Medeek Wall Plugin

medeek

Version 1.8.2b - 01.27.2021

Enabled a second layer of sheathing for exterior gable walls.

I only have the hip and shed walls left to update.

!!! CAUTION !!!
Installing this update will require that you delete and recreate any GABLE wall presets that you have previously configured. This update will not affect any rectangular, shed or hip wall presets.

medeek

Version 1.8.2c - 01.28.2021

Enabled a second layer of sheathing for exterior shed and hip walls.

!!! CAUTION !!!
Installing this update will require that you delete and recreate any HIP or SHED wall presets that you have previously configured. This update will not affect any rectangular or gable wall presets.

medeek

This completes all of the upgrades necessary to enable the 2nd sheathing layer for all wall types. A tedious but necessary process, over 30 files where updated in the code but only four actual parameters added to the wall types.

Some minor cosmetic updates to the draw and edit menus of all the wall types. Hopefully the advanced options section is a bit easier on the eyes now and a bit more organized. All of these parameters can get a bit overwhelming at times even for myself, however each one is necessary so we can’t just wash our hands of them.

I may take a bit of a break today from the code but at the same time I’m chomping at the bit to at least get some sort of “Wall Dropper” tool up and running since I don’t think it would be that hard to implement and I do think it would be very useful.

medeek

Version 1.8.3 - 01.31.2021

Added pocket doors to the door module.

The pocket door algorithm is based on the 1500 series Johnson Hardware Pocket Door Frames:

https://johnsonhardware.com/pocket-door-hardware

I am not modeling all of the details of the door assembly such as the steel studs or the track and jamb brackets, however I am modeling the prefabricated (wood) frame header assembly.

View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/52164162-2e89-42ba-a47d-9c53608d5bf0/Pocket-Door-1

medeek

First look at a 4 Panel Bifold (closet) Door:

View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/d9a30380-0ebb-4024-803c-ac4ede7ebd5d/Bifold-Closet-Doors

I still need to come up with the 2D symbol at the base of the door and even a more interesting problem is the opening algorithm for this door type.

The two outer panels are simple, they are merely a rotation just like a standard swing door. The inner panels on the other hand not only rotate but they also translate in relation to the outer panels since a hinge constrains them at that point. I like these kinds of "hard" problems.

medeek

First look at a 4 panel bifold door being opened and closed:

medeek

Version 1.8.4 - 02.02.2021

Added bifold (4 panel - solid) doors to the door module.

You can also add a threshold if used as an exterior door however I don't have a lot of options yet for exterior applications (ie. full glass). For now these are primarily for closet doors.

You can also switch which side the doors face by choosing LH INT or LH EXT. For the four panel bifold it doesn't matter whether you choose LH or RH, it essentially ignores the handedness of the parameter.

I still need to add in the 2 panel variant and then I think we will have most of the basics covered as far as doors are concerned, at least for now. Really exotic stuff will be up to the user to add into a framed opening (which I can provide).

The door opening algorithm was a bit more challenging than everything encountered thus far but after a couple of hours tinkering it finally came together.

medeek

Version 1.8.4b - 02.03.2021

Added bifold (2 panel - solid) doors to the door module.

There are four possibilities for a 2 panel bifold door:

LH OUT, LH IN, RH OUT, RH IN

Whereas there is only two possibilities for a 4 panel bifold door: OUT or IN

medeek

I think I'm going to the call the "eyedropper" tool the "Copy Wall" tool. One additional icon will be added to the "Medeek Wall Tools" toolbar:

I know, I will hear it from everyone about the proliferation of more icons. However, there is an extension out there that allows you to customize the actual toolbars if you feel the need to:

https://extensions.sketchup.com/extension/e413511f-0517-4115-8d81-90039a20a72c/toolbar-editor

medeek

Version 1.8.5 - 02.07.2021

Enabled the "Wall Copy" tool within the Medeek Wall Tools toolbar.

Note I've only enabled this tool for rectangular walls. After I am fully confident that it is working well and I've addressed any bugs or issues I will set it up for all the other (gable,shed and hip) wall types.

Please try out this new tool and provide any feedback or comments directly to nathan@medeek.com

medeek

I think the new Copy Wall tool will prove to be quite useful. As I am thinking about it this morning I realized that a similar tool for Doors and Windows would also be quite useful.

medeek

Version 1.8.5b - 02.08.2021

Fixed a bug with the top plate cut out algorithm when walls meet in a "cross" configuration.

Each wall teeing into the primary wall has had its corner offset set to 1/2 the thickness of the primary wall.

medeek

Version 1.8.6 - 02.11.2021

Added the following Simpson Strong-Tie hangers to the beam hanger library: LUS26-2Z, LUS28-2Z, LUS210-2Z.

medeek

Version 1.8.7 - 02.15.2021

Added an option for the garage door track in the global settings.

Currently you cannot set this parameter per garage door, it can only be set globally (in the Garage Door tab).

medeek

I've had a number of people recently ask me for the ability to apply a wood grain texture to the lumber (ie. studs, plates, blocking, etc...) This really isn't a big ask, so I am going to enable another couple parameters in the global settings (Material Tab) so that the user can apply a texture to lumber and pressure treated lumber. Here is a first look at what that will look like (compare the wood grain wall to the solid colored wall):

I've tried to be very subtle with the wood grain texture so that it approximates my default lumber color but as you can see it is a slightly darker shade. I'm not sure I am entirely happy with it yet but it is a start.