3D Truss Models

medeek

Trusses are now created as components with each individual member of the truss a group. Arrays of trusses are multiple instances of the same component.

I think this plugin may actually have some potential now.

A couple more screenshots for fun. A well designed truss is a beautiful thing to behold:

I really appreciate everyone's feedback, this has helped guide me in the right direction on all of this and improved my understanding of SketchUp immensely.

jemagnussen

Hi Medeek,

Super plugin, just bought it...

Would you consider a metric version in the near future? It would be very helpfull to the "metric world" of designers.

Best regards
Jesper

juju

@jemagnussen said:

Would you consider a metric version in the near future? It would be very helpfull to the "metric world" of designers.
Jesper

yes please! also the pitch of the truss in degrees instead of the x-in-12 system.

medeek

@jemagnussen said:

Hi Medeek,

Super plugin, just bought it...

Would you consider a metric version in the near future? It would be very helpfull to the "metric world" of designers.

Best regards
Jesper

I don't think a metric version would be too hard to create. It would be cool if I could somehow have a configuration file of sorts so that imperial or metric could be semi-permanent setting that can be switched within SketchUp. Not really sure how to do this within the API but I will add that to the todo list.

I'm assuming the units of interest would be millimeters, correct me if I'm wrong. I think I will also open up the pitch variable so any pitch can be chosen instead of limiting it. I would also like have it in the settings where someone can manage the default values and choose between degrees or x/12 for the pitch.

I'm not really familiar with the metric lumber sizes. Would you want the variable completely open or limited to certain metric standard sizes?

juju

can it not reference the sketchup session to see which units are being used and then use that?

jemagnussen

Hi again,

JuJu's proposal of using the units being used by Sketchup would be the most intuitive. For using standard sizes I would imagine that an open approach would suit most users.

Best regards
Jesper

medeek

It's kind of funny how everyone else in the world is metric yet the USA is still using the old English units.

medeek

Howe truss type is now active.

The latest plugin version is 1.0.4. I would highly recommend downloading the latest version since I have also spent some time this morning cleaning up my code and removing global methods and variables so that I don't clash with other extensions or modules.

medeek

Monopitch trusses are also now live:

Currently the 2/2 and 3/3 configurations are available, more of this truss family will be added after I address the metric issue and a few of the other requested items.

juju

thanks for the active development, looking forward to the metric version

juju

If I may list a request, the way your tool currently works seems fine, but it could be more helpful (faster modeling) if one had the option of indicating the area of the trusses (with it auto-calculating the truss centers, with a maximum parameter setting) much in the same way tomot's truss tool does it.

*** EDIT ***

and maybe a quick launch icon that one can locate on the toolbar?

medeek

Currently I am dumping the trusses at the origin (0,0,0) since that seemed like the most natural thing to do but I can see where a more intuitive placement system makes more sense and would eliminate the additional steps needed to move the array of trusses into place and possibly rotating them.

I like the idea of selecting a rectangle which auto-sizes and orients the trusses.

Adding a quick launch icon should not be too much trouble either.

pbacot

You're on fire! Good work.

medeek

I've added a toolbar/icon which admittedly is more convenient than having to open up the extensions menu item.

I'm not entirely sure I'm happy with the icon set I've created but it is really hard to make much of a 24x24 or 16x16 square.

medeek

I'm looking at adding in scissor trusses. Below is a matrix of common scissor truss configurations. Once they get much larger than a 6/6 I think they probably go to site assembled half trusses, I'm not entirely sure since I don't have any drawings or diagrams of anything larger than a 6/6.

medeek

For the common truss types I've configured the plugin to detect the SketchUp template units and display a metric UI. I've also replaced the x/12 system with degrees for the metric interface. All member sizes and other dimensions are open for the metric interface as well.

Go ahead and give it a whirl, if it checks out then I will go ahead and update the attic and monopitch UI with the metric option.

juju

Hi Nathaniel, wow, I'm loving the progress and response time.

Icons: they seem easily recognizable enough, they should do fine
Truss configurations: excellent news! this plugin is getting better by the day
Unit: so the metric is implemented and live? Seems like I'll be parting with some money soon, even though I bought tomot's tool previously, the way this is developing (and the options offered by it) I'll definitely be interested in getting the paid tool instead of the trial version.

thanks!

juju

@juju said:

Seems like I'll be parting with some money soon...

say hello to order #13, thanks.

medeek

@juju said:

@juju said:

Seems like I'll be parting with some money soon...

say hello to order #13, thanks.

Wow. South Africa. Now I can say my customer base is worldwide. Thank-you for the support.

Hopefully the plugin does not disappoint.

There are so many things one can do with this it is almost overwhelming.

I was looking at gable end trusses last night and beyond the typical gable end truss you would have the option for a dropped top chord as well as structural gable end trusses.

Then there is all the variants and configurations associated with hip roofs that need attention (ie. California Style Hip Set.).

Send in the requests and I'll work on them as time allows.

juju

@studio43 said:

I looked for the download button to get the latest version. All I can see is an option to "trial" and "Buy". Do I have to purchase the most up to date version after I already bought ver 1.0?

Interesting question, I'd be interested to know how long upgrades will be available for as well. However, in order to buy the plugin you have to register a user account on the site, from there you can access the product (-s) you've purchased, so my guess will be that updates will be accessed/downloaded from there.