3D Truss Models
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Per user request:
Version 1.5.2 - 04.18.2016
- Added energy/raised heels for small span attic trusses (less than 24 ft.), 1 variant: vertical w/ strut.
- Added some additional logic to improve the triangulation of the upper attic of attic trusses.
When I get some more time I will add in slider and wedge raised heel options for the attic truss type but at that moment it is low priority since most users seem to favor a fairly tall raised heel when utilizing it with attic trusses.
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I have been giving some thought to dormers and how to specify them. Below is a dormer design I framed in Solidworks a few years back for a garage design:
Of course the numerous ways in which one could frame a dormer is probably beyond the scope of this discussion but I would like to consider what geometry needs to be determined in order to orient and size the dormer.
After some thought I think the following points, planes and lengths would define the geometry of a typical dormer:
1.) Main Roof Plane
2.) Attic Floor Plane
3.) Offset from exterior wall below (how far the dormer is out of plane from the ext. wall below).
4.) Pitch of Dormer roof
5.) Dormer width
6.) Dormer height (distance from attic floor plane to top plate of dormer wall)
7.) Window width, height, and header depth
8.) Dormer wall thickness (2x4 or 2x6)
9.) Dormer rafter depth
10.) Position of Dormer along length of buildingItems 2,3 and 10 can be combined into a single point selection.
Revisiting this I think the location of the dormer can be established with the selection of two points and a plane (main roof plane), the rest of the parameters will be UI.
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Version 1.5.3 - 04.20.2016
- Added Mono Cathedral truss type, configurations: (2/2, 4/4).
- Metric input enabled for mono cathedral truss type.
- Added gable end trusses for mono cathedral truss type.
- Structural outlookers (vert. & horz.) enabled under advanced roof options for Mono Cathedral (2/2, 4/4) truss types.
- Added Mono Scissor truss type, configuration: (4/4).
View model here:
3D Warehouse
3D Warehouse is a website of searchable, pre-made 3D models that works seamlessly with SketchUp.
(3dwarehouse.sketchup.com)
I manually modeled this truss type about two months ago and I have been meaning to add it in, finally got it done tonight.
Manually created model here:
3D Warehouse
3D Warehouse is a website of searchable, pre-made 3D models that works seamlessly with SketchUp.
(3dwarehouse.sketchup.com)
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The plugin is in such a state of flux it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to invest a lot of time into the manual until things stabilize a bit more. The section I originally wrote now needs a complete rewrite.
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Version 1.5.4 - 04.21.2016
- Added a graphical user interface (GUI) for the selection of the truss type in the "Draw Roof Truss" sub-menu.
- GUI can be toggled with previous drop down menu within global settings.
As you can see there is only one global setting at the moment but now that I have the interface and back end properly setup it won't take much to add in a number of other global values. At some point I will probably have enough parameters that I will need to enable some sort of tabbed html front end for the global setting menu.
With html web dialog boxes I am not sure how well they work on a Mac, the whole sync vs. async issue is a real problem for web dialogs and Macs. I only test on a PC so I can't guarantee 100% compatibility on a Mac. So far I haven't had too many complaints.
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I will probably add in the Barrel Vault and Clerestory truss types sometime next week as time allows however after that I don't really have any specific truss types that need to be added unless someone has one they would like to see added. I guess I'm starting to run out of trusses... never thought I would see that day.
The next area that will probably get some focus is the various hip truss sets. I'm also looking at the dormer module as and a related plugin for wall framing.
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Here is a preview of the Geometry Input (GUI) menu for the upcoming gambrel attic truss.
Notice the preview pane which gives a basic profile of the truss and attic space. I still need to add some dimensions and some other symbols (pitch, bearing walls, etc...) to the preview graphics but it is mostly there and functioning quite admirably.
The GUI is html with javascript and SVG (scalable vector graphics) for the image. The nice thing is that changing any of the inputs will instantly update the dimensions and preview image allowing one to fine tune the truss geometry before proceeding further. For gambrel roofs this ability to adjust the proportions of the roof relative to each other is very important in my opinion. See my previous gambrel study here:
Medeek Design Inc. - Gambrel Roof Study
Medeek Design Inc. - Free House, Garage, Shop and Barn Plans - Gambrel Roof Study
(design.medeek.com)
Since the menu is primarily composed of html, javascript and SVG you can actually beta test it external to SketchUp here:
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Updated screenshot of the gambrel attic menu:
This is getting pretty close to the final form that this menu will take.
