Version 4.0.4 - 07.13.2025

• Added the following steel post types to the post module: Round (HSS), Pipe (NPS).

I'm not sure why I never added a "pipe" option in before, I guess no one ever asked until now.

I will need to add more sizes but I now have the most commonly used sizes from 3" to 6" DIA.

Version 4.0.4b - 07.14.2025

• Added springfield plates to the post base and post cap libraries (for 3.5" and 4.0" pipe).
• Added the following Simpson post caps to the post module: LLC35_35, LCC35_4, LCC45_35, LCC45_4, LCC525_35, LCC525_4, LCC6_35, LCC6_4, LCC7_35, LCC7_4.

If I'm going to add in this new "pipe" post then it stands to reason that I also add some appropriate bases and caps to match.

Version 4.0.5 - 07.16.2025

• Fixed a bug with quadruple end wall studs (applies to all wall types).
• Added the following Simpson Strong-Tie pre-assembled anchor bolts to the wall, column and shearwall modules: PAB6-12, PAB6-18, PAB6-24, PAB6-30, PAB6-36, PAB7-12, PAB7-18, PAB7-24, PAB7-30, PAB7-36, PAB8-12, PAB8-18, PAB8-24, PAB8-30, PAB8-36, PAB10-12, PAB10-18, PAB10-24, PAB10-30, PAB10-36.
• Added the HTTH6.5 holdown to the built-in holdown library.

Note, that these anchor bolts come in five different lengths (12, 18, 24, 30 and 36). I did not add in the 1/2 and 5/8 dia. anchor bolts since this option is primarily chosen when a much larger anchor bolt is needed, but do let me know if you would like to see them added in.

Just playing catch up on a number of items after spending three or so weeks on the HVAC plugin. Undoubtedly, I am spread a bit thin these days with six plugins now under active development.

Version 4.0.4c - 07.15.2025

• Added the following Simpson Strong-Tie holdowns to the wall, column and shearwall modules: HDUE3, HDUE5, HDUE7, HDUE9, HDUE13, HDUE17.

Looks like Simpson added this new replacement for the HDU holdown in May of this year. I just noticed this morning so I added them in.

Note that these are low poly versions of the holdowns based directly off of the geometry provided on Simpson's website.

Version 4.0.6 - 07.17.2025

• Fixed a bug with gable walls.
• Added the following Simpson Strong-Tie pre-assembled anchor bolts to the wall, column and shearwall modules: PAB4-12, PAB4-18, PAB4-24, PAB4-30, PAB4-36, PAB5-12, PAB5-18, PAB5-24, PAB5-30, PAB5-36, PAB9-12, PAB9-18, PAB9-24, PAB9-30, PAB9-36.

Version 3.7.3 - 07.19.2025

• Enabled square cut rafter tails for gable rafter roofs.

Version 4.0.7 - 07.20.2025

• Enabled the polyline draw mode for all wall justification options: Front, Center, Back, Sheathing.

Tutorial 72 - Wall Justification (7:16 min.)

Per customer request I will add in an LSL option for the framing very shortly:

I'm using the updated LSL texture I created for the Floor plugin, but I still feel like it is a bit dull or dark compared to my previous texture (OSB). It could be a bit more vibrant or saturated. I will need to spend some more time on this.

Weyerhaeuser sells their Timberstrand line of LSL framing and studs:

TimberStrand® LSL Wall Framing & Studs

Picks up framing where the code stops

(www.weyerhaeuser.com)

However, I would always worry about water damage. What happens if the LSL gets wet? We all know what happens to OSB, and plywood is a much more robust product in comparison. Standard lumber seems like a much more resilient choice when it comes to potential water damage, but I could be wrong.

Version 4.0.8 - 07.25.2025

• Enabled LSL as a wall framing material.
• Updated the material textures for LSL and PSL.

These don't seem like major updates however there are numerous places within the plugin that required updating and also during the process I was able to further refine and compress the code so it is now more efficient and better organized. Updates were made to the following modules: Walls, Stairs, Columns, Beams, Posts and Shearwalls.

Version 1.5.4 - 08.11.2025

• Added "chargers" (EV) under misc. fixtures.
• Added a (Stiebel Eltron) tankless water heater and a (Tesla) wall charger/connector to the built-in libraries within misc. fixtures.

Version 4.1.1 - 08.17.2025

• Added Fixed - Slider (L) and Fixed - Slider (R) windows to the window module.

These two window types added per customer request.

Version 4.1.2 - 08.18.2025

• Added hexagon windows to the window module.

Note, that to get a regular hexagon window you will want to enter in a window height that is given by this formula:

height = width x 0.8660254

So for example if window is 48" wide its height will be: 48" x 0.8660254 = 41.569219"

One can always enter in any size for example an elongated hexagon or squished hexagon but I suspect most manufacturers will typically only stock a "regular" hexagon shaped windows in various sizes.

Version 4.1.3 - 08.21.2025

• Added a "Label Scaling" parameter for all wall types.

Update per customer request.

First look at the shear and moment diagrams being generated by the report generator. It took me most of yesterday and today to learn the ropes of Chart.js, an open source charting library for Javascript. It's not perfect but it does seem to get the job done. My only real issues with it is that I still can't figure out how to make it render to a higher resolution (300 dpi for printing purposes). The sample below is a screenshot of the PDF that is printed from the HTML output.

I am using the stiffness method per Ch. 15 of R.C. Hibbeler’s book, Structural Analysis. For intermediate loads between supports I use (FEM) fixed end moments. I’m actually still working on the matrix analysis piece. I’ve got point loads pretty much in place I’ve just got to implement distributed loads next. I suppose I could have it generate the entire polynomial for both shear and the moments since I am generating them for each applied load, it is probably just matter of using superposition on them as well.

Here is a first look at the ability to switch between various load cases for the deflection graph:

I was going to name the engineering module or plugin “Medeek Structural” however I’ve decided to change the name to “Medeek Engineering”.

The plugin icon will now be:

The first toolbar I will add is the Beam Engineering Tools which will allow the user to add point loads, distributed loads and supports to beams drawn in the wall plugin:

Overhanging beams with point loads now check out. Once again ChatGPT to the rescue to help debug my syntax and even debug my actual algorithms. This AI stuff is getting crazy good, sometimes it makes mistakes but then it is able to reason and catch itself, it's uncanny.

Now I just need to debug for uniform distributed loads on overhanging beams. Then it is on to the actual engineering portion (AWC stuff for wood) and some final formatting of the PDF/HTML report.

I'm also not entirely satisfied with the clunkiness of the tools used to move and create the supports, some improvements on this end are needed. A load/support copy tool would be really nice, rather than having to create completely new loads and supports from scratch.

Version 0.8.1 - 09.07.2025

• Developed the matrix analysis engine for the beam calculator using the stiffness method.
• Added a load diagram to the beam report.
• Added shear and moment graph to the beam report.
• Added a deflection graph to the beam report.

The engineering report is still not complete however by rolling this beta release I can allow potential users of this plugin the ability to test it out and assist in the debugging. The plugin can be directly downloaded from this link:

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

Working on assembling the actual engineering part of the report now, adjustment factors, shear, moments, deflection and bearing checks.

The vertical jumps now look at lot better. So far it seems pretty solid: