3D Truss Models

medeek

Progress is slow but steady:

Now I just need to add the bolts to the peak and heal plates...

Full on calcs would be nice too, but I'm just getting ambitious again.

glro

@medeek said:

Talking with some other users about the timber truss module I think it may be useful if the module could generate a separate detail with dimensions etc... for each plate.

I don't know how to do this in layout so I will probably use SVG and html.

That is quite a niche use, probably a "pro version" or "engineering version" item?

what is the niche use?

is it the engineering version?
or is it the hobby version?

hobbyist don't make money with sketchup
so hobbyist won't pay for the extension

maybe the engineering version is the one that could bring to the developper the resources needed to developp the extension

possible to create a scene for each plate and add dimensions directly in sketchup

just ideas ...

facer

Medeek Const Library - Kickstarter Status at: 5 Aug
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/128644708/medeek-construction-plugin-library
All or nothing. This project will only be funded if it reaches its goal by Tue, August 29 2017

Meedeek Kickstarter - update 07 - 06 aug.JPG

juju

At glro: you're new to the extension, else you would know that there is no free version, except maybe the trial, so the developer would already be earning revenue. What I understand he wants to do is develop a module whereby a cut list and punch list is generated, which means the engineering end has to be up to scratch, which I don't doubt Nathan can do, but the building codes may differ (liability problems), and most user won't need to generate cut lists or punch lists, thus niche use.

facer

8 Aug Update

Medeek Const Lib Kickstarter.JPG

facer

Medeek,
Please check your private messages, you have yet to respond to a PM proposal I posted.

Regards,
Ray

facer

Medeek Const Library - Kickstarter Status at: 14 Aug

Meedeek Kickstarter - update 08 - 14aug.JPG

medeek

Back from my trip to Utah. I had to take a day yesterday just to recuperate from my vacation, 5 kids can wear anyone out.

Facer will be implementing a new program to help drum up extra support for the campaign, only about 10 days left and we are only 50% there.

juju

I'm willing to double my support, which isn't much but will help the cause.

I'm hoping this kickstarter takes off...

*** EDIT ***
So, apparently, once you've backed the kickstarter you can't do another pledge?

Tandem

It would be interesting to hear from the current users of the Truss and Foundation plugins. Looking at the Kickstarter project it looks like only 4 Truss Plugin users are interested in the upgrade and none of the Foundation Plugin users are showing any interest. Although it is possible that some of the existing users are among the 23 backers that made the Basic or Advanced pledges. Still, only 30 backers?

medeek

There are currently 371 active (unique) users of the truss plugin. Yet the turnout is very low with the Kickstarter Campaign, which leads me to one of two conclusions:

1.) Kickstarter does not work well with the SketchUp community.

OR

2.) The number of "active" users of the plugin is much smaller than the registered user base.

If #2 is the case then it leads one to believe that the real world utility of the plugin is limited at best. Admittedly the plugin is a bit of novelty, it can do some cool stuff but does the registered user actually employ it on a daily basis and does it add significant value. These are questions that I have been asking for some time but do not have a clear answer on.

medeek

I've posted the Html Timber Truss input page at the link below so anyone can start putting it through its paces and offer me some feedback.

http://design.medeek.com/resources/timbertruss/web_dialog_timber_truss.html

I still need to add in the algorithms for the bolts into the top chord and top of the king post, should be able to knock that out this evening.

I will probably need to add in some extra logic that deals with bolt placement at the heel joints especially when the scarf cut on the bottom chord extends below the centerline of the bottom chord.

KrisM

My browser (Firefox) doesn't like the link.
"Firefox doesn’t know how to open this address, because one of the following protocols (skp) isn’t associated with any program or is not allowed in this context."
I associated skp with SketchUp but still doesn't work.
???

medeek

Try it now, there may be some other cross browser issues that I was not aware of. That is the reason for posting this link, it will help expose any issues.

I use Chrome as my primary browser so I am fairly confident there will be no issue with that browser.

medeek

I've got all of the bolts working now for each plate as well as the extra logic to make sure bolts don't get too close to the scarf line at the heel joint.

http://design.medeek.com/resources/timbertruss/web_dialog_timber_truss.html

Please go ahead and test out the link I've given above.

If there are no major fixes then I am ready to implement this module into the plugin.

I still need to come up with the metric version but first I will implement the imperial version fully.

KrisM

Nat,
The link works fine now but there are some other issues.
Leaving all the settings the same as the link presents - Changing span to 25', the right hand support disappears. Changing the span to 24'or less, the right most plate disappears. Generally speaking, I never see the bolts. Some detective work for you.
KrisM

facer

Medeek Const Library - Kickstarter Status at: 20 Aug

All or nothing. This project will only be funded if it reaches its goal by Tue, August 29 2017

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/128644708/medeek-construction-plugin-library

Meedeek Kickstarter - update 09 - 20aug.JPG

medeek

@krism said:

Nat,
The link works fine now but there are some other issues.
Leaving all the settings the same as the link presents - Changing span to 25', the right hand support disappears. Changing the span to 24'or less, the right most plate disappears. Generally speaking, I never see the bolts. Some detective work for you.
KrisM

Your right, not out of the woods yet on this one.

The html preview is working fine in Google Chrome but completely blows up in Firefox and has some issues with the bolts in IE.

It appears that SketchUp uses IE as the default browser for web dialogs (on Windows) so I've got to address the bolt issue first. I've loaded this up in Safari on my Ipad and it seems to be without any issues, maybe someone on a MAC can verify that.

medeek

In Internet Explorer, parentElement is undefined for SVG elements, whereas parentNode is defined.

That seems to have fixed the bolt issue within SketchUp. Please test the link with either Chrome, Safari or Internet Explorer, Firefox still has multiple issues.

Cross browser problems are typical when you start using complex javascript and SVG (which is a relatively new technology compared to other web protocols).

medeek

This is would be the typical output of the html input for the timber trusses:

I may add in the L1 dimension and the heel height dimension.

EDIT:

No major complaints or concerns with the way I have it currently configured, so far. I've starting creating the ruby code that does the heavy lifting. By the end of the week I should have something ready to go for timber trusses.

My goal is to also add in the Queen Post and Howe configuration for timber trusses, these other two seem to be the most commonly used.

There is a number of ways one could arrange the bolts on these plates or even configure the plates. I am trying to come up with the mostly widely accepted method that will make at least 75% of the user base happy. Hopefully I can achieve that.

At another level I am really happy about this latest edition to the plugin, I now have a better understanding and comfort level with designing bolt connected timber trusses and I can better address local customer requests in this regard.