It's actually really amazing what can be done with SVG and javascript, definitely not my forte but after this exercise I feel like I can probably construct anything with this combo if required.
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Medeek,
Menu works fine.Do you have a "reset" to return to original values?
The "Max Truss Height" I assume is the red dashed line in the diagram.
To add clarity would a small red dash line after the menu text help?Seems you are enjoying yourself, keep up the good work.
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With the graphical menus you will notice a slight delay once the "submit" button is clicked. This is to allow for a quick display of a status message, however I'm finding this delay to be annoying and may eliminate it altogether to speed the use of the new GUI.
Also note that with gambrel attic trusses the non-graphical geometry menu is still an option if you turn off the GUI flag in the global settings. For some people this may be easier but I think the new preview pane is a major design asset when it comes to this type of roof.
I'm thinking it might be useful to implement this same type of preview/GUI for regular attic trusses so that one can preview the configuration before committing. Now that I've been down this road once it won't be such a struggle. Most of the other truss types are fairly simple and a preview image is probably not warranted unless the users say otherwise.
I feel that the preview window goes a long way in helping explain what each term is in the input geometry menu but I may also add in some pop up windows (?) that display diagrams or other explanatory notes to help the less educated users.
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Version 1.5.5 - 04.29.2016
- Added Gambrel Attic truss type, configurations: (AUTO w/ piggyback trusses).
- Added a graphical user interface (GUI) for gambrel attic geometry input.
A reset button would be useful to return the GUI to the default values. There is still a lot of work to be done with the gambrel attic truss type:
- Advanced Options
- Gable Trusses
- Default or Reset Button
- Metric Input
View models here:
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)
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This is the level of detail I am aiming for with the advanced options for gambrel attic roofs (minus the truss plates):
Notice the structural outlookers with gable end trusses and the prow roof (option). I've got my work cut out for me.
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The updated truss yard:
Sixteen different truss profiles currently available within the Medeek Truss Plugin:
- Common
- Monopitch
- Attic
- Scissor
- Tail Bearing
- Dual Pitch
- Bowstring
- Bow Barrel
- Polynesian
- Cambered
- Cathedral
- Tray
- Mono Scissor
- Mono Cathedral
- Gambrel Attic
- Floor (System 42)
View model here:
3D Warehouse
3D Warehouse is a website of searchable, pre-made 3D models that works seamlessly with SketchUp.
(3dwarehouse.sketchup.com)
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I am wondering how many of your designers/architects/contractors/builders out there have used Open Joist products?
TRIFORCE® Open Joist: Peace of Mind Underfoot
The TRIFORCE® open joist is a state-of-the-art product in the forefront of the construction industry.
TRIFORCE® Open Joist (www.openjoisttriforce.com)
I was thinking I might add their product line to the Floor Joist/Truss module.
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Version 1.5.6 - 05.11.2016
- The plugin now automatically checks for updates.
- Option added in Global Settings to adjust frequency of "check for updates" or to disable this feature entirely.
I've also added in the Open Joist (TriForce) floor truss but it is not quite ready for release so I have disabled it until the next version release.
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Hi again medeek,
I haven't used open joist yet but I will.
The only problem I see with it is that it's idea is very interesting but I think fire regulations don't allow for it to be visible.
I might be wrong in some cases though, so I'm waiting for them to show up in front of me.
Keep up your excellent work!
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@jql said:
Hi again medeek,
The only problem I see with it is that it's idea is very interesting but I think fire regulations don't allow for it to be visible.According to recent research Open Joist trusses seem to perform better in fires than both I-Joists and MPC wood floor trusses. However, there is plenty of debate on the matter.
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I'm recently dealing with a lot of heritage buildings where wood is used (I haven't found any truss similar to the ones in your impressive set yet though) and what our consultants do, so we can build with visible wood on new structures, is to over dimension them. However with such thin profiles I bet this can't be achieved.
Do you have any take on that?
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