Frequently Asked Questions

Below are a few questions frequently asked of our cusomer service centre about the use (and abuse) of our software. You are invited to visit here from time to time so that new ideas might be readily exchanged. If you have a question that you feel might benefit other users, please click "ask question".

 

Software Operation

• The software tells me the line I've selected is not a fascia line, when I' m sure I clicked on a fascia line. Why isn't it recognising it?
  

  This can occur when there is a wall line over the fascia line. Click 'no' when it asks if you want to use the first line, and ' yes' on the second line. The second line is usually the eave line you're trying to select.

• I've finished selecting what I want to select, but the computer isn't doing anything, what is wrong?
  

  The computer is waiting for you to select more entities. Click the right button to tell it you have finished selecting. The software will then tell you have many entities you have selected, and prompt you to confirm the command.

• You need to change the units the software uses?
  

  Goto the Utilities | Preferences command, and modify the dialog to suit your needs. You may change slope, units and terminology.

• Can Company details be changed if we need to? (because it says in the manual they are permanently saved after we enter them and I do not see any update or modification button to allow it. If your Company tomorrow changes its name to a different one, how can I change it in the software?)
  

  Yes - Company details can be changed by you as many times as you like. Within the "Job Details" menu, there is a button called "Company" and in here you enter the details of your company. These will be stored as a default until you change them.

• The text in my table is coming out too large or too small, how do I change this?
  

  Select Utilities | Set-Text-Height, and change the figures shown to a larger or smaller number to change the size of the text.

• Can we force or predefine an input mask for job numbers allocation which should be validated at input level?
  

  No - At this stage, the job number allocation is a manual input. This can be done at any stage in the process however. i.e. you may use a quote number initially when you are quoting, and then, when you get the job, you can enter a job number to used for this job. On the reports that are generated however, you can display whatever text strings you wish.

• Can we have cost per square meter or linear meter instead of sq.feet?
  

  As mentioned, the software operates in feet or millimetres, so you can use either. If you set the "Preferences" to read in Metric, then the units and costs will be per sq metre or linear metre.

• Can we use Euros and the € symbol?
  

  Yes. Within the "Preferences" section, you can set the currency symbol to be whatever you like. Obviously this needs to be used as we sell to numerous countries all over the world. You may also set the number of decimal places for the currency.

• Can we use several rates of VAT, a different one for each product, or a single rate for the overall costing?
  

  The VAT will be applied as a single rate for the overall costing. The VAT percentage can be set by the operator in the "Preferences" section.

• Does Maestro allow the insertion of downpipes, fixtures, extra items, etc. for the job calculation?
  

  Yes.

• Can we insert images from picture files (jpg, bmp, etc.) in templates of letters, etc. (like a company logo) and use texts in such templates in foreign languages?
  

  Yes, you can insert one image per template (jpg, bmp, gif, tif, etc) - Q-Roof | Image On is the command to use to place a bitmap image on the template. The templates can be tailored to suit your own language, but the text string that is causes the template to generate must appear in english.

• Can we change without restrictions the location of any key text string in the templates? Or there are predefined mandatory locations for them in the templates?
  

  Yes - You can change the location of text strings without restriction. Obviously, the text must be within the extents of the plotted report template or they will not be printed.

Mouse

• What can I do if my middle mouse button doesn' t work?
  

  Applicad software makes comprhensive use of the middle button. It's function is context sensitive, that is, it's operation depends on what you're clicking on for what it does. It is therefore, very useful to have your three button mouse work with all three buttons.
  AppliCad supplies drivers on the software CD for the latest 3 button Logitech mouse. The other possibility is to use the Shift key (on the keyboard), and the left mouse button together to achieve the same result.

 

• Can I get more help on any of the commands?
  

  Certainly, click on them with the middle mouse button (the three butons must be working correctly) and a dialog will appear on screen explaining the function in more detail. (This function works with V3.1 only). You can also use to middle button on the icons or pulldown menu. This will tell you what menu on the right hand side it relates to.

Software Licencing

• Would users be able to share the same database files simultaneously among them (say, more than 2/3 simultaneous users)?
  

