Tegrona’s new free app converts a roof photograph into a scaled, rectified image, identifies usable area and exclusion zones, and automatically generates module layouts and counts without CAD or on-site measurements.
Tegrona Lite uses perspective correction based on roof tile geometry to turn ground or drone photos into scaled roof surfaces.
Users mark roof edges and obstacles, then the app computes module placement, counts, area, capacity and clamp quantities and exports a PDF/PNG overlay.
Start with a photo. The application accepts drone images, ground-level photographs and roof plans. The user outlines the roof surface with three or four points and marks exclusion zones for chimneys, dormers, skylights and vents. The program then corrects perspective and produces a scaled representation of the roof.
Perspective correction uses the roof tiles themselves as a geometric reference. Rows and columns of tiles are parallel on the actual roof, so their converging lines in a photo reveal vanishing points. Tegrona Lite identifies those lines to calculate the transformation needed to rectify trapezoidal or triangular surfaces that a simple four-corner correction would misrepresent. After rectification the eave is horizontal and module rows can be aligned consistently.
To convert pixels to real dimensions, the software uses the known coverage of selected roof tile profiles. The app includes profiles such as Frankfurter Pfanne and Hohlfalzziegel and allows users to enter custom tile coverage dimensions. The program counts visible tiles to determine the pixel-to-meter relationship. Alternatively, a single known measurement in the image, for example a roof window dimension, can establish scale.
Automatic module layout and outputs
Once geometry and scale are set, Tegrona Lite distributes modules over the usable roof area using the user-specified module dimensions and orientations (portrait, landscape or mixed). The algorithm can shift rows laterally and rotate modules to fit narrowing areas near ridges. Users specify minimum edge setbacks and create exclusion zones around obstacles. The app updates module count, total installed capacity, occupied area and the number of mid and end clamps as the layout changes.
Final layouts can be exported as a technical sheet in PDF or PNG format with the module arrangement overlaid on the original photo.
Privacy, processing and platform support
All calculations run locally on the user's device. In the web version processing occurs in the browser and photographs are not uploaded to a server. Tegrona notes this avoids transferring geolocation metadata embedded in drone images. The tool does not require registration and can operate without an internet connection for local processing. Desktop builds are available for macOS 14+ and Windows 10+. The web version runs on multiple operating systems and devices and is offered in 11 languages including Spanish.
Installers and project planners who need quick site estimates or a visual layout during initial visits can use Tegrona Lite to speed assessments without CAD or tape measures. The exports give a clear visual reference to include in early proposals or to decide whether to proceed to a detailed survey and design workflow.
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