Help & Troubleshooting

Computing from many photos takes time. In 2D mode a single-family home takes about 15 to 30 minutes, a 3D model (3D Classic or 3D Alternative) about 40 to 50 minutes. More images mean more compute time. A warehouse with 80 or more images takes about 20 to 40 minutes in 2D mode. You don't have to wait. Roofy emails you as soon as processing is done. If our servers are under heavy load, it may take a bit longer.

Holes and artefacts appear where the drone never saw a surface from a suitable angle, or where the images overlap too little; such areas cannot be reconstructed reliably. The fix is in how you capture: first fly the normal roof flight (nadir straight down plus an oblique orbit for the edges). For a 3D model with facades, additionally capture an orbit with a horizontal camera (approx. 0°, facing the facade head-on), and on tall buildings add a second altitude ring, keeping 70–80 % overlap. This gives the model far fewer holes. Reflective or glazed surfaces reconstruct poorly; more viewing angles help here. Areas that are not visible from any flight position (hidden by overhangs, taller structures or trees) cannot be reconstructed even then. See the 3D capture guide: facades for details on the flight method.

Roofy automatically classifies every closed surface from the elevation data and the fitted plane (slope). With noisy elevations or a borderline slope this can be wrong. Correct it by right-clicking the surface: if a roof is shown as a wall (wall symbol), choose «Reclassify as roof» in 3D mode (and «Reclassify as wall» the other way around); this roof↔wall switch is only possible in 3D mode. If a flat roof is treated as pitched, choose «Mark as flat roof» (undo with «Remove flat-roof mark»). The manual classification is preserved.

Roofy is designed for drones with GPS-capable EXIF data. Primarily any DJI with POI (Point of Interest) or Cruise Control. For example DJI Mini 4 Pro, Mini 3 Pro, Mavic 3 or Air 3. What matters is not the model but correct GPS-EXIF data in the images. Details and flight methodology in the drone images guide.

Rule of thumb by building type: single-family home 30-50 images, multi-family home 50-80 images, warehouse 80+ images. More important than the absolute number is overlap (70-80 %) between images and a consistent flight altitude. For a 3D model with facades, facade orbit images are added on top; roof and facades count together: single-family home around 60-100, multi-family home around 100-170, large buildings up to a maximum of 300 images in total.

Yes. In our tests, scaffolding had no noticeable effect on the result. If individual areas in the orthophoto look unclear, the elevation map (key H) helps as a reference: it shows the true roof contour regardless of the scaffolding. When in doubt and if possible: fly again once the scaffolding is gone.

This is rare. Please write to us via the feedback button in the top menu and include your project number. We'll check from our side.

Through the members menu in the organisation settings you can invite more people. Roofy has a read-only role. Clients can view polygons and reports but cannot change anything.

For drones under 250 g (e.g. DJI Mini 4 Pro at 249 g) no registration is needed in the Open category. From 250 g you have to register online with BAZL (Federal Office of Civil Aviation). From 900 g or for flights in Open category A2 (close to people) you additionally need the EU drone certificate A1/A3 or A2. Details at bazl.admin.ch / Drones.

Yes. BAZL requires liability insurance with at least 1 million CHF coverage. Many Swiss home or personal liability policies cover drones automatically. Check with your insurer. Dedicated drone insurance starts from around CHF 50 per year. For commercial use, business liability with drone coverage is recommended.

No-fly zones around airports, hospitals, prisons and nature reserves are visible in the BAZL Map app or the DJI Fly app (geo-fencing). Observe minimum distances to people and buildings. The maximum flight altitude in Switzerland is 120 m above ground in the Open category. Other rules apply outside Switzerland. Inform yourself about the local guidelines of the respective country before the flight.

Through the feedback button at the top right of the menu bar. We usually reply within one business day.