Roof with purlins and rafter visible?

[Larz]

Hi all,
is it possible to make a roof with both purlins and rafters visible in a roof with gables?
I can only make the rafters visible.

Please advice the settings. Thanks!

See this photo as a sample:  

(Purlins = beams going longitudinal underneath the roof, placed on the rafters)

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Larz,

Yes it can be done but by default TFP does not have the purlins. If you want them visible, as in the photo you would have to add them individually.

You can use the straight line tool on the Layout toolbar to simply make a 2D line, right click it and choose "Convert to Member" (all sorts of shapes and sizes to choose from) then you can elevate it and right click 'Adjust to Plane' or something like that - can't remember exactly the words at the moment but it will snap it to the slope. Before you do duplicate it the number of times you necessary.

Or ...

In a new blank project, you could duplicate the members (on the ground the right distance apart), turn off the Terrain and export them as a 3DS and import again into your model. This way you would have a set of purlins.  You can adjust the angle to the same as the roof after import and elevate them into place.  As long as they are all the same length (as in the photo) this would probably be quicker. You can extend the length if necessary after import.

If you need more explanation of those options just ask again.

Allan

[Larz]

Thank you Allan, I will try both your suggestions and see what works best.

It would be really nice if the roof construction could be similar to a deck, where you can control the framework.

Thanks again!

[Allan Chesney]

The reason is probably because FTP is mainly for visualistation not construction drawings, so control of the roof framing is limited to choice of rafters and spacing of them. Usually you have a ceiling so what is inside the roof is not seen hence not really required in 3D visualisation. The construction of a deck however usually is seen, hence greater control. The parent product Envisioneer, which is a construction drawing package in addition to visualisation tool, enables you to configure the roof construction more than TFP does, but at a considerably greater price of course!

Allan