Roof Creator Pro

Technical Requirements

Software	3ds Max
Platform	Windows
Licence	All Access, IgNite
Account Required	Yes
Activation	SiNi Desipher Licence Manager
Industry	Architectural Visualisation
Developer	SiNi Software

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Description

Roof Creator Pro analyses selected building footprints and generates roof geometry from the footprint shape. The tool supports both individual and batch workflows and includes UVW mapping, roof conversion tools and downstream spline generation for gutters, ridges, hips and valleys.

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Licence Requirements

This tool requires an active SiNi user account and a valid licence.

Supported Licences

• All Access Subscription
• IgNite Subscription

The script will not function unless you are logged into the SiNi Desipher Licence Manager within 3ds Max.

If a valid licence cannot be found, functionality will be disabled until a licence is activated.

Activating Your Licence

1. Create a SiNi account at SiNiSoftware.com.
2. Download the latest SiNi installer.
3. Install SiNi into your version of 3ds Max.
4. This installs the SiNi Desipher Licence Manager.
5. Launch 3ds Max.
6. Open the Desipher Licence Manager.
7. Sign in using your SiNi account credentials.
8. Once your licence has been validated, the script will become available for use.

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Installation

ZIP Package Contents

• MacroScript Version
• Documentation

Installing the MAXScript Version

1. Extract the ZIP file.
2. Drag the MAXScript file into a 3ds Max viewport.
3. The script will launch immediately.

Installing the MacroScript Version

1. Extract the ZIP file.
2. There are two options to install MacroScript .MZP files.
   – Drag and Drop the MacroScript .MZP file into a 3ds Max viewport.
   – Run the Script from the Command Panel; Utilities/MAXScript/Run Script.
3. Open Customise → Customise User Interface.
4. Select the Sinilab_Scripts category.
5. Drag the tool onto a toolbar, quad menu or menu.

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Rollout Reference

Mode

Controls whether Roof Creator Pro processes a single footprint or multiple footprints.

Single Roof
Processes the currently selected footprint.

Batch Roofs
Processes multiple selected footprints using the same settings.

Create

Generates roof geometry and controls roof generation settings.

Roof Type
Selects the roof generation method:

• Hip
• Gable
• Hip + Gable

Angle Mode
Controls how roof angles are assigned:

• Fixed — Uses a single roof angle.
• Random — Uses a random roof angle range.

Roof Angle
Sets the roof pitch angle.

Random Min
Sets the minimum random roof angle.

Random Max
Sets the maximum random roof angle.

Snap to Increment
Rounds roof angles to the specified increment.

Typical use
Create roof pitches using standard architectural angle increments.

Create Roof
Generates roof geometry from the selected footprint.

UVW Tools

Controls UVW mapping for generated roof geometry.

Auto UVW Map
Applies UVW mapping after roof creation.

Typical use
Generate roofs that are immediately ready for material assignment.

Map Scale
Sets the UVW mapping scale.

Apply UVW to Selected
Applies UVW mapping to selected roof objects.

Refine

Provides tools for selecting previously generated Roof Creator Pro roofs.

Select Roof
Selects a single Roof Creator Pro roof.

Select Roofs
Selects multiple Roof Creator Pro roofs.

Typical use
Modify multiple generated roofs without manually selecting each object.

Redistribute

Controls random redistribution of roof conversion results.

Seed
Sets the random seed used during redistribution.

Rebuild
Recalculates the roof distribution using the current seed value.

Typical use
Generate alternative roof layouts while keeping the same overall settings.

Conversion Rule

Controls how roof sections are converted between hip and gable roof forms.

Small Hips to Gables
Converts smaller hip roof sections into gables.

Typical use
Create dormer-style roof forms while preserving the primary roof shape.

Large Hips to Gables
Converts larger hip roof sections into gables.

Typical use
Increase the number of prominent gable ends on larger buildings.

All Hips to Gables
Converts all hip roof sections into gables.

Typical use
Transform a predominantly hipped roof into a gable-based design.

Small Gables to Hips
Converts smaller gable roof sections into hips.

Typical use
Reduce dormer-style features and simplify the roof form.

Large Gables to Hips
Converts larger gable roof sections into hips.

Typical use
Create a more traditional hipped roof appearance.

Random Convert
Randomly converts eligible roof sections between hip and gable forms.

Typical use
Explore alternative roof designs and quickly generate variations.

Convert
Applies the selected conversion rule.

Manual Convert

Provides direct control over individual roof conversions.

Convert to Gable
Converts selected roof sections into gables.

