sketchucation logo sketchucation
    • Login
    ℹ️ Licensed Extensions | FredoBatch, ElevationProfile, FredoSketch, LayOps, MatSim and Pic2Shape will require license from Sept 1st More Info

    3D Truss Models

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Plugins
    1.5k Posts 31 Posters 869.7k Views 30 Watching
    Loading More Posts
    • Oldest to Newest
    • Newest to Oldest
    • Most Votes
    Reply
    • Reply as topic
    Log in to reply
    This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
    • medeekM Offline
      medeek
      last edited by

      Tutorial 5: Hip Truss Sets (24:32 min.)

      Nathaniel P. Wilkerson PE
      Medeek Engineering Inc
      design.medeek.com

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • medeekM Offline
        medeek
        last edited by

        On my Kickstarter campaign there was a recent comment regarding the pricing of my plugins. I have been giving this some thought recently and I thought I might also share my remarks on the board as well:

        I agree that there is certainly an argument that I charge too little for these plugins and I have wrestled some with this problem. Others have also privately messaged me or emailed me with similar remarks and recommended that I bump my prices, sometimes tenfold.

        The current reasoning behind my low pricing structure can be summarized with the following points:

        1.) All of these plugins are currently in a developmental phase. Unfortunately, I have not been able to exert my full time efforts at this development so progress has been slow. I find it hard to charge a "fair amount" for a product that in my mind is still flawed and imperfect. My "todo" list is currently about 60 items and written out covers about 2 pages. To charge a "professional" price requires that one provide a "professional" service or product, I don't feel like I'm there yet.

        2.) I have looked at some of the competition such as Pluspec and others who charge considerably more than I do. Again the sophistication of the their product exceeds my own so the price differential is warranted. But more importantly I'm not a huge fan of pricey design software, that is what has led me to SketchUp in the first place. The SketchUp community in general has adopted this mindset (in my opinion) and I don't feel that they would get behind an expensive solution.

        3.) I am also trying to keep the plugin within the reach of the casual user (DIY'er), someone who simply wants to model up a single house or garage for their own personal use. In some cases the trial version of the plugin(s) will work for that but I have recently limited it quite strictly so any serious design work will require a registered license.

        4.) I have also considered a subscription model, but my own distaste of that licensing mode has kept me from going down that road. Once your purchase a software you should be able to use it indefinitely as it stands. Additional payment should only be required if you are requesting an update or added functionality.

        5.) What better way to discourage copy cats and the competition to price it too low as to make it worth their while. No one in their right mind will try to recreate what I have done with trusses when the payback is so little and the effort is so large.

        With all of that being said I do think that the sweet spot, which still meets the requirements of the above points, may still be a bit higher than what I am currently charging. I need to find the correct amount to charge so that the above points are carefully balanced with the fact that I need to be able to justify the amount of time and effort I spend in developing these products.

        Nathaniel P. Wilkerson PE
        Medeek Engineering Inc
        design.medeek.com

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • pbacotP Offline
          pbacot
          last edited by

          Good points. Nathan. I like your approach, Keeping it powerful but simple.

          MacOSX MojaveSketchUp Pro v19 Twilight v2 Thea v3 PowerCADD

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • facerF Offline
            facer
            last edited by

            Medeek (aka Nathaniel Wilkerson)

            I agree with your arguments Medeek.

            As your software develops and has gained a "foothold" you can always
            offer the "Pro Version" which will have applications suited for professional users
            but at a "higher price".

            I also think you just "love construction engineering" and want to share it with the world 😄
            By dropping your "pebble" into the universe who knows where it will lead.

            Keep up the good work!
            Your Kickstarter is "best value for money yet"!

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • medeekM Offline
              medeek
              last edited by

              If I ever do build my office I was thinking of doing some sort of cedar siding and then putting my logo or some of my other designs on the exterior:

              http://design.medeek.com/resources/images/truss_su249_800.jpg

              View model here:

              Link Preview Image
              3D Warehouse

              3D Warehouse is a website of searchable, pre-made 3D models that works seamlessly with SketchUp.

              favicon

              (3dwarehouse.sketchup.com)

              Some of my other designs are here:

              http://www.wilkersonart.com

              Nathaniel P. Wilkerson PE
              Medeek Engineering Inc
              design.medeek.com

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • facerF Offline
                facer
                last edited by

                Medeek Const Library - Kickstarter Status at: 8 Jul

                Just a moment...

                favicon

                (www.kickstarter.com)

                Meedeek Kickstarter - update 02 - 8 Jul.jpg

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • medeekM Offline
                  medeek
                  last edited by

