Medeek Wall Plugin

medeek · 1 Jul 2018, 04:10

Changing gears from exterior trim to gable walls you can see in the image below that a symmetric gable wall with equal wall heights and equal pitches is only the tip of the iceberg. In the example below the pitches are equal but the start and end wall heights differ by four feet. One could also have different roof pitches so the pitches may differ as well.

Theoretically one could draw a scenario like this with two "shed" wall panels butted up to each other except for the problem that the door would bisect this wall junction, hence it must be drawn as a single wall panel.

Also note the double stud placement at the pitch break. This may not be typical for all builders but I would recommend this more conservative approach rather than a single stud at the pitch break.

Looking at this wall segment it occurs to me that wall panels that connect to this panel at the corners or tee into it cannot be treated the same way rectangular wall panels connect with lapping top plates.

Again, things just got a little more interesting.

The most common (balloon framed) gable shapes are probably the following:

Shed (monopitch with different start and end wall heights)
Symmetric Gable (equal pitches and equal wall heights)
Non-symmetric Gable (equal/unequal pitches and equal/unequal wall heights)
Symmetric Gambrel (dual pitch equal and equal wall heights)
Hip (equal pitch, equal wall heights with a flat middle section)
Clerestory (equal/unequal pitches with equal/unequal wall heights with a kneel wall at pitch break)

Please feel free to add to this list. I believe the first three of this list are the highest priority.

medeek · 1 Jul 2018, 21:14

I'll start with the band board. The updated exterior trim menu now appears as so:

The band thru corner parameter causes the band board to cut through the corner trim boards and extend all the way to the corner (mitered).

The four additional parameters should be sufficient to fully define the band board. The band board trim thickness is the same as the corner trim, I'm assuming that typically you would want these various trim boards to all be the same thickness? If not then an additional parameter for the band board thickness is required.

By the time I add in all of the parameters for the frieze and water table the menu is going to get quite large, which can create problems for people working on laptops with small screens. My only option at that point is to remove some variables from the draw wall tool ext. trim menu (still available in the global settings and wall edit menu) or go to an HTMl menu.

medeek · 1 Jul 2018, 21:55

Its now been a little over a month since I released the initial BETA of the plugin:

Medeek Design Inc. - Medeek Wall Plugin Changelog

(design.medeek.com)

June has been a very active month, as documented by the changelog.

There is still a lot more to do and some small fires still exist so July should also be relatively busy month as well.

Wrapping up some loose ends and fixes are on the top of the list as is the gable wall module. Fortunately, a lot of code for this new module will be recycling of existing code but due to the complexity of gable walls it will probably take a couple weeks to really pull it all together.

From a marketing stand point I am a little concerned with the interest level in the plugin. I fully expect that the actual purchases of the plugin will still be low since it is still in a beta stage however I am surprised that more people are not at least downloading the plugin and trying it out. This is cause for some concern.

Any thoughts on lethargic response would be helpful. I am always open to changing direction or marketing strategies if common sense or certain factors dictate it.

I apologize if the plugin is "too deep" for some, my intent is not to overwhelm or even over complicate things. Unfortunately, buildings are complicated structures and as my previous post on exterior trim has shown even fully defining a sub-system within a structure can get a little crazy at times. To be perfectly honest, a couple months in and I've only really scratched the surface. The engineering and estimating and auto-layout modules are stilling waiting in the wings.

I don't think my pricing is too high or asking to much, but I realize it might still be a bit to bite off for some considering the current developmental state of the plugin. I guess what you have to realize is that you are not paying for two or three months of coding you are actually purchasing everything I've done up till now plus two more years of full time development. So I do think it will be good value for the money.

I also realize that the SketchUp community has a slightly different mentality than the rest of the design world. We are used to a lot of quality plugins and even the SU software coming at no cost or a greatly reduced cost when compared with other drafting/design software and tools out there. We are hesitant or unwilling to accept subscription type licenses (myself included). With all that being said perhaps a different business model would meld better with the SU design community. Any thoughts in this regard would be greatly appreciated, please send your comments directly to nathan@medeek.com .

medeek · 2 Jul 2018, 00:44

The ability to easily add in components into the library is kind of nice. After about an hour of work I added in the following Simpson column caps just to give it a go:

CCCQ6666
CCOQ6
CCQ66
CCTQ666
ECCLLQ666
ECCLRQ666
ECCQ66

It was as simple as dropping the files into the folder, no coding required.

View model here:

3D Warehouse

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

(3dwarehouse.sketchup.com)

The parametric ability to change the "hanger" at each end is vital when setting something up like this. Not saying you would actually build this but I've worked on some local designs with complex porches that easily rival this monstrosity.

I will roll these components into the hanger library on the next sub. revision, probably tomorrow.

