Medeek Wall Plugin
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I need some feedback on another marketing strategy for the plugin. I'm thinking about creating a lite version Medeek Wall Plugin LT, this version would only have the 2D and 3D (no framing) mode available to it. The interior of the wall (framing, studs, headers etc...) would not be included in the LT version, nor would holdowns and any engineering or estimating features.
The LT version may be more suitable for some designers who do not want to be bothered with the details of the construction and are only interested in the layout.
The ability to insert windows and doors as well as all of the trim and casing options would still be available in the LT version.
What would you suggest as the regular price for an LT version? Is there any interest in this direction?
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I am providing a few links for the plugin below:
Main Plugin Page:
http://design.medeek.com/resources/medeekwallplugin.html
Changlog:
http://design.medeek.com/resources/wallpluginchangelog.html
Vendors:
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I've added the two beam icons to the columns toolbar:
The following beam types will be available:
- Glulam
- Sawn Lumber
- Timber (5"x5" and larger)
- SCL (LVL, PSL, LSL)
- Steel (W, C, L, HSS)
A placement parameter will allow one to specify Top Center or Bottom Center.
A ply (qty.) parameter will allow for multi-ply beams, this is typical for LVL beams and sawn lumber.
My idea on this draw tool is to have the HTML menu stay open allowing the user to draw as many beams as desired with the ability to change any of the settings within the HTML menu and then being able to resume drawing beams.
If this type of menu/tool system works well I will probably adopt something similar for the Wall Draw Tools.
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Had an interesting email today on the complexity of the plugin. I agree that the menus are a bit daunting even for myself, and I even know what each parameter is and does.
I've discussed this previously in the thread with an idea to go to an HTML menu that hopefully might be less "scary".
The problem really is that to fully define a wall with all of the flexibility needed the number of parameters quickly goes through the roof. Case in point, look at the edit window menu here:
http://design.medeek.com/test/web_dialog_editwindow.html
People like the simplicity of SketchUp, that is what has drawn many of us to it. Then I turn around a throw a bunch of menus at you with 15-20 parameters each, I can understand how this can be a bit much for many people.
As I've been contemplating this problem and trying to find a solution (compromise) I've come up with the following idea.
Essentially have the draw wall tool present an HTML menu not to dissimilar from the current HTML edit menu. However organize the options that turn off the various advanced options into highlighted headers with all of the sub-details hidden unless those particular header items are enabled. It may take a few iterations to get this right but I think it would be better than the current system of multiple menus that pop up one after the other.
I'm not a software developer or a GUI expert but when I hit upon the right solution I will know when it is right.
As far as decreasing the depth of the plugin, that cannot be done. What can be improved upon is the ability to better manage that data and organize and present it in a more concise and clear fashion.
This is the reason for the extensive global settings, the user can enable or disable the default behavior for a number of parameters and options allowing the user to precisely determine to what level of granularity they wish to take their model.
For instance many people probably don't want to model the cavity insulation (personally I don't find it that useful) but if that level of detail is needed it can be turned on in the insulation tab of the global settings.
Please continue to send me your feedback. I have lots of ideas on how this plugin should go together but I've changed gears a few times already when shown a different way.
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Nathaniel,
I had some time today to try your wall plug-in.
It appears to install just fine,(as admin/restart SU) but I have been unable to get it to function.
All of the menus appear, and when I select the draw wall icon.....set wall parameters....click OK......attempt to draw wall....nothing happens....no indication from cursor....no snap point highlight or wireframe of wall appear.Perhaps this is a MS Windows 7 Pro limitation and/or an IE V11 thing? (see my machine spec's in sig.)
Sorry to trouble you with this as I know you are incredibly busy......but figured if this is an MS/OS limitation maybe it should be posted here. (or further a compatibility note on download page)
Thanks for your time.
Edit:
I have what I believe is the latest version. (June 6th)
& License type is TRIAL and the text is green.Charlie
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@charlie__v said:
Nathaniel,
I had some time today to try your wall plug-in.
It appears to install just fine,(as admin/restart SU) but I have been unable to get it to function.
All of the menus appear, and when I select the draw wall icon.....set wall parameters....click OK......attempt to draw wall....nothing happens....no indication from cursor....no snap point highlight or wireframe of wall appear.Perhaps this is a MS Windows 7 Pro limitation and/or an IE V11 thing? (see my machine spec's in sig.)
Sorry to trouble you with this as I know you are incredibly busy......but figured if this is an MS/OS limitation maybe it should be posted here. (or further a compatibility note on download page)
Thanks for your time.