                  Version 1.9.4 - 07.08.2017

                  • Added energy/raised heels for triple howe truss (3 variant: wedge, slider and vertical w/ strut).
                  • Metal plate connectors now enabled for triple howe trusses.

                  http://design.medeek.com/resources/images/truss_su250_800.jpg

                  Below would be a typical example of a 60' span using a triple howe truss.

                  http://design.medeek.com/resources/images/truss_su251_800.jpg

                  However, in most cases where the design calls for taller walls one would probably go with a steel building or CMU block walls. This was the case on a building I designed about 10 years ago (Wasatch Building Supply, Utah) that had 20 ft. walls. Its too bad I don't have an interior photo showing the trusses inside the warehouse roof, its quite a sight to behold.

                  http://design.medeek.com/gallery/COM10060_LINDON_2006/COM10060_LINDON_2006_480.jpg

                  Link Preview Image
                  Google Maps

                  Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

                  favicon

                  Google Maps (www.google.com)

                  Nathaniel P. Wilkerson PE
                  Medeek Engineering Inc
                  design.medeek.com

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • medeekM Offline
                    medeek
                    last edited by

                    I'm trying to roll a new revision of the plugin but the Extension signing page is not working:

                    Link Preview Image
                    SketchUp Extension Warehouse

                    Your library of custom third-party extensions created to optimize your SketchUp workflow.

                    favicon

                    (extensions.sketchup.com)

                    It won't generate the 2015 and earlier encryption for some reason, any one else notice this problem?

                    Nathaniel P. Wilkerson PE
                    Medeek Engineering Inc
                    design.medeek.com

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • G Offline
                      glro
                      last edited by

                      @medeek said:

                      ...I'm not a huge fan of pricey design software, that is what has led me to SketchUp in the first place. The SketchUp community in general has adopted this mindset (in my opinion) and I don't feel that they would get behind an expensive solution.

                      3.) I am also trying to keep the plugin within the reach of the casual user (DIY'er), someone who simply wants to model up a single house or garage for their own personal use. In some cases the trial version of the plugin(s) will work for that but I have recently limited it quite strictly so any serious design work will require a registered license.

                      4.) I have also considered a subscription model, but my own distaste of that licensing mode has kept me from going down that road. Once your purchase a software you should be able to use it indefinitely as it stands. Additional payment should only be required if you are requesting an update or added functionality.

                      5.) What better way to discourage copy cats and the competition to price it too low as to make it worth their while. No one in their right mind will try to recreate what I have done with trusses when the payback is so little and the effort is so large.

                      just a few ideas i had, after reading your post:

                      you only think about the price user would have to pay for using your plugins, but it is not the only parameter; there is another one, as important, and it is how much money the user can make by using your plugin; so that the real price of your plugin is not the price the user pays, but the difference between the money he makes minus the price he paid

                      this leads me to another idea: writing code is fun, but it may be contradictory to the goal of making a business through coding; one have to be clear: if really it is about making a business through coding, development should be focused on what makes added value for the user, so that he might be willing to pay for the plugin.

                      your plugin is very specific to wood structure in USA; i work as a structural engineer in Europe, so i have some knowledge about wood structures, but i don't understand the words you use to explain the specificites of your plugin. If you want to make your audience larger, maybe a good idea would be to use more generic words and concepts.

                      Those are just ideas, i don't pretend anything, but i am puzzled by the contradiction between the amount of work you put in this plugin, and the low audience you get so far

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • medeekM Offline
                        medeek
                        last edited by

                        Version 1.9.5 - 07.11.2017

                        • Added energy/raised heels for quad fink truss (3 variant: wedge, slider and vertical w/ strut).
                        • Metal plate connectors now enabled for quad fink trusses.

                        http://design.medeek.com/resources/images/truss_su252_800.jpg

                        This concludes the updates needed for common trusses. I still have a number of updates for all the other truss types to bring them up to speed.

                        Nathaniel P. Wilkerson PE
                        Medeek Engineering Inc
                        design.medeek.com

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • facerF Offline
                          facer
                          last edited by

                          Medeek Const Library - Kickstarter Status at: 15 Jul
                          https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/128644708/medeek-construction-plugin-library


                          Meedeek Kickstarter - update 03 - 15 Jul.jpg

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • TandemT Offline
                            Tandem
                            last edited by

                            Excellent news for all licensed users of the Medeek Truss Plugin.
                            Nathaniel just added additional pledges to the Medeek Construction Library KickStarter project.
                            If you have an existing Truss Plugin license and pledge $20 or more you will receive a license for the upcoming Construction Library.

