Medeek Door and Window
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Dynamic doors and windows
Flex Tools "system" appears to be a good complement to one's tool bag of plugins but a bit expensive at 99 Euro!
Some ideas for you to consider for your plugins
FlexTools - Go-to SketchUp Tool for Architects and Designers
Architects and 3D artists use FlexTools to generate SketchUp doors, windows and more, with exceptional levels of speed and control.
FlexTools (flextools.cc)
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You have also Click Windows!
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I like the two point entry of FlexTools versus the three point entry I was considering. I don't see any advantages to using three points when two points will work, thoughts?
I also like the idea of adding a separate (optional) window/door layer just for the 2D plan view, especially for doors. The layer would show a 2D representation of the door for your typical plan sets.
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how does the two point entry work?
What I like is inserting windows and door of known (preset) and standardized (for the project anyway) sizes and styles. A good tool lets you reset during the process or even after, and offers standard sizes to choose from.
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My 3pt windows plugin is meant to be super easy and quick to use. (Not very detailed though.)
How do you plan to get the dimensions of a window with just 2 clicks?
My idea was to avoid lots of settings to make the workflow fast.
First set the window setting of your choice and then click away. -
With a two point entry you start with the lower left corner and then click the upper right corner, similar to the rectangle tool.
If the wall openings already exist at the correct rough opening (RO) dimensions then your windows and doors will be the correct standard sizes.
For a typical 3068 door (36"x80") the RO size would need to be 38" by 82" (assuming a 7/8" threshold height or jamb leg height).
For windows the RO dimensions are typically the nominal dimensions, so the actual window dimensions are 1/2" less (height and width).
Since this may be best left to the user to decide I can setup another global option which will allow the user to toggle between two point or three point selection, not a big deal.
For both windows and doors I've decided that the preview screen needs to consist of five preview panels.
A front and rear elevation, showing the overall look of the door or window and other details such as trim, molding, door type, mullions, LH/RH, threshold.
Below that I will have a section details for: Head, Jamb and Sill.
The advanced options will allow for the placement of interior molding/casing with window stools, aprons etc... as each of these options are turned on the preview panes will be updated with the appropriate geometry and dimensions.
This may sound like overkill but I think it will allow the user to very precisely determine the design of the window/door and allow them to fully preview and predict what the plugin will produce.
Since some of these configurations involve a lot of parameters and know one wants to have to reset a bunch of parameters each time they load the plugin, I will implement three things:
1.) Each parameters default will be able to be set in the global settings.
2.) In a session the plugin will remember the parameters last used and will load these overiding the defaults.
3.) I will also implement a system whereby the user can store a given configuration of parameters and quickly load these up by selecting a saved configuration.This plugin will be tightly integrated with the new Wall Plugin and also with the Truss Plugin (dormers, gable walls for attic trusses), so that the parameters will flow between the plugins and update geometry accordingly.
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@pixero said:
My 3pt windows plugin is meant to be super easy and quick to use. (Not very detailed though.)
How do you plan to get the dimensions of a window with just 2 clicks?
My idea was to avoid lots of settings to make the workflow fast.
First set the window setting of your choice and then click away.I was going to reference your plugin as a super-simple way to quickly add windows to a model. It's fantastic and fast for early-stage modelling when you just need representative windows to flesh out conceptual designs.
If Medeek's plugin uses a similar approach for sizing/placing windows, but with more detail in the produced components (and therefore more attributes to set), it could play a similar role for later design stages — especially if he implements a 2D layer as suggested... a great idea!
If you could set attributes that are saved as plugin defaults (vs each time you use it), then then the workflow could be just as fast as 3pt Window, once you've set it up.
My other suggestion was that casements are a must as a standard window type, and tilt-turn would also be very useful.
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I like the stored parameters, But I'd also save the sizes. I don't want to manually make a 3080 door everytime. It's not going to be in increments, it's always going to 3080. Windows might be in increments of 2", but really for most projects there are only a few window sizes and those are plugged in repeatedly. Window head parameter would be nice, where you don't have to line up the window head each time. Actually door head too, so you don't have to set to the floor level, it automatically goes in at the correct place in relation to the floor. That's why I wondered what the 2 point placement was about. I wouln't use a tool that way, given the chance. Layout should be able to snap opening centers from a floor plan layout overlay OR use SU guides or offset from the end of walls.
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@pbacot said:
I like the stored parameters, But I'd also save the sizes. I don't want to manually make a 3080 door everytime. It's not going to be in increments, it's always going to 3080. Windows might be in increments of 2", but really for most projects there are only a few window sizes and those are plugged in repeatedly. Window head parameter would be nice, where you don't have to line up the window head each time. Actually door head too, so you don't have to set to the floor level, it automatically goes in at the correct place in relation to the floor. That's why I wondered what the 2 point placement was about. I wouln't use a tool that way, given the chance. Layout should be able to snap opening centers from a floor plan layout overlay OR use SU guides or offset from the end of walls.
I see there are two different design methods here. My initial use for this plugin was to provide windows and doors into the rough openings created by the Wall Plugin. As such the positioning of the opening is set by the wall plugin and not by this plugin or module.
However, if you are using this plugin as stand alone then the ability to position the opening and set the RO size becomes important. Also the ability to cut holes in exsitin
Two different uses. I will need to give this more thought.
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