Edit:
I have what I believe is the latest version. (June 6th)
& License type is TRIAL and the text is green.Charlie
Let me guess, the advanced wall options are turned off?
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@medeek said:
Let me guess, the advanced wall options are turned off?
Advanced wall options are set to YES (in wall parameters window & global settings)
C
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@charlie__v said:
@medeek said:
Let me guess, the advanced wall options are turned off?
Advanced wall options are set to YES (in wall parameters window & global settings)
C
Open the Ruby Console, then duplicate the error and send me the error code nathan@medeek.com
I made a number of improvements yesterday and I may have inadvertently broke the plugin with the latest release (0.7.6e).
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Version 0.7.6f - 06.07.2018
- Added the ability to lock the cursor to the X or Y axis for the "Draw Wall Tool" (line and polyline) by pressing the SHIFT key.
- Added the ability to lock the cursor to the 45 deg. and 135 deg. axis for the "Draw Wall Tool" (line and polyline) by pressing the CTRL key.
Also note that I fixed a couple of bugs I accidentally created when making the code adjustments for version 0.7.6e, I managed to break the plugin for all TRIAL users.
Therefore this is a critical update, please remove the prior version and install this version which will fix the error introduced last night. This is what happens when I try to get too much done in one day.
Click on the image to view animation:
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Any chance to be able to add our own textures to the walls ? Would it be possible to just have a library that we could add too......would like to see that also in the roof textures with the truss tool.
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@alpro said:
Any chance to be able to add our own textures to the walls ? Would it be possible to just have a library that we could add too......would like to see that also in the roof textures with the truss tool.
When you say walls, are you talking about texturing the framing, cladding, sheathing or gypsum?
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Version 0.7.7 - 06.08.2018
- Created the Medeek Wall Plugin LT, a lighter version of the plugin with internal wall framing, estimating and engineering removed.
- Horizontal and Vertical OSB sheathing materials added to the pre-installed plugin materials.
Note that the June promo does not apply to the LT version of the plugin
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As far as texturing I'm talking about cladding and gypsum so that I can show client specified materials and that I don't lose those materials when a client makes changes and the walls need rebuilt.
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So finally had some time to really try this out and have run into 3 issues,
1)My global settings don't stick
2)No matter what settings I use or which direction that I draw the wall in the cladding always is inside.
3)Would be nice if last settings were remembered when drawing a new wall -
@alpro said:
So finally had some time to really try this out and have run into 3 issues,
1)My global settings don't stick
2)No matter what settings I use or which direction that I draw the wall in the cladding always is inside.
3)Would be nice if last settings were remembered when drawing a new wallWhat version are you using?
Also only use the FRONT justification, the other two are currently flawed and I am working on them.
I will need more details on which global settings are taking and also your operating system.
The previous settings should be recalled when starting a new wall, however this issue was only recently addressed in 0.7.6f, be sure to install the latest version.
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I've been getting a lot of feedback on the UI lately, for good reason of course (it's terrible).
The wall draw tool with its multiple menus is what I am talking about.
After reviewing various suggestions and giving it some more thought I think the solution is two fold:
1.) Go to an HTML menu, similar in design to the current edit menu that remains open during wall creation and allows the user to make changes during wall creation with the polyline tool (ie. changing wall height on specific wall segments that are in a drop down living room).
2.) Enabling user presets where all of the basic and advanced parameters for a wall are saved to a user defined preset that can be instantly recalled within both the wall draw and edit menus. For example, this would allow the user to quickly define and then recall a 2x6 ext. wall with a 1" air gap and brick cladding, rather than having to peruse through all of the settings every time and recreating the wheel just to put together a standard wall type.
Certain parameters would not be saved as part of a wall preset. I haven't nailed down exactly which of those parameter to exclude but my first shot at it would be:
- Wall Length
- Wall Group
- Wall Framing (2D, 3D etc...)
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I also really like the idea of having a user material library where you can just dump your pre-configured SKM files and the plugin then has the ability to pick and choose from these materials.
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Ok nevermind on #1, didn't realize that I had to "save settings" on each page of the global settings, thought I could make all my changes and save settings just once.
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Had an error running 2 45° bays, totally reproducible, happens every time.
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@alpro said:
Had an error running 2 45° bays, totally reproducible, happens every time.
Can you send me your model or at least the wall panel in question and the walls adjacent to this panel. I need to examine this further, and review my stud spacing algorithm especially how it is handling non-orthogonal walls.
My email is nathan@medeek.com
Don't erase this wall panel from your model, once I address the bug you can simply rebuild the wall with the updated plugin and will be resolved.
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