Typical use
Override conversion results and customise specific roof areas.

Convert to Hip
Converts selected roof sections into hips.

Typical use
Restore hipped roof sections after conversion.

Additional

Creates supporting spline geometry for downstream workflows.

Create Gutter Splines
Generates gutter splines around the roof perimeter.

Typical use
Create gutters, fascia systems and roof-edge detailing.

Create Ridge / Hip / Valley
Generates construction splines along roof ridges, hips and valleys.

Typical use
Create ridge systems, roof detailing, tile layouts and downstream modelling guides.

Attach All R/H/V
Attaches all generated Ridge, Hip and Valley splines into a single spline object.

Typical use
Simplify selection and downstream spline editing.

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Typical Workflows

Create a Roof

1. Create or select a closed building footprint spline.
2. Choose a Roof Type: Hip, Gable or Hip + Gable.
3. Specify the required roof angle settings.
4. Click Create Roof.
5. Review the generated roof geometry.

Batch Generate Multiple Roofs

1. Select multiple building footprint splines.
2. Enable Batch Roofs mode.
3. Configure the roof generation settings.
4. Click Create Roof.
5. Review the generated roof geometry across all selected footprints.

Create Roof Variations

1. Generate the initial roof geometry.
2. Open the Redistribute section.
3. Change the Seed value.
4. Click Rebuild.
5. Review the updated roof distribution.
6. Repeat until the desired roof arrangement is achieved.

Create Dormer-Style Roof Forms

1. Generate the roof geometry.
2. Select Small Hips to Gables.
3. Click Convert.
4. Review the converted roof sections.

This workflow is commonly used to introduce dormer-style features while preserving the overall roof shape.

Convert Roof Styles

1. Generate the roof geometry.
2. Select the required Conversion Rule.
3. Click Convert.
4. Review the updated roof design.

Common examples:

• All Hips to Gables
• Large Hips to Gables
• Small Gables to Hips
• Large Gables to Hips
• Random Convert

Manually Convert Roof Sections

1. Generate the roof geometry.
2. Select the roof section to modify.
3. Click Convert to Gable or Convert to Hip.
4. Review the updated roof form.

Create Gutter Splines

1. Generate the roof geometry.
2. Click Create Gutter Splines.
3. Review the generated gutter splines.

Generated splines can be used for gutters, fascia systems and roof-edge detailing.

Create Ridge, Hip and Valley Splines

1. Generate the roof geometry.
2. Click Create Ridge / Hip / Valley.
3. Review the generated spline network.
4. Enable Attach All R/H/V if a single spline object is required.

Generated splines can be used for ridge tiles, roof detailing, trim systems and modelling guides.

Apply UVW Mapping

1. Generate the roof geometry.
2. Specify the required Map Scale.
3. Click Apply UVW to Selected.
4. Review the UVW mapping.

This workflow prepares the roof for material assignment and rendering.

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Troubleshooting

Why is no roof generated?

Ensure the selected footprint is a closed spline.

Why does Roof Creator Pro ignore my selection?

Ensure the selected object is a valid footprint spline.

Valid footprint splines should:

• Be Editable Splines.
• Be closed.
• Define a building perimeter.
• Not contain self-intersections.

Parametric shapes should be converted to Editable Splines before processing.

Why is the roof shape unexpected?

Roof Creator Pro works best with clean building footprints.

Check that the spline:

• Is closed.
• Does not contain overlapping segments.
• Does not contain duplicate vertices.
• Accurately represents the intended building outline.

Why are random roof angles not changing?

Verify that Angle Mode is set to Random and that the Random Min and Random Max values are different.

Why are my roof variations not changing?

Change the Seed value and click Rebuild to generate a different roof distribution.

Why are gutter splines not generated?

Generate the roof geometry before creating gutter splines.

Why are Ridge, Hip and Valley splines missing?

Generate the roof geometry before creating construction splines.

Why are UVW coordinates not applied?

Select the generated roof geometry and run Apply UVW to Selected.

Why does the roof look different after conversion?

Conversion Rules change the distribution of hip and gable roof sections. Different rules produce different architectural styles.

Why is processing slow?

Large or highly complex footprints may require additional processing time.

MAXScript does not perform at the same speed as compiled SiNi plugins. Processing time will vary depending on scene complexity, spline complexity and the number of roofs being generated.

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Video Tutorial

[INSERT YOUTUBE VIDEO]

Watch the complete Roof Creator Pro tutorial for a guided walkthrough of the workflow and features.