P.S. I will also include the following caps and hangers:

CCOQ4, ECCOQ4
CCQ44, CCQ46, CCQ64, CCQ88
ECCQ44, ECCQ46, ECCQ64, ECCQ88
HUCQ410, HUCQ412, HUCQ610, HUCQ612

Bob James · 2 Jul 2018, 19:34

As amazing as this extension is I'm sure you understand that it can not (and probably should not) try to cover every possible design subtlety. Remembering the awesome number of options could become a deterrent to use by some. Inevitably, some of the detail will have to be added by the user. So I agree with Charlie_V with regard to presets.

I also agree that adding "beta" to the title would be a very useful "warning" to alert potential users to expect changes.

Many years ago I wrote a very large program to model the operational flow of work in our facility to arrive at a price to charge the customer. We provided support to the processing and testing of satellites prior to launch. It was a "masterpiece" that covered a massive amount of the detail needed to configure the support equipment, how much of the facility and support equipment would be used, the manpower required, the days/hours involved in each portion of the process, etc. It worked great until I started adding more and more options based on what the customer might need and the manpower and equipment required to respond to them. It ultimately failed to be used when even I could not be sure all the applicable values were accounted for. Once I reverted back to the basic (but still complex) model and separately dealt with the "one-off" mission unique variations, all was well again.

Your breaking down of some of the options into separate toolbars is a great idea and is a significant help in reducing the number of things that need to be remembered.

Personally, I don't mind the flow of revisions. I find it exciting to see and try them even though I will most likely never have occasion to use them. I still think it would be easier for me to manage them if you added the revision number to the rbz file (e.g., medeek_wall_ext 0-8-1c.rbz).

medeek · 3 Jul 2018, 02:46

@bob james said:

I'm sure you understand that it can not (and probably should not) try to cover every possible design subtlety.

I fully understand what you are saying and I am trying to allow enough flexibility with the parameters to handle 90% of the design possibilities and then leave that other 10% alone otherwise the plugin does become too complex and cumbersome.

A good example is the recent freize/band/skirt board discussion. To handle these three items involves at least 15 more parameters be added to the exterior trim menu. However, I sense, from my private discussions with quite a few designers, that most everyone wants these features added. In order to simplify things a bit the drip cap over the skirt board will probably be modeled as a rectangular profile, however more accurately it should be a sloping profile, with a flashing. There are also some other things I can do to help simplify things with the global settings and menus themselves.

Then there is the further complication of band borders that move up and down on the wall (zig-zag), I'm not even going to attempt coding something like this.

What you probably don't see is the number of daily requests I receive for various features that I ended up having to toss out or at least shelve until enough demand increases that I deem that particular request has some serious merit. Of course, some requests make perfect sense right off the bat, and those I try to implement as quickly as possible, or at least get put on the list for future consideration.

For instance someone requested that I add more Mitek/USP hardware to the plugin. I have no problem with that but until specific part numbers are requested I will probably assign this request to a lower spot on the todo list.

Where to draw the line on what level of detail or item gets added and what does not is a tricky process in my opinion. To much unnecessary detail and the designer/user will become overwhelmed and will view the plugin as cumbersome and clunky. To little flexibility and void of features, and the user will not be able to execute their design quickly without having to do too much manual editing.

The whole point of the plugin is to hopefully eliminate most if not all of this manual editing, at least that is my goal, realistic or not.

medeek · 3 Jul 2018, 05:41

Version 0.8.3 - 07.02.2018

Added a band board option to the exterior trim module.
The "band thru corner" option allows the band board to cut through the corner trim.

Charlie__V · 3 Jul 2018, 10:32

Edit #2 Typo fixed (dang autocorrect)

@unknownuser said:

Any thoughts on lethargic response would be helpful. I am always open to changing direction or marketing strategies if common sense or certain factors dictate it.

Perhaps the thread title should have the word Beta in it, since it is after all, and that may provide some clarity for those confused by the pay options when they go to download. (Many are simply lazy, and will not read even a few sentences of text.)

Also, while I happen to think it is great you roll out updates rapidly, for those that struggle installing plug-ins this would be problematic as far as adopting to newer releases.......and they may simply quit trying.

@unknownuser said:

I apologize if the plugin is "too deep" for some, my intent is not to overwhelm or even over complicate things.

I think all of the flexibility you provide is great, but as I have mentioned before, the more you can leave to pre-set or pre-configured wall types/etc. the less “open hood wrenching” up front the better.
IE:
A Pre-configured 2x4 wall w/treated bottom plate-double top plate -7/16” OSB sheathing horiz blocking mid span-fiberglass insulation-Tyvek-J-Hardi horiz siding-5.5” outside corners-1.5” inside corners-12” band bd-1/2” int. gypsum.

All the above information in a pre set library item for walls, with a drop down.
Above wall could be named: Ext. 2x4 Horiz. Side W/Band.

And/Or the pre sets for walls or trim profiles (bands/casings/etc.) could be handled in global settings and or file specific global settings. (Global capital G effects all future drawings/files......global lower case effects the current drawing/file)

I have no idea if what i suggest can be accomplished with your plug in but I do think it would drastically reduce the user input and number of clicks to initiate drawing quickly and efficiently.