                            The Construction Library will include:

                            • Truss Plugin

                            • Foundation Plugin

                            • Wall Plugin (Pre-release)
                              with the following plugins to be added in the future:

                            • Structural Plugin (Engineering)

                            • Deck Plugin

                            • Stair Plugin

                            • RC Plugin (Reinforced Concrete)

                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • medeekM Offline
                              medeek
                              last edited by

                              Making a slight detour back to the wood gusset plate question and nail spacing:

                              What I would like to compare is the following:

                              http://res.cloudinary.com/engineering-com/image/upload/v1500572300/tips/nailpattern_bffbuj.jpg

                              Same amount of nails in each test specimen. The tighter nail spacing allows for 66.6% the gusset length versus the 2 row configuration.

                              Any one want to venture a guess which one is stronger and by how much?

                              I just need to figure out a test rig and then load these two up and see what happens.

                              For a DF main member and OSB (7/16) I get 173.7 lbs per fastener (double shear) or a total of 1,389.6 lbs for eight (8) 10d fasteners.

                              I'm wondering how much the connection will stretch at this design load (loaded in pure tension, parallel to grain of main member) and at what load will it fail, then compare the results from both configurations.

                              Nathaniel P. Wilkerson PE
                              Medeek Engineering Inc
                              design.medeek.com

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • TandemT Offline
                                Tandem
                                last edited by

                                My guess would be that the offset nailing pattern would be stronger in tension maybe by 20%.

                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • G Offline
                                  Garry K
                                  last edited by

                                  another guess is the nailing pattern that has the greater surface area. Ok - lets go 20% and this is because I would use an adhesive with plywood gussets.

                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • medeekM Offline
                                    medeek
                                    last edited by

                                    I agree that with the greater surface area an adhesive would give it the advantage but in this test I will eliminate any adhesive, the test is primarily to compare the effects the nail spacing might have on the strength and also to investigate the potential for splitting of the wood of the main member.

                                    If a moment is applied to the connection it is probably clear to everyone that the 2 row configuration is superior.

                                    Using larger gussets plates and increasing the nail spacing would have some benefits:

                                    1.) Decrease the potential for splitting of the main members.
                                    2.) Increase the moment capacity of the joint.
                                    3.) The trusses will be stiffer and deflection will be less.
                                    4.) More margin of safety in the gusset plates themselves since they are larger.

                                    The downside is:

                                    1.) Larger gusset plates means more material -> more cost.
                                    2.) The weight of each truss is increased slightly.

                                    Ultimately, I would like to arrive at the optimized spacing which balances size (safety) vs. cost.

                                    Nathaniel P. Wilkerson PE
                                    Medeek Engineering Inc
                                    design.medeek.com

                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • pbacotP Offline
                                      pbacot
                                      last edited by

                                      Cool there's one in my town. I can go over and borrow it! There's one in the middle of the Atlantic too.

                                      MacOSX MojaveSketchUp Pro v19 Twilight v2 Thea v3 PowerCADD

                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • medeekM Offline
                                        medeek
                                        last edited by

                                        I've updated the user map so that it now shows all users at once without a time lapse effect:

                                        404 - File or directory not found.

                                        favicon

                                        (design.medeek.com)

                                        and a new combined map with both the foundation and truss plugin:

                                        404 - File or directory not found.

                                        favicon

                                        (design.medeek.com)

                                        Nathaniel P. Wilkerson PE
                                        Medeek Engineering Inc
                                        design.medeek.com

                                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • facerF Offline
                                          facer
                                          last edited by

                                          %(#000000)[Medeek Const Library - Kickstarter Status at: 22 Jul

                                          https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/128644708/medeek-construction-plugin-library]


                                          Meedeek Kickstarter - update 05 - 22jul.JPG

                                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • medeekM Offline
                                            medeek
                                            last edited by

                                            Language support is something I've been thinking about today. I am wondering if there is any need for this in the plugin(s). I was thinking about adding support for French, Spanish, German and Japanese. I'm also curious as to how others have accomplished this with their own plugins.

                                            Nathaniel P. Wilkerson PE
                                            Medeek Engineering Inc
                                            design.medeek.com

                                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                            • 1
                                            • 2
                                            • 37
                                            • 38
                                            • 39
                                            • 40
                                            • 41
                                            • 74
                                            • 75
                                            • 39 / 75
                                            • First post
                                              Last post
                                            Buy SketchPlus
                                            Buy SUbD
                                            Buy WrapR
                                            Buy eBook
                                            Buy Modelur
                                            Buy Vertex Tools
                                            Buy SketchCuisine
                                            Buy FormFonts

                                            Advertisement