AppliCad was founded in Melbourne, Australia in 1991 by Ray Smith — a CAD specialist who saw that roofing contractors needed better tools for estimation. What started as a mission to bring 3D precision to an industry doing everything by hand has grown into a family business trusted in 148 countries, now led by Ray's sons Nick and Daniel.
Ray Smith starts as a trainee draftsman at Telstra, one of the only organisations in Australia with access to computer-aided design systems. Working on digitising printed circuit board artwork, he develops the precision that will define his career.
Ray establishes his own specialist design firm, growing to 17 staff and investing heavily in advanced CAD systems. The business is thriving — until the 1987 market crash hits and wipes it all out.
Rebuilding from scratch, Ray applies his CAD expertise to roofing. Contractors need fast, accurate measurement and materials planning — existing tools are inadequate. AppliCad is founded.
AppliCad becomes METALCON's first international exhibitor and personally trains over 1,000 estimators across six continents — South Africa to the Dominican Republic, Kenya to the Philippines.
AppliCad creates the RXF (Roof eXchange Format) — a standardised way to exchange 3D roof geometry between systems. Later adopted widely across the US including in insurance assessment workflows.
Ray's sons Nick and Daniel now lead the business day-to-day — bringing fresh energy while keeping the technical depth and honest customer relationships their father built over 35 years. 148 countries. Metal of Honor five years running. Billions of dollars in material calculated. Still a family business, still building.
Ray has personally trained over 1,000 estimators in classroom settings across six continents, and exhibited at more than 100 trade shows over 35 years — METALCON, IRE, FRSA, Interbuild and countless regional events.
