3D Truss Models

medeek · 23 Nov 2017, 19:09

Speaking of complex roofs:

medeek · 23 Nov 2017, 19:43

Back to complex roofs. I've been giving some thought to complex truss roofs and how to handle L-shaped roofs and their derivatives. Basically there is three ways to frame them out, which one is the most standard or preferred?

3D Warehouse

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

(3dwarehouse.sketchup.com)

3D Warehouse

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

(3dwarehouse.sketchup.com)

3D Warehouse

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

(3dwarehouse.sketchup.com)

Option C with a drop in purlin frame:

3D Warehouse

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

(3dwarehouse.sketchup.com)

medeek · 24 Nov 2017, 01:08

Valley sets can get a little interesting when you start dealing with intersecting hip roofs. If the width of the projection were to increase the valley set would become a combination of standard valley trusses and flat top or hip valley trusses.

View model here:

3D Warehouse

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

(3dwarehouse.sketchup.com)

With the projection width extended:

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 · 25 Nov 2017, 09:39

Version 2.0.9 - 11.25.2017

Structural outlookers (vert. & horz.) enabled under advanced roof options for Parallel Chord truss type.
Metal plate connectors now enabled for all parallel chord trusses.

This truss type should now be up-to-date with all of the advanced options available:

roof returns, gutters, ceiling drywall, ridge cap etc...

medeek · 26 Nov 2017, 19:40

I was discussing the plugin with a family friend and he suggested I offer a student version of the plugin (ie. fully functional but time limited to one year and purchase requires a student ID).

I already offer a trial version (freemium model) that is limited in its functionality.

Is there any need for this?

pbacot · 26 Nov 2017, 20:04

Some sort of educational version might be good, or licensing to school or class that has an expiration so it is harder to pirate... It may be some teachers would like to use it to familiarize students with construction methods, besides the modelling aspect.

juju · 29 Nov 2017, 06:15

Is there some way you can incorporate a method for exporting/importing settings (user defined layers for example) in your various extensions? I'm migrating to a new machine and this seems like a useful feature, even though it may be one that will probably not be used a lot.

medeek · 29 Nov 2017, 18:19

Version 2.1.0 - 11.28.2017

Added Northeast hip set trusses.
Enabled advanced options for northeast hip sets.
Added energy/raised heels for northeast hip set (3 variants: wedge, slider and vertical w/ strut).
Added the option for open vs. closed end jacks.
Added the option for a drop in purlin frame.
Enabled a graphical user interface for Truss Set selection.

I only plan on adding the midwest and california variants if requested.

I don't want to toot my own horn but these truss sets are quite complex, I'm still amazed that I've been able to finally write the code to generate all of this geometry. At first it is a bit overwhelming but when you break it down into its components and slowly grind each one out sooner or later it emerges.

I still have not added plates to the truss hip sets due to the complexity and the fact that it is low on the priority list for now. Complex roof are currently my biggest hurdle and I am still battling with how to best approach these from a systematic standpoint and then dive into the details once the overall layout is configured.

Until I have complex roofs figured out the plugin is only about halfway there, but at least I've got my foot in the door and I'm making progress.

When you consider that you can create one of these hip truss sets literally in seconds with all of the sheathing, cladding, fascia, gutters etc... and it is all geometrically correct, it is pretty cool. Manually it would take me well over an hour to try and generate this level of detail without the plugin, there is something to be said for automation.

medeek · 29 Nov 2017, 18:22

@juju said:

Is there some way you can incorporate a method for exporting/importing settings (user defined layers for example) in your various extensions? I'm migrating to a new machine and this seems like a useful feature, even though it may be one that will probably not be used a lot.

I don't know how to do it on a Mac but if your running Windows you can probably pull the settings directly from the registry and then insert them back in on the new machine.

I will give this some thought.

medeek · 29 Nov 2017, 19:28

The reason I am taking so long with complex rafter and truss roofs is the possible permutations is making things very challenging.

For example take the truss roof below:

I'm assuming there are no interior bearing walls and we want to clearspan the entire building outline. I can get the basic roof and truss layout by creating to hip truss sets as primitives but that is where it then becomes very interesting.