  Yes - You would install the software on the local PC and you can set the data file directory to locate the entire product database files on the LAN server. Each user requires a licence (and a hardlock key - per licence) for the software to operate. The hardlock key needs to be conected to the local PC. There is no need for the installation CD to remain in the drive once installed so you can install the sofware on any number of local machines.

• Is the software multi-user with each user accessing it through his own password?
  

  Each Licence is a single user licence with the operation protected by software unlock code or a hardlock (or dongle) that is connected to the Parrallel Port on your PC or a USB key as explained above. Using a hardlock version (usually a USB key) instead of a softlock allows for the software to be installed on as many computers as you wish within your organisation. The software will only run where the key is plugged in. This provides ulyimate flexibility. Each of the computers may be set up by your system administrator to connect to a server folderthat is shared on a network. This allows each operator to view and share job files and data files. More importantly, this will allow all files to be backup up by the system backup utility.

Dodge Plans

• Can I read Dodge plans into an AppliCad program and use them as the basis of my quote?
  

  If we want to read in a dodge plan *.pln, just rename it to *.bmp and it will read in using the Q-ROOF | IMAGE-ON command. Now you can simply digitise around the drawing by 'snapping' to the drawing points using Gen-Roof | Dig Outline.

Hardlock or 'Dongle'

• I' m getting an error message saying Hardlock EYE not found. What is the problem?
  

  For those customers who ordered the hardlock version of the software (as distinct from the software lock version normally shipped) the software needs the Hardlock device (also known as a dongle) to work. Two versions of the hardlock have been shipped, a parallel printer port version and a USB port version. The parallel printer port version has not been shipped for several years. The USB port version is an oprional upgrade. Most contemporary customers are installing the softlock version that requires no additional hardware at all.
  
  If you have an older parallel port version, insert it into the printer port (the printer can connect to the back of the dongle) or the USB port as appropriate for the version of hardlock you ordered. This will fix the problem. The lock is designed to protect your investment in our software, as well as AppliCad's investment in the development of the software.

 

• By installing your dongle in a computer print port will we be able to install additional dongles in the same port without conflicting one with each other when running software applications?
  

  Yes, the dongles can be "piggy-backed" with other dongles and shouldn't cause a conflict. If there ever was a conflict, a USB dongle could be provided instead.

Software Help

• How do I get updates to my software?
  

  All software is sold with updates included in the purchase price for the first 12 months. After this time you will be invited to renew the Investment Protection program to carry on receiving updates to the software, and other benefits. We must also know about you and where you are so that you actually receive the updates in a timely fashion. All registered users of our software receive 3 to 4 updates each year and these are shipped as a matter o course. If you are not sure whether we are getting to you, please send you details to us now!

• I have a problem, how do I get help?
  

  Use the contact options on the Cusotomer Service Home page. We are here to help and encourage you to keep in touch. We also like good news too, so please let us know how well you're going.

• What is my call sign?
  

  The call sign is the number you have been allocated and it is unique to your license of software. It can be found in the little 'window' on the Hardlock. Please use this to identify yourself when communicating with the Customer Service Centre.

• I need more help on how to use one of the functions in the software, how do I?
  

  Check our Tutorials, or Tips section on the Customer Service Centre. If that doesn't help you, check your manual or contact AppliCad.

• Which roof estimating software is right for me?
  

  The roof estimating software is available in modules to suit the style of business you run -

Sorcerer is the product that does everything for you. So if you are a roofing contractor that gets involved in most types of roofing and roofing materials, this is the product for you.

Roof Wizard has all the modeling functions of Sorcerer, but the material quantification is limited to metal roofing and the trim.

Roof Magician has all the modeling functions of Sorcerer, but the material quantification is limited to shingles, tile and slate roofing and the trim.

Roof Maestro has all the modeling functions of Sorcerer, but the material quantification is limited to BUR, EPDM, single ply, TPO etc. and the trim.

Roof Master has all the modeling functions of Sorcerer, but the no material quantification functions.

 

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If you have a questions that is not addressed here, please drop the Customer Service Team an email - Help!

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