C

medeek · 3 Jul 2018, 18:01

Just to follow up on the recent beam hardware library addition, here is a collection of the current selection of hangers, post caps and beam seats:

3D Warehouse

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

(3dwarehouse.sketchup.com)

medeek · 3 Jul 2018, 19:23

I've been thinking about moving to an SKM based user library for material selection and assignment. The only problem I see with this is that it would require SketchUp 2017 or newer so it would effectively end my compatibility with older versions of SU.

medeek · 4 Jul 2018, 05:19

Version 0.8.3b - 07.03.2018

Fixed a bug with the wall edit menu so that it loads default global settings for advanced wall options as required.

Note that the band board can also be combined with wainscoting:

The current todo list in no particular order, some of these are small items and some are much bigger and probably have many sub items:

Ext. Trim Frieze Board with options
Ext. Trim Skirt Board with drip cap and options
SKM Material Library (I've already started working on this or at least investigating further, implementing this would restrict plugin compatibility to 2017 and greater)
Wall Dropper Utility (quickly transfer settings between wall panels)
Interior painting for gypsum
Grille top and bottom for SH windows
Interior Trim (baseboard, chair rail, crown molding)
Garage Doors
Int-int wall door casing
Gypsum wrap for interior openings that do not have window or doors installed
Wall Split Tool
Wall Join Tool
Gable Walls (Shed, Gambrel, Symmetric Gable etc...)
Wall Grouping
Bug with stud placement where outside corners that are less than 90 deg.
Estimating Module
Engineering Module
Add more window and door configurations (2 panel, 4 panel, casement etc...)
Add more hardware for beams (hangers, beam seats, post caps)
Add in the full line of Simpson Strong Wall Panel Sizes (currently only the 24" panels are available in the plugin).

Charlie__V · 4 Jul 2018, 11:59

@bob james said:

I still think it would be easier for me to manage them if you added the revision number to the rbz file (e.g., medeek_wall_ext 0-8-1c.rbz)

I have been renaming them myself w/version number & date as Nathaniel posts them.
Doesn’t adversely affect them in any way as I am sure you know. (.rbz is just a “container”)

Charlie

Charlie__V · 4 Jul 2018, 12:06

@medeek said:

The current to do list in no particular order

I know you didn’t ask.....my short list (1&2 same priority)

(1) Eye dropper tool and or a way to repeat a wall edit (group selection edit?)
(2) Gable wall (symmetrical to start)
(3) Overhead garage doors

Charlie

Bob James · 4 Jul 2018, 15:36

@charlie__v said:

@bob james said:

I still think it would be easier for me to manage them if you added the revision number to the rbz file (e.g., medeek_wall_ext 0-8-1c.rbz)

I have been renaming them myself w/version number & date as Nathaniel posts them.
Doesn’t adversely affect them in any way as I am sure you know. (.rbz is just a “container”)

Charlie

So have I. Just thought it would be useful if they were that way from the beginning

medeek · 4 Jul 2018, 18:20

@bob james said:

@charlie__v said:

@bob james said:

I still think it would be easier for me to manage them if you added the revision number to the rbz file (e.g., medeek_wall_ext 0-8-1c.rbz)

I have been renaming them myself w/version number & date as Nathaniel posts them.
Doesn’t adversely affect them in any way as I am sure you know. (.rbz is just a “container”)

Charlie

So have I. Just thought it would be useful if they were that way from the beginning

I was about to make the switch then I realized that it would break the way I am linking to the rbz file from within the Account Manager on the website.

I've got to first change the way I'm linking to the file before I can change this up.

medeek · 4 Jul 2018, 19:37

Version 0.8.3c - 07.04.2018

Release date and sub. revision numbers are now correctly reported in the global settings license tab.

medeek · 4 Jul 2018, 22:28

I'm a bit of a perfectionist, which I will readily admit can be my undoing sometimes.

The LVL edge texture was really bugging me so I created a slightly better one:

An 14" deep LVL 3-Ply beam with an HUCQ612 hanger.

medeek · 5 Jul 2018, 02:06

Preview of the updated Trim tab of the global settings. I've organized it a little better into vertical and horizontal elements for the exterior trim:

I've also added the missing Wainscot Cut parameter and the new parameters for the Frieze and Skirt boards (with drip cap).

medeek · 5 Jul 2018, 09:37

Frieze, Band and Skirt boards:

In this instance the skirt board is thru the corner, also notice the drip cap has been enabled for the skirt board.

All three of these horizontal trim elements can also be combined with the ext. wainscoting.

There is still some fine tuning I need to do with regards to how these horizontal elements terminate at window and door openings when trim is wrapping these elements, I will be looking at this tomorrow.

Charlie__V · 5 Jul 2018, 12:40

Request:
I know current window module is just for generic representation......but if possible.....could an option to specify number of units be implemented?

Medeek Wall.....Draw Window........Picture.....Number of Units (4)
I realize dividing a picture unit into 4 units negates the picture aspect....but just for demonstration purposes that is what I did. (& I edited unit text too)

See image below