What are the Different Edge Types? (OpenSolar 1.0)

This article is in the Studio section of the App. 

When creating a 3D Model in Studio, there are various Edge Types to define edges. Defining these edges is important because it helps the software accurately calculate azimuth, slope, and other your system's kWh production. You need to define at least one edge type to accurately model in 3D.

Gutter 

Gutters of a roof, shown as green lines in the image below, are the outside edges of the roof that are parallel with the ground. They are generally the lowest part of the roof. Panels placed on the roof face will automatically face towards these lines. 

Ridge 

Ridges of a roof, shown as yellow lines in the image below, are generally parallel with the ground and connect multiple sloped surfaces, meeting in a convex manner. They are typically the highest part of the roof. Panels placed on the roof face will automatically face away from these lines. 

Valley

Valleys, shown as blue lines in the image below, are generally sloped lines (not parallel with the ground)  formed when two sloped surfaces meet in a concave manner. 

Hip

Hips, shown as blue lines in the image below, are edges that are not flat (not parallel to the ground) and formed when two sloped surfaces meet in a convex manner. 

Rake

Rakes, shown as blue lines in the images below, are edges on the perimeter of the roof that are not flat (not parallel with the ground). They usually come in pairs, joining together where a ridge extends to the perimeter.  

The images below depict how this roof would look with all of the edges defined with the proper edge types.