[Plugin] GKWare Stair Maker

Garry K · 4 May 2014, 14:52

This is the discussion area for the Stair Maker Plugin. First published version is 1.0.12

These are my plans for Stair Maker - in the end I will have 3 versions each priced accordingly.

Stair Modeler - Users design - but do not actually build stairs.
Stair Builder - In addition to Stair Modeler, Stair builder will provide several reports containing information required to build stairs. There will also be a drawing of each stringer flattened.
Stair CNC - In addition to Stair Builder, Stair CNC will provide a number of dxf files that are used in conjunction with 3 and 5 axis CNC machines.

Pricing details.

Licensing is tied to user and computer
If you have a Stair Modeler license you can upgrade to the 1 of the other 2 versions by paying the difference of what you originally paid and what the current price of the version you want.
Licensing is like a book. Once you have it - you have it. No additional fees.
If pricing goes up - you still have your license.

Krisidious · 4 May 2014, 15:37

I'm in like Flynn...

unclex · 5 May 2014, 15:05

where to get it

Krisidious · 5 May 2014, 16:38

Download | CabMaker32Download – CabMaker32

(cabmaker32.com)

you'll have to create and account to download and see the options.

chris87 · 8 May 2014, 09:15

Crash when opening sketchup 8 pro !

Garry K · 8 May 2014, 15:20

Chris,

What OS are you running. What is your model set to? Are you saying that your entire sketchup session crashed when loading the plugin?

This is the first time I've heard this? There must be something else going on. Do you have rights to plugins folder or are you running virtual store? Do you use a loader.rb and put plugins in a public area?

matt.gordon320 · 8 May 2014, 15:56

How much does the Plugin cost after the trial period is over?

chris87 · 8 May 2014, 16:51

@garry k said:

Chris,

What OS are you running. What is your model set to? Are you saying that your entire sketchup session crashed when loading the plugin?

This is the first time I've heard this? There must be something else going on. Do you have rights to plugins folder or are you running virtual store? Do you use a loader.rb and put plugins in a public area?

Windows 7 32 bits.
A bug splat is produced when sketchup starts.
After removing your plugin all is OK.
I have good rights on the plugin folder. I don't use a loader.rb and i don't put plugins in a public area.... Perhaps a conflict with another plugin ???
Best regards.

Garry K · 8 May 2014, 18:22

I'm thinking there is a conflict with something else.

Running loader.rb really simplifies testing for me
I run SU7, SU8, SU2013 and SU2014 and I have just one location for my plugins.

loader.rb has 2 lines:
require( 'sketchup.rb' )
require_all( 'C:/Users/Public/Documents/Sketchup' )

I put a copy of loader.rb into each sketchup version plugins folder

I create a folder which is added to each sketchup version plugins folder.
I also create a quarantine folder
C:/Users/Public/Documents/Sketchup
C:/Users/Public/Documents/quarantine

I would then move all my plugins over to the quarantine location
Move gkware_stairmaker.rb and gkware_stairmaker folder over to C:/Users/Public/Documents/Sketchup

Startup Sketchup - I'm pretty confident that it will load.

Move 1 or 2 plugins at a time from quarantine over to C:/Users/Public/Documents/Sketchup
and try starting up sketchup.

At some point you will get your crash - Move the plugin that has the conflict back to quarantine and keep going through all your plugins until just 1 or more plugins that has issue with Stair Maker exists in quarantine.

Tell me which plugin(s) these are.

Please note that not all plugins are designed to work outside original plugins folder.

micione · 30 May 2014, 06:18

StairMaker plugin, significantly slows
the importing of images and textures in SU2014

Garry K · 30 May 2014, 18:38

I have performed tests with SU7, SU8, SU2013 and SU2014 with windows 7 and stairmaker and cannot duplicate this issue.

However - If I load up alot of plugins (without stairmaker) I can produce a significant slowdown.

Roberto (micione) has contacted me via email and confirmed that if he unloads a couple of other plugins that his problem goes away.

Krisidious · 30 May 2014, 20:28

Go ahead and name names... Plugins that slow other plugins should probably be named so that their creators can look into it.

Garry K · 30 May 2014, 20:32

Kristoff - I wasn't given the names.

It is also possible that if you add too many plugins and you have limited memory that you experience the same thing. Something like the straw that broke the camels back!!!

Regardless - it is up to Roberto to name names!

