What's New
New in 3.1 (5/14/2002)
Metric capability has been added.
Slopes can be entered as rise over run or as degrees.
The 'Rotate TrueType Fonts' setting on the Option Screen has been added to correct printing problems on some HP printers.
Several minor dxf and printing bugs have been corrected.
New in 3.0 (8/3/2001)
User Interface changes
New Microsoft Office style flat toolbar.
The heel and seat lock buttons use open and closed padlock icons instead of checkmarks to show locked and unlocked states.
Locking the heel or seat now takes effect immediately without having to click off and back on the field.
The Options menu item has been moved to the Settings menu.
Plumb Cut and Square Cut are now separate items on the Settings and popup menus rather than a single on/off entry for Plumb Cut.
Roof Slopes
Slopes can now be entered as percentages by entering the desired slope with the percent sign into either side of the slope input field. The percentage will automatically be converted to the equivalent X/12 slope when you leave the slope field.
Gambrel Roofs
Easy Rafters now includes a very flexible gambrel roof option. Calculate regular gambrels where the roof fits within a circumscribed circle (equal radii), or custom gambrels where every dimension is user entered.
Kneewall Calculations
Gables, Sheds, and Dual Slope Roofs now include optional birdsmouth calculations for kneewalls.
Hip Layout Options
Jack rafters can now be laid out flush from the wall corner as well as the current options of o.c. from the center of the hip and o.c. from the wall corners.
Jack lengths can be calculated with or without the overhang (useful for leaving the jacks long and cutting the tails after installation.
Main roof jack rafters can be laid out o.c. from the center of the last common rafter instead of using the same layout option as the hip end jacks.