As you can see there are two mid-building girder trusses that then catch the mono pitch sub-girders which are each supporting two common trusses. Next to the sub-girders is a small valley set (half valley) that fills in the roof behind the sub-girders.

The largest span is 36', which is reasonable. This appears to be the simplest way to truss this roof out but is probably not the only solution. A good truss technician could tell me how close I am to the optimal solution.

Granted the complex rafter roof is not IMHO as hard a problem but it also has similar difficulties and issues.

View model at this link:

3D Warehouse

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

(3dwarehouse.sketchup.com)

medeek · 30 Nov 2017, 00:09

C'est merveilleux, merci beaucoup.

pilou · 30 Nov 2017, 09:51

I will make corrections on the post above!

medeek · 30 Nov 2017, 16:14

French translation of the Roof Truss Menu:

I will roll a sub revision so everyone can try it out.

pilou · 30 Nov 2017, 18:21

It's a beginning!

Have you a system of translation ?
Or I must edit some files ?

medeek · 30 Nov 2017, 19:25

I am still compiling the list of words and phrases, there are a lot of menus, too many.

pilou · 30 Nov 2017, 23:00

That is the problem of very detailed program!

Ps I can make an adpatation of this page in French!
Only for the fun, (It's my hobby)

So that will be a cool training for the future Panel's Truss Translation!

Yet made Twillight , Podium , FlexTools , Groboto (collector), ZBrush , SimLab Composer ,
3DCoat (Manual), PolyBrush , Qubicle2 , SUbD , Profil Builder2 , Moi3D , GifCam , Monolith (manual), [url=http://visualizervf.weebly.com:26zyq7ev][u:26zyq7ev]Visualizer[/u:26zyq7ev][/url:26zyq7ev], [url=http://visualizervf.weebly.com:26zyq7ev][u:26zyq7ev]SolveSpace[/u:26zyq7ev][/url:26zyq7ev] etc...and so many UI, Manuals, curiosities etc...
I'm frightened by this list!

medeek · 2 Dec 2017, 05:18

Wow, that is pretty amazing.

pilou · 2 Dec 2017, 12:20

Look at your Private messages!

medeek · 4 Dec 2017, 05:35

As the number of advanced options have increased (common trusses) the user input menu has slowly grown in size until it is so large that it often does not fit the screen of many laptops and smaller screens.

This problem has been well documented by a number of users for quite some time.

This weekend I spent some time putting together a new HTML menu for advanced options for roof trusses:

I still need to work out the metric version and also all of the language translations but otherwise I think it is almost ready to roll out.

As you mouse over each of the options a 320x240 image will display as shown, hopefully clarifying the meaning or usage of each parameter/option.

pilou · 4 Dec 2017, 08:59

Help Image is a very very good idea!
Very very first draft as you can see the "?" !

Veuillez choisir les options avancées pour les fermes de toiture
Roof and Wall Sheathing = Revêtement de Toiture et Revêtement Mural
Roof Sheathing = Revêtement de Toiture
Roof Sheating Thickness = Épaisseur du Revêtement de Toiture
Gable Wall Sheathing = Revêtement Mural du Pignon

sub-fascia = Sous-fascia ?
sub-fascia type = Type de Sous-fascia ?
sub-fascia width = Largeur de Sous-fascia ?
sub-fascia depth = Profondeur de Sous-fascia ?

rakeboard = ?
gable overhang = Porte-à-faux du Pignon
rake board width = Largeur ?
rake board depth = Profondeur ?

outloockers = Débords ?
outlooker spacing = Espacement du Débord ?
outlooker size = Taille du Débord ?
structural outlookers = Débord Structurel ?
outlooker @ roof peak = Débord @ Pointe de Toit ?

heel blocking = Blocage du Talon ?
heel block orientation = Orientation du Talon ?

cladding = Revêtement
roof cladding = Revêtement de Toiture
hip and ridge cap = Capuchon de Croupe et de Faîtage ?
gable wall cladding = Revêtement Mural du Pignon

additional options = Options Supplémentaires
soffit cut = Coupe de Soffite ?
roof returns = Retours de Toit
roof battens = Lattes de toit
ceiling gypsum = Gypse de Plafond
gutters = Gouttières

...
dropped top chord = Panne Supérieure Lancée ?