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.

Version 3.7.2b - 10.14.2024

• Added in the remainder of the commonly available wide flange beams (W4 thru W44).

I think it comes to just a little over 250 different W flange beam profiles. However I'm sure there are some profiles I am missing or that are not as standard, if so let me know and I will add them in.

Version 3.7.2 - 10.13.2024

• Fixed a critical bug with the in-wall column module.
• Added the following additional Wide Flange (W14) beams to the beam module: W14X38, W14X43, W14X48, W14X53, W14X61, W14X68, W14X74, W14X82, W14X90, W14X99
• Added the following additional Wide Flange (W16) beams to the beam module: W16X45, W16X50, W16X57, W16X67, W16X77, W16X89, W16X100
• Enabled a wood grain and an end grain material for glulam beams within the beam module.
• Enable additional built-in materials for "Custom" in-wall columns.
• Added the following (27 - low poly) Simpson column bases to the post module: CB7_6, CB1212, CB1012, CB1010, CB812, CB810, CB718_7, CB718_6, CB718_4, CB612, CB610, CB88, CB86, CB68, CB64, CB48, CB46, CB9_105, CB9_75, CB9_9, CB9_6, CB7_105, CB7_75, CB7_9, CB6_7, CB5_45, CB5_6
• Added the following (6 - low poly) Simpson column caps to the post module: CCQ84, CCQ86, CCQ94, CCQ96, CCQ98, CCQ106

My wife said my design was boring so I saved a new version and let her try to come up with something a little more interesting…

Is 8,000 sqft too large? I'm going to say yes, at least for most people.

Besides the regular mdkBIM plugins I also used the grid tool (Medeek Project), but the regular SketchUp grid tool works just as well. A grid tool is a requirement in my opinion, you really need something like this for laying things out correctly.

I also used TIG's mirror tool for certain manual modeling tasks.

The trim and extend tools in the Medeek Project were also very handy for creating my diagonal braces.

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.

One additional parameter for removing specific rim boards:

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

Tutorial 7 - Subtractive Geometry (10:57 min.)

Tutorial 6 - Skewed Joist Hangers (5:03 min.)

Tutorial 5 - Rim Joists and Sill Plates (5:47 min.)

Tutorial #4: Deck Boards (6:42 min.)

Version 0.9.9e - 10.04.2024

• Updated 2-Ply rim joists with air gap to extend joists that are in a lapped configuration.
• Updated the Floor tab of the Global Settings with even more parameters for joist construction.
• Added the following face mount Simpson hangers into the built-in library: MIU1819, MIU18111, MIU18114, MIU18116, MIU18118.

Double rim joists with air gap, lapped and extended:

A quick test of the non-orthogonal floor types shows that the algorithm holds up as it should:

Version 0.9.9d - 10.03.2024

• Fixed critical bugs with saving of floor presets.
• Improved robustness of floor attribute library and data lookup methods.

Some incremental improvements but necessary.

IMPORTANT
Note that the last few updates prior to this update introduced a number of new features that effectively disabled the saving of floor presets. Please download this latest update to restore the ability to save floor presets.

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.

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 0.9.9 - 10.01.2024

• Further updated the insulation, blocking, metal bridging and hanger modules to