3D Truss Models

medeek · 31 Oct 2017, 13:38

Looks good, how about a radius field to control the curvature?

The field with the "R" is the radius, I've uploaded version 2.0.4d so you can test it out. Let me know if there are more appropriate default values to use for the dimensions.

I just noticed the units are missing from the screenshot of the D-style gutter, I'll fix that.

medeek · 31 Oct 2017, 21:16

Since I'm adding in gutters I should probably add in fascia and soffits, yet another tab in the global settings.

dpaul · 31 Oct 2017, 22:32

Gutters, downspouts, and other pieces of your trusses/roof plugin will be of value to us, of course.

But since you are now widening the use and scope of the plugin to roofs and entablatures themselves, can I suggest a close look at GET YOUR HOUSE RIGHT--architectural elements to use & avoid-- by MARIANNE CUSATO?

I believe studying the parameters she highlights as historically correct can only be of real help to how you precisely lay out new plugin parameters (for example, how the half-round gutter fits on the entablature, or how 'poor man's greek return' could be done easily and accurately. And so on....).

All best.

medeek · 1 Nov 2017, 03:14

@dpaul said:

Gutters, downspouts, and other pieces of your trusses/roof plugin will be of value to us, of course.

But since you are now widening the use and scope of the plugin to roofs and entablatures themselves, can I suggest a close look at GET YOUR HOUSE RIGHT--architectural elements to use & avoid-- by MARIANNE CUSATO?

I believe studying the parameters she highlights as historically correct can only be of real help to how you precisely lay out new plugin parameters (for example, how the half-round gutter fits on the entablature, or how 'poor man's greek return' could be done easily and accurately. And so on....).

All best.

Bought it and a couple others for good measure. I'm still working on the straight skeleton but I'm also wanting to add in some of the finishing touches to a roof so that the plugin can actually be utilized by architects and designers.

The roof, and the entire structure for that matter, is similar to the human body. The trusses and framing is only the skeleton. We need all of the other components to make the assembly whole.

medeek · 2 Nov 2017, 05:40

Preview of the E-Style or "Box Gutter":

Note that I've also added the downspout options and parameters. The units don't show in this screen shot but they will within the plugin.

This type of gutter is probably more common in commercial applications.

juju · 2 Nov 2017, 06:31

Attached ZIP file with some PDF's and DWG's of frequently used system, at least in South Africa. The files may be relatively old, but they are still current.

I think the profiles relate closely to some of the various style variants you refer to.

Watertite.zip

medeek · 6 Nov 2017, 00:22

Version 2.0.5 - 11.05.2017

Added gutters and downspouts for rafter and truss hip roofs.
Gutter menu added to the global settings.
Custom roof layer added for gutters in the layer menu within the global settings.

I still need to add gutters and downspouts to the gable roofs (truss and rafter).

Four gutter types with two different downspout types.

This is a new feature so please send me your feedback and I will try to address all of the issues.

The gutter shown is a 6" half round with a 2.75" round downspout. The gutter and downspouts are separate solids so that one can easily adjust the placement of the downspouts after the fact.

The downspout angle is 15 degrees, with a 3" drop out of the gutter and a downspout center line radius of 3".

View model here:

3D Warehouse

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

(3dwarehouse.sketchup.com)

medeek · 6 Nov 2017, 07:21

K-Style gutter with "2x3" downspouts.

I may need to add a few more user configurable variables:

offset from bldg. corner (currently I have it offset 0" from the framing)
offset from framed wall (currently I have it offset 1" from the framing)
downspout radius (currently set at 3" @ CL)
downspout drop (currently set at 3" before the first bend)

Right now these values are all hard coded into the plugin.

medeek · 6 Nov 2017, 16:15

Version 2.0.5b - 11.06.2017

Fixed a minor bug with the downspout module, downspout solid is now a uniform extrusion with no unnecessary seams or edges.

medeek · 7 Nov 2017, 14:31

Version 2.0.5c - 11.07.2017

Fixed a minor bug with the gutter layer for installation upgrades of the plugin.

