3D Truss Models
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Version 1.9.2 - 06.24.2017
- Added Stepdown hip set trusses.
- Enabled advanced options for stepdown hip sets.
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Using the stepdown truss set as a primitive it is possible to generate some fairly complex roofs:
In this case I created two hip sets and then tied them together with a valley set. View model here:
3D Warehouse
3D Warehouse is a website of searchable, pre-made 3D models that works seamlessly with SketchUp.
(3dwarehouse.sketchup.com)
This one way to do it but the more typical way would be to further customize the larger hip set so as to eliminate the valley set entirely.
Interesting how the larger girder truss ties into the smaller girder truss (3 ply). The smaller girder truss would need to be beefed up to handle this point load if there is no bearing wall below, and then the point loads from the posts supporting the girder truss (in wall) would probably need spread footings.
A few seconds to create the basic geometry and then about 10 minutes of trimming (with the trim function) and manual adjustments. I can see that the truncated hip set feature would be nice to have where hip roofs are tying into other roofs, similar to what I have enabled for the gable truss tool.
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In my neck of the woods we don't use valley sets - where one roof covers the main truss set it is usually stick-framed (usually 2x4's and 2x6's) with what we call 'California Fill' that bears on the main set. PM me if you'd like to see a typical detail.
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I've seen them done this way up here in Washington but probably not as often.
I haven't shown the vertical studs and their pads only the sleepers, rafters and ridgeboard are shown, view model here:
3D Warehouse
3D Warehouse is a website of searchable, pre-made 3D models that works seamlessly with SketchUp.
(3dwarehouse.sketchup.com)
Where the Fill connects back to the other roof do I have that correct? Do you install another rafter against the truss?
Notice that I did not bevel the 2x12 sleeper, just shifted it so that if lines up correctly with the roof plane, of course if this is mounted on top of the sheathing then the position will change accordingly.
Those double bevel cuts on the rafters would scare me, but then again I'm no carpenter.
Funny how everything has a "California" in front of it:
- California Corner (Ext. Wall Corner) http://design.medeek.com/resources/framing/FRAMING_CORNERS.pdf
- California Fill
- California Hip Set https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/97644895-c988-435c-bdc4-c7b8956a6d46/California-Hip-Set-Rev-2
I guess the Californians are innovators.
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That's pretty much how it's done down here, and with the detail I sent you it sounds like what you've seen and what we do are pretty close. I would agree, too, that the 2x sleepers rarely have the edge beveled to be in-plane - it takes too much time for the framers to figure the correct cut.
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I was working on the hip sets last summer before my neck injury took me out so I'm glad to finally get back to it and at least get one variant knocked out.
I probably should have gotten on to it in January but I was still not feeling 100% so I been only tackling the easy stuff and chipping at those one by one.
I still have all the other variants to complete as well as raised heels, then the plates.
Timber trusses with bolted connector plates is on my hot list as is completion of the attic and gambrel attic trusses.
My full todo list for the plugin is at least two pages of hand written notes so there is plenty more to do.
The holy grail would be to have the plugin convert any complex roof outline (face) into a full truss or rafter roof without any manual editing, that is my target.
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Added energy/raised heels for stepdown hip set (3 variants: wedge, slider and vertical w/ strut).
View model here:
3D Warehouse
3D Warehouse is a website of searchable, pre-made 3D models that works seamlessly with SketchUp.
(3dwarehouse.sketchup.com)
Now the possibilities are limitless since you can match the heel height of any other roof (ie. rafter, TJI etc...)
Adding in this feature was not as bad I thought it would be but each truss type in the set must be considered and dealt with separately:
- Common Trusses
- Hip Trusses
- End Jacks
- Hip Jacks
- Corner Jacks
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I am wondering if any one has some shop drawings for a truss roof like the one below:
I am trying to understand how the trusses are configured where the two roof lines meet at the interior corner.
I'm also looking for a full set of shop drawings for a California Hip Set, I'm seeing a few variations with this hip set I'm trying to determine the most typical way they are put together.
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For those not familiar with truss hip sets, here is a primer:
6" raised heel with open end jacks and a drop-in purlin frame.
I've also added in the option for open or closed end jacks (sub release "d").
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Version 1.9.3 - 06.25.2017
- Added Terminal hip set trusses.
- Enabled advanced options for terminal hip sets.
- Added energy/raised heels for terminal hip set (3 variants: wedge, slider and vertical w/ strut).
- Added the option for open vs. closed end jack and single and double ply girders
View model here:
3D Warehouse
3D Warehouse is a website of searchable, pre-made 3D models that works seamlessly with SketchUp.
(3dwarehouse.sketchup.com)
This style of hip set is typically used for spans less than 20 ft.