Garry K · 14 Jul 2014, 17:26

I'm adding a 2D to 3D stair converter to Stair Maker Suite.

The input box pops up when you press the 2D button. You adjust the total rise, number of risers etc. and click OK. The tread number resets to the first tread.

Then you select the edge at the front of the tread (or edges) and select the tread face and press the 3D button (or use a hot key - mine is set to Shift 'T').

Start at the bottom of the stair and work your way up to the top. The Tread number automatically increments and the 2D face reverses (to indicate that you have processed that tread).

Please note that the first and last tread/riser are handled differently than the middle ones.

You must temporarily add a few lines at the bottom and at the top of the stair. At the bottom this tells the 3D button which lines to use for the first nosing. This is especially needed for volutes etc. The plugin knows when you have reached the top of the stair as the tread number will equal the number of risers. The extra lines at the top of the stair tell the plugin how to finish off the top riser.

Here are some examples of different 2D stairs

Garry K · 30 Jul 2014, 15:52

I'm back to adding new features about once a month.
I'm hoping to add these features next version.

Add partial riser for open riser stair - so that the gap is no larger than 'Maximum Gap'
Allow riser to sit on tread (marble etc).
Modern Rake rail - second rail profile where there are no spindles and instead there are additional horizontal rails every 100 mm (or less)
Modern Glass panel instead of spindles

We will use the new 'Maximum Gap' rule (defaults to 100mm or 4"), for opening of partial risers and spacing for rake rails and Modern Glass panels. Here is the new 'Codes and Rules' page

The new 'Stair Configuration' page contains 2 check boxes which are 'Partial Riser', and 'Risers Sit On Treads' as well as 2 drop downs which are 'Spindle Options' and 'Spinde Style'

Here is an example of a stair that is flared and has 'Open Riser' and 'Partial Riser' checked.

BMoffa · 2 Sept 2014, 14:22

I have a requirement for a staircase that begins as a 180 degree spiral within a 10-12 foot space for the first 6 feet (approximate) of rise. The steps then continue as a straight run to the top--approximately another 5 feet. Is it possible to do this with Stair Maker?

Also, I haven't seen anything regarding pricing.

Garry K · 3 Sept 2014, 17:09

You can check out prices on my web site. CabMaker32.com
You must log in to see prices.

The web dialog currently will not create a stair with curved and straight steps. A future version will add this capability.

There is a 2D to 3D stair conversion utility that will create treads and risers based on a 2D drawing. You could use the Stair Maker to create the curved portion of the stair and use the 2D to 3D utility to create the rest of the treads.

Krisidious · 3 Sept 2014, 18:16

@garry k said:

There is a 2D to 3D stair conversion utility that will create treads and risers based on a 2D drawing. You could use the Stair Maker to create the curved portion of the stair and use the 2D to 3D utility to create the rest of the treads.

And it rocks...

Garry K · 4 Oct 2014, 14:12

I've finished testing version 1.0.20 of the Stair Maker plugin Suite.
I've fixed a number of issues and added new features.

Changed the web dialog
the enter key now acts like the OK button.
the escape key now acts like the cancel button.
Fixed first time registration bug.
Web dialog is no longer resizeable
Added ‘Open Style Sheet’ drop down. You can now store and retrieve style sheets.
Changed ‘Save As Default’ check box to ‘Save Style Sheet’ drop down. You can now save current style as a named style sheet.
Issue with first nosing. Fixed
Added feature risers now have choice to sit on tread - stone risers etc...
Added feature for partial risers with open riser stair
Added featuer - you can now specifiy side nosing for tread independently from front of tread nosing.
Back of tread was not bullnosed for open riser progressive flare. Fixed
Added checks
Web Dialog data entry now pops up message for invalid data entry
Tread dado must be less than tread thickness
Tread bullnose cannot be negative
Tread nosing cannot be negative
Tread side nosing cannot be negative
Riser nosing cannot be greater than tread nosing
Riser nosing cannot be negative
Tread bullnose cannot be larger than tread nosing
Riser boards now work with progressive flare.
Updated translation files
Flared risers have stringer dado problem. Fixed
Housed stringer at front of stair not calculating properly. Fixed
Flared treads greater than 65mm had problems. You can now flare tight radius stairs up to around 150 mm.

Krisidious · 5 Oct 2014, 05:02

You've been a busy bee... looks great.