First look at a mitered rim joist:

I know, no one builds it this way but I’m just covering all my bases.

I just need to test the sill plate algorithm tomorrow morning and I think we are ready for an initial BETA release.

Version 0.9.0 - 09.08.2024

• Created the Medeek Floor Plugin, utilizing SketchUp's Ruby API.
• Added the draw floor tool with the ability to create I-Joist and solid sawn (lumber) polygon shaped floors.

The Floor extension can be downloaded directly here:

http://design.medeek.com/calculator/sketchup/medeek_floor_ext.rbz

Note that this is a BETA release and does not include all of the future planned functionality (ie. openings, beams etc...) I am only posting this release in a few select locations to allow power users to test it out first and help me further debug and refine it. After approximately a week I will send out a notification to all users letting them know that the release is now publicly available. Hopefully in that time I can catch the most glaring bugs and issues so that my inbox does not become swamped.

Also all those who have been issued licenses in the last year or so will have their expiration update date of their license automatically renewed so that it will be active for one year starting from tomorrow's date (09/09/2025).

The current todo list in no specific order:

1.) Floor Coverings: Tile, Carpet, Hardwood etc…
2.) Floor Openings: Stairwell and Crawlspace or ladder access
3.) In Floor Beams
4.) Blocking: Mid-span blocking, custom blocking, edge blocking
5.) Ledgers: customize each edge or side of an assembly with a custom ledger or rim joist setting.
6.) Hardware: Joist Hangers, Beam Hangers, diagonal bracing, deck holdowns

7.) Railing: for decks
8.) Custom Joist Doubling: ability to double any number of joists in the array
9.) Custom Joist Offset: ability to offset any number of joists independently.
10) Global Joist Offset
11.) Max. Joist Span Indicator: Engineering related
12.) Diagonal deck boards
13.) MPC Wood Floor Trusses
14.) Steel Trusses (not high priority)

Feel free to help me add to this list.

Tutorial 2 - Joist Hangers (19:57 min.)

Version 3.7.1 - 09.17.2024

• Added a vertical offset parameter for in-wall column king studs.

In the case where you have a beam pocket and king studs over top of a door or window this update is critical. Previously the king studs would simply project to the bottom plate in the wall passing through the opening. Now you can utilize this extra parameter to vertically offset these king studs the same way the column itself is offset. Note that the offset can be both positive or negative or zero (default)

I have had two requests now for metal bridging or bracing so I took about an hour and modeled up a Simpson TB27 between 2X10 joists @ 16" on center. It actually looks really nice:

However some things immediately jumped out at me:

1.) I based my TB27 off of the ICF file on Simpson's website so it is dimensionally accurate, however to do that takes quite a bit of time. Modeling like this is fun but very time consuming and one thing I never have enough of is time.

2.) This is the TB27 configured for 2X10's on 16" centers, now think of all the other permutations (including I-Joists). To make this look right would require a preconfigured component for each case. The number of permutations is at least 130 or more.

3.) If you also consider custom offsets of specific joists then it gets even more crazy.

My thinking is that if I do want to enable something like this it will need to be less detailed geometrically (just a basic representation) and drawn on the fly using an algorithm that checks joist depth and spacing. Rather than specify the exact part number (ie. TB20, TB27, TB30 etc...), just specify that it is metal bridging.

I am changing up the way in which I do subtractive geometry from the way I've done it with the other plugins in the past.

If you enable Subtractive Geometry in the global settings you can use the SUBTRACT keyword to cut holes through everything as per normal. However you will now also have two other options:

SUBTRACT_SHEATH: This keyword will only subtract through sheathing, flooring and deck boards.

SUBTRACT_GYPSUM: This keyword will only subtract through gypsum

I may add others as the need arises or additional requests are made.

I wasn't paying attention to a realistic header with trimmers, just focusing on the king stud offset, I agree, a few things would need to be beefed up to handle this type of beam configuration. I've only actually engineered one job with this type of beam over window(s).

After another three hours of some productive thought and hacking away at some rather large blocks of code (and a few choice words) I managed to pull together a fairly efficient and robust algorithm for the cavity insulation between those irregular joists.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you “Batt Insulation with Staggered Joists”:

I’m exhausted, tomorrow I might take a small break.

Version 0.9.9b - 10.01.2024

• Updated the Floor tab of the Global Settings with additional parameters for joist construction.
• Fixed a minor bug with the hanger module for double ply staggered studs.
• Fixed a bug in the Draw and Edit menus so that all hangers in the library are properly displayed.
• Added the following skewed (45 degree) Simpson hangers into the built-in library (skew_hangers): SUL410, SUL414, SUL214_2, SUL210_2, SUL26_2, SUR410, SUR414, SUR214_2, SUR210_2, SUR26_2

Version 0.9.9c - 10.03.2024

• Enabled diagonal deck boards with the addition of a Board rotation parameter.
• Enabled 2-Ply rim joists with our without an air gap.

Tutorial 8 - Staggered Joists (5:06 min.)

One additional parameter for removing specific rim boards:

I am currently working on the floor covering tool which will then become the code template for the floor opening tool. Once I have those two big items completed I think we will finally have a mostly usable plugin.

I am sure there will be requests for additional features and/or changes to the functionality but the core of the plugin will be mostly in place. At that point I will test the plugin in as many states as possible and attempt to discover any final bugs or issues, then within a couple days I will probably release Version 1.0.0.

Further integration with the estimating module will also be something on the todo list in the weeks ahead.

As always please feel free to chime in with any specific requests or items you feel need to be addressed. I take all feedback and suggestions very seriously and I take everything under consideration. Ultimately I will weigh every idea in the balance and based on its relevancy and time considerations your ideas may quickly become a reality within this plugin or any other plugin in the Medeek family.

Version 3.7.3 - 10.14.2024

• Added a duplicate post check to the regen module for post assemblies.
• Added a duplicate beam check to the regen module for beam assemblies.
• Added a duplicate stair check to the regen module for stair assemblies.
• Added in the remainder of the commonly available wide flange beams (W4 thru W44) to the post module.

And a few more cross sectional views and interesting screenshots:

Tutorial 13 - Framing Basement Walls (15:17 min.)

Version 0.9.9f - 10.17.2024

• Enabled (cosmetic cutting) of individual deck boards.
• Enabled removing of individual rim boards.

The cutting of deck boards was per user request.

Tutorial 11 - Cutting Deck Boards (6:05 min.)

After watching Tony's video I realized we probably need a couple additional advanced options for floors/decks with deck boards enabled. The two that immediately jump out at me are:

1.) Trim Band or Picture Frame

2.) Deck Wrap

Both of these can easily be achieved since they are very similar to my existing rim board code.

In fact, I can even enable a remove option for each of these modules similar to the rim board module. The parameters shall be:

1.) Trim Band: Yes/No
2.) Trim Width
Trim Thickness: Typically one would set this to the same thickness as the deck boards but I better provide this just in case.
3.) Trim Overhang
4.) Trim Corners: Lap, Reverse Lap, Miter
5.) Trim Material
6.) Remove Trim: Empty by Default

1.) Deck Wrap: Yes, No
2.) Wrap Depth
3.) Wrap Thickness
4.) Wrap Corners: Lap, Reverse Lap, Miter
5.) Wrap Material
6.) Remove Wrap: Empty by Default

Tutorial 12 - Trim and Wrap (6:42 min.)