If you have version 2.0.5b please upgrade to this version or be sure to open up the global settings and click on the layers tab, this will create the default gutter layer setting.

medeek · 11 Nov 2017, 04:36

Version 2.0.6 - 11.10.2017

Added gutters and downspouts for rafter and truss gable roofs.
Added gutters and downspouts for dutch gable rafter roofs.

I still need to add gutters to monoslope truss roofs, shed roofs and some other specialized truss roofs. Adding the gutters to the common truss roof became slightly more complicated when I realized I also had to deal with roof returns and their various configurations.

This gable roof has a hip return with fully wrapped gutter, you can also choose to half wrap or no wrap (linear gutter only at eaves, does not wrap around corner).

The dutch gable is really no different than the regular hip roof, when it comes to the gutter and its configuration, but internally it is a completely different set of advanced options.

pbacot · 11 Nov 2017, 05:55

Very nice looking models!

medeek · 11 Nov 2017, 15:21

Half wrap of a hip roof return:

All of the gutters and downspouts are constructed as solids so that it is easy to manipulate them with Pro's boolean tools or other third party solid tools.

medeek · 12 Nov 2017, 07:08

Version 2.0.6b - 2017.11.11

I've added a text file in the materials sub-folder that allows one to modify the available materials (colors) for the gutters within the global settings menu.

The default values are:

8B4513:BROWN
B87333:COPPER
C0C0C0:SILVER
FFD700:GOLD
8B0000:DARK RED
0000CD:MEDIUM BLUE
006400:DARK GREEN
556B2F:DARK OLIVE GREEN
FFFFF0:IVORY

If all of these custom materials are deleted then only "white" will be available "FFFFFF" in the global settings.

The first six letters is the RGB value for the color, the description after the colon is the color name.

medeek · 13 Nov 2017, 02:57

The Medeek Seal of Authenticity:

This will be shown in the new license tab of the plugin global settings when the copy is fully registered.

medeek · 14 Nov 2017, 16:16

Had a little fun with AutoCAD and SketchUp yesterday. I created the arc aligned text in AutoCAD first and then imported the DXF, then completed the solid model in SketchUp:

I can't believe I used to solid model in AutoCAD, what a clunky interface for that sort of thing. I will say though that AutoCAD is still king when it comes to 2D drawings though, SketchUp has a ways to go in that regard.

Even solid modeling in SolidWorks seems really slow and awkward now, and that used to be my goto for anything 3D.

medeek · 16 Nov 2017, 16:29

Version 2.0.7 - 11.16.2017

Added license tab to the global settings.
Minor updates to the licensing system.

I've spent a couple days on adding language support but was unable to roll it out with this latest release. I will keep working on this in the next few days and hopefully have something to show for my efforts with the next major release.

As far as languages go I am planning on producing language files for each of the SU supported languages.

Any help with translating some of these very construction specific terms and phrases would be greatly appreciated. Google translate seems to work quite well but I don't completely trust some of its translations.

medeek · 17 Nov 2017, 07:00

Starting to make some head way on the translation / language support:

I've decided to devise my own language handler since I could not get the built in one to work.

The upside is that this allows me so support any language I choose, not just the languages supported by SketchUp. I will be adding in an option in the general settings where the user can select their language of choice.

I will also be storing the language data in a new sub-folder "lang". My intent is to be able to make it possible for the user to add their own language file and translations if they need to.

medeek · 17 Nov 2017, 16:02

I've identified a couple of major bugs with the gutter module when using metric templates. I will address those later today and roll out a sub-release. I apologize for not catching those earlier.

medeek · 18 Nov 2017, 07:21

My first menu in Japanese:

Fortunately, I know a little Japanese so I think I've got these more or less correct. I will probably need to have a native Japanese speaker who is familiar with the construction industry check these over for me.