Dept of Sneaky Tricks

[sherpa_jones]

Here is a nice trick for creating those pesky valley boards:

Draw a roof plane of the same pitch and direction as the roof plane the valley board will rest on.

Open the DBX and specify the following:

General Tab:
Rafter depth = 0 (will default to 1/16)

Options Tab:
Boxed eaves off
Roof surface thickness - define the thicknes of your valley board here
Sheathing/Soffits/Ceiling/Gutter - off

Framing Tab:
Fasica and sub fascia - off

Line Style Tab:
Layer - Roof Framing

Materials Tab:
Roof Surface - set to your framing material

Next, align the roof plane edges to be parallel with the valley. DO NOT USE THE ROTATE HANDLE: THIS WILL ROTATE YOUR BASELINE AND YOUR VALLEY BOARD CANNOT BE COLINEAR. The best way do do this is to drag an edge over and snap the corners to the vallyey. Then use the parallel tool on the other edge.

Define the width of your board with auto dimensions between the parallel edges of your roof plane. Move the plane underneath the roof that intersects to create the vallye. I find that 2" offset from the valley is best.

Next, use the 'move to be colinear' tool to raise/lower the plane to match the plane it sits on. This will place the roof surface of your valley board flush on top of the rafters. Draw your jack rafters and you are set.