How to Edit a Roof Design for Solar Job Type on SubcontractorHub?

Why is it important?

The AI-assisted design gives you a ready-to-use layout in seconds. Editing lets you take that layout and tailor it to your project, your customer, and your preferences.

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: Once the AI design loads, you can turn on the “Edit” toggle on the left top corner. This will let you edit the auto generated design further, according to your preference.

Step 2: Turning the toggle on will take you to a full screen view of the AI-assisted image.

Step 3: Conventionally, the mode chosen for creating the design will be “Default”. However, you can also choose from the modes in dropdown to regenerate or edit your image. Available modes include: Default, Default (blank), and NREL (Manual Design).

Default: This is the main mode, and it works whenever NREL weather data and LiDAR data are available. It uses AI to detect the design automatically. Energy production is calculated with our own 3D shading simulation based on NREL weather data. The design image comes from Google HD, and you can switch to Nearmap if you prefer.

Default (Blank): It uses the same NREL NSRDB (TMY) data but allows users to draw designs manually.

NREL Manual: Energy production data comes from the NREL PVWatts API. Design images come from Google Maps, and you can switch to Nearmap if you prefer. You need to create the design manually.

Warning: Switching modes will reset your design and erase your progress on the map. The app will display the following message: “This will reset all your progress on the map.”

Step 4: You can also choose from available imagery once you turn the “Edit” toggle off.

Imagery A: Google Map HD

Imagery B: Nearmap

Imagery C: Google Maps

Step 5: In the top right corner, you will find the following options

Irradiance: It shows the irradiance (amount of sunlight) across the generated image. The colors show which areas receive the least and the most sunlight. You can use the controls on the right to view a specific month or the whole year.

Settings: Set setbacks for gutters, valleys, eaves, rakes, hips, ridges, and obstructions. You can then apply your changes, which resets the current layout.

Keyboard Shortcuts: The keyboard shortcuts provide you with the shortcuts that can be used for making edits to the design.

The dialogue box shows the collection of shortcuts for the user’s convenience.

Upload and Download Debug information: Used by clients to let the backend team know of any issues.

Show map only: This shows only the satellite imagery. You can also use a shortcut to access this option, which is "H".

Exit full screen: You can exit the full screen view using this option.

3D view: If you switch off the Edit mode and switch on the 3D button, you will be able to see the 3D version of the design as well.

Step 6: Under Facets, choose “Draw Facet” to manually add a new facet to the design.

Step 7: Click and move to create lines. Click to snap the line and draw a new one from there.

Step 8: You can choose the facet to be flat or ground mount by switching on the respective toggles.

Step 9: The guide option will show you auto generated lines that you can follow to complete your facet drawing. The snap option gives you suggestions about where to end the line and start a new one.

Step 10: Click “Done”.

Step 11: If you choose Flat, then you will be asked the pitch, row spacing, and starting height. Click “Done” at the top right to finalize your choice.

Step 12: However, in case of flat and ground mount , you will be asked the starting height. Additionally, you can also adjust the pitch. Click “Done” at the top right to finalize your choice.

Step 13: You can also edit the facets by choosing Edit Facets.

Step 14: Once you select the edit facets functionality, you will see all the facets being highlighted. You can delete points or merge facets by choosing one of them.

Step 15: Select Delete Facets.

Step 16: Click the “Delete Facets” button and select the facets to be deleted. You can also undo and redo your step using the respective icons. Click “Done” to finalize your choices.

Step 17: You can also edit obstructions by clicking the “Edit Obstructions” icon.

Step 18: Click and drag to add an obstruction. You have the option of adding an obstruction in circular, rectangular, or polygon shape. You can also toggle on the delete option to delete any existing obstruction. Click “Done” to conclude the process.

Step 19: You can also edit edges of the facets by clicking the “Edit Edges” icon.

Step 20: You can choose to edit Eaves, Valleys, Hips, Ridges, Rakes, Wall Flashing, Step Washing, Parapet Wall, and Transition by choosing them from the right side menu. Additionally, you can add or remove gutter lines. Click “Done” once finished.

Step 21: Once you select a set of panels, you can also recalculate the layout by clicking the “Recalculate Layout” icon.

Step 22: Once you click the icon, you will be asked to confirm your action. Click “Yes”.

Step 23: Additionally, you can also change orientation of the facets by clicking the “Change Orientation” icon.

Step 24: When asked to confirm your action, click “Yes”.

Step 25: Click the “Edit Trees” icon.

Step 26: You can add or remove the trees here by clicking the respective buttons.

Step 27: To add a tree, place your cursor at your preferred location and draw a circle. This circle will represent the tree. You can choose between sphere or cone shape from the settings on the right hand side. You can also set the height of the tree, crown diameter, trunk diameter, and crown height. You will also be able to see the shape and size of the tree change as you go on setting these criteria.

Step 28: Once you have set the criteria, click “Done”. You can also select “Delete” to remove this particular tree and start from scratch.

Step 29: Click the “3D button” to see how the tree will look.

Step 30: Removing a tree requires you to manually select the area covered by the tree. Our AI tool provides you three options to do it. You can choose among free draw, a circle, or a polygon. For this workflow, we chose free draw and chose an area from where we would like to remove the tree.

Step 31: You can also select the area and choose the height of the flattened area. The flatten area height will have a default value of ground level.

Step 32: Click “Done” to save the changes.

Step 33: The “Edit Trees” option is available in Default and Default (Blank).

Step 34: Once you are done with the changes, turn off Edit mode and click “Save”.

Situation: A sales rep is preparing a proposal for a homeowner. The AI generates a solid design in seconds. The rep knows the site well and wants to personalize it: mark the chimney as an obstruction, add the large oak on the south side, and include the garage roof for extra capacity.

What the rep does:

Result: The production estimate reflects the real site, the layout is install-ready, and the homeowner gets a more detailed, credible proposal.