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Here is a model of the L-shaped hip roof I am in question about:
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've been following my ratings for the plugin in the PluginStore for a while now and I've now reached 30 ratings, however my rating level is progressively getting worse 3.2 -> 3.1, I've been adding more features and improving others but the rating level is gradually falling. What am I doing wrong?
I admit that a comprehensive manual would be a useful companion to the plugin, so perhaps that is where I'm dropping the ball.
Tonight I'll probably put together another tutorial video explaining the new hip truss tool and its features.
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I think my love of trusses sometimes blinds me to the fact that most people don't really care to model the details of their roof. With that being said I don't think my time was wasted since I have learned an immense amount about programming a SketchUp Plugin and manipulating the API. However, I think it is now time to give the Truss Plugin a rest and focus my efforts on projects that will give me a better return for my investment. I'm not sure what exactly those projects are yet but I'm working on it.
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@medeek said:
I've been following my ratings for the plugin in the PluginStore for a while now and I've now reached 30 ratings, however my rating level is progressively getting worse 3.2 -> 3.1, I've been adding more features and improving others but the rating level is gradually falling. What am I doing wrong?
I admit that a comprehensive manual would be a useful companion to the plugin, so perhaps that is where I'm dropping the ball.
Tonight I'll probably put together another tutorial video explaining the new hip truss tool and its features.
The manual would be a useful addition. I think the most commonly used trusses configurations have been covered, users can always contact you / request additional functionality as it comes up.
Are all features available and consistent across all truss types? If not that is probably one thing that may need to be addressed for the time being before the extension's development "takes a rest".
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Duplicate post.
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The one unfinished item that is still gnawing at me is the whole straight-skeleton algorithm. It's not going to leave me alone until I solve it, so maybe I will have to work on this some more, even if for purely academic reasons.
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After staring at this image for almost 3 hours I think I've devised the straight skeleton algorithm:
It goes something like this:
1.) The user selects a pre-drawn face.
2.) Examine each vertex of the polygon and determine if it is an outside or inside corner based on the angle between the lines on each side of the vertex. Inside corners are always valleys, outside corners are always hips.
3.) Assign a vector from each point extending inward based on the lines on each side of the vertex. The vector direction will always be the same direction as the vector sum of adjacent lines to the vertex.
4.) Create a new array of points moving along the vectors some set increment, there will initially be the same number of points in the new array as the number of vertices in the polygon.
5.) With the new array check for two conditions:
a.) Hip meets hip: Check the distance between points in the array that belong to a hip line, if they are close then use the intersection of the two line to establish the beginning of a ridge.
b.) Saddle Condition: Check valleys with vectors that are negative of each other, there is a possibility that a saddle condition may exist, the details of how to do this are a bit complicated but with orthogonal roofs only 4 saddle condition orientations are possible.
6.) If hip meets hip then create a new ridge vector from ridge point 1 from step 5a. The vector direction will be in the same direction as the vector sum of the two hips. Move a point along the vector incrementally checking against the new array of points until the ridge point is close to one of these other points. The intersect of the ridge line and the valley or hip line will form the 2nd ridge point.
7.) If the intersecting point is on a hip (2 hips) then the ridge is terminal. If the intersecting point is on (2) two valleys then the ridge is again terminal. If the intersecting point is on a single valley then a new vector is created at the 2nd ridge point with the direction 90 degrees from the valley vector, this new vector forms a new hip or flying hip and is added to the new array of points.
8.) In the case of a saddle condition the ridge is non-terminal at both ends. Flying hips will extend from both ridge end points at 90 degrees from each valley.
9.) Repeat steps 4 thru 8 until all points are exhausted from array.What was missing from my original algorithm was the identification of the saddle condition. It took a visual cue (the zigzag nature of the typical saddle) for me to realize that the saddle condition followed a specific pattern and could be easily quantified and a relatively simple check devised.
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Go Medeek
I am currently backer #2 to date and proud to support Medeek given his:
- Engineering experience
- Energy and enthusiasm
- Spirit of never say "die"
Medeek will not let down his supporters and I wish him "Good luck" with his Kickstarter.
It is "value for money" to SketchUcation users and others who pledge if the target is reached.
(for Kickstarter link refer to Medeek posting above by medeek » Fri Jun 30, 2017 6:00 am) -
Here we go again:
After a dismal turnout for the original truss plugin campaign I never thought I would consider another kickstarter campaign. However, I have recently been contacted by various companies/organizations seeing if I could further develop the plugins so they could use them on a almost daily basis. Based on these conversations I can see there is a real need for this type of modeling and the momentum appears to be picking up.
Another critical piece is my own level of knowledge and skill set with the SketchUp API. After spending the last two years working through the truss plugin I feel that I've finally reached a point on the learning curve where I am able to bring a lot to bear and ultimately push the development to a critical mass.
My limiting factor now is only my time and in order to devote more time to the project I need some backing.
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Added my (continued) support to your Kickstarter campaign!
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