3D Truss Models
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Version 3.6.4b - 03.15.2025
- Enabled subtractive geometry for all TJI and Glulam Beam rafter roofs.
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Version 3.6.5 - 03.16.2025
- Added energy/raised heels for coffer trusses (3 variants: wedge, slider and vertical w/ strut).
- Enabled a feature to selectively remove specific trusses from coffer truss assemblies.
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Version 3.6.6 - 03.21.2025
- Added the option to specify a separate front and back gable overhang length for all truss types.
- Augmented the web generation algorithm for coffer trusses with deep coffer ceilings.
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Version 3.6.7 - 04.06.2025
- Added collar ties for symmetric and asymmetric gable rafter roofs.
- Fixed a bug with gable wall cladding for all truss types.
Note that the height of the collar tie is measured from the bottom of the ridge board. A zero height puts the collar tie against the bottom of the ridge board.
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Version 3.6.8 - 04.07.2025
- Enabled square cut top chord tails for the following truss types: common, attic, scissor and cathedral.
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Tutorial 32: Square Cut Truss Tails (7:43 min.)
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At the behest of some users who use this plugin for large agricultural buildings, I will be adding at couple more options for large trusses. Specifically a “Quad Howe” and a “Penta Howe” common truss option. The “Penta Howe” truss is suitable for trusses that measure up to 100’ in span (or greater). I had a little fun with this :slight_smile:
The barn I show with the tractor has a 92’ span truss with a 36" raised heel. Top and bottom chords are 2x8 with 2x6 webs. The trusses are double ply (3" width) and spaced at 4’ on center.
After I modeled this, I thought, what could a guy do with a garage like this? Okay, realistically I don’t need an aircraft hanger for a garage, but 36’x36’ sure would be nice.
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Version 3.6.9 - 04.10.2025
- Enabled options for wood grain texture for lumber in the global settings.
- Enabled wood grain texture for common and scissor trusses.
- Added a Quad Howe and Penta Howe option for common trusses.
- Fixed a minor bug with 4/2 scissor trusses with raised heels.
- Fixed a minor bug with the bottom chord of certain common trusses.
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Version 3.7.0 - 04.13.2025
- Enabled wood grain texture for the following truss types: attic, symmetric cathedral, cathedral, cambered, tail bearing, coffer, tray, and parallel chord.
- Added the following Parallel Chord truss type: 10/10.
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Version 3.7.1 - 04.18.2025
- Enabled wood grain texture for the following truss types: flat.
- Added metal plates for all attic trusses.
- Added an attic furring option for attic trusses.
- Fixed a minor bug in the gable cut option for attic trusses.
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Version 3.7.2 - 04.22.2025
- Enabled wood grain texture for the following truss types: gambrel attic, monopitch, monocathedral, monoscissor, polynesian, dual pitch, bowstring, bow barrel.
- Enabled wood grain texture for the following rafter roof types: gable, gable w/ glulam.
- Added the follow Monopitch truss type configuration: (4/4).
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Version 3.7.3 - 07.19.2025
- Enabled square cut rafter tails for gable rafter roofs.
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Version 3.7.5 - 01.03.2026
- Enabled hurricane ties for all remaining common trusses.
- Enabled hurricane ties for scissor, cathedral, polynesian and dual pitch trusses.
- Fixed a (metric) bug for the inset parameter for hurricane ties.
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Version 3.7.6 - 01.07.2026
- Added an offset parameter for coffer trusses (non-raised heel only).
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Version 3.7.8 - 03.24.2026
- Created the Medeek Truss API.
- Enabled the following methods within the Medeek Truss API: common_truss_draw, validate_medeektruss, truss_regen, common_truss_read_attributes, common_truss_get_attribute, common_truss_set_attribute
- Added the Medeek Truss API Documentation page to the website.
- Added the Medeek Truss API - Common Truss Attribute Library Index page to the website.
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Version 3.7.9 - 03.27.2026
- Enabled the following methods within the Medeek Truss API: scissor_truss_draw.
- Consolidated the API code so that it is lightweight on extension load.
- Renamed the following API methods: common_truss_read_attributes, common_truss_get_attribute, common_truss_set_attribute, to the more correct general names: truss_read_attributes, truss_get_attribute, truss_set_attribute.
As one can see each truss family typically has a unique set of parameters so each will require a separate "draw" method as well as a documented attribute library index. Only about 18 more truss families to go...
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Version 3.8.0 - 03.29.2026
- Enabled the following methods within the Medeek Truss API: attic_truss_draw, cathedral_truss_draw.
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I've had a couple requests in the last week that I finish the Complex Truss module. The last time I worked in earnest on the complex roof module was about four years ago now. At that time my attempts to come up with a successful algorithm for laying out the trusses were not successful.
I thought I might revisit the topic again today with the additional interest shown. However after giving this some thought and creating some various tests I'm still not sure how to do it. Additionally even if I did create an algorithm it would need to be able to handle some interesting cases and do a number of checks.
Case in point look at the roof below, manually framed with simplified truss place holders. I've provided the rafter framing for comparison (automatically produced by the complex rafter module). This would be your typical complex roof, lots of roof planes and no apparent good method to truss it out. My problem is the red colored truss, it is too shallow in a couple spots.
I guess what I'm saying is that even if I create an algorithm which can get one to this point, I still don't even know if it is correct or will work. I would love to gather some feedback and thoughts on how to frame this out with trusses from those who are working or have worked in the industry.
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Here is another example, a much simpler L-shaped footprint with one main girder and three hip girders:
Even this roof has a suspect truss (shaded red), that I am uncertain about. Arguably this one is so simple one could truncate the smaller hip set and then run a valley set up onto the main roof (hip set). However without any overframing I think this is what you end up with. The irregular trusses are shaded in purple and have had their webbing removed.
If anyone has some truss layout plans (PDF) for complex roofs that they would not mind sharing with me that would be very much appreciated. I am specifically looking for a full set, ie. the truss layout and then the shop plans that show each truss profile. I need to study this further.
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