model
- Check for missing sections
- Verify pitches look correct relative to each other
- Ensure edge colors are correct
- Click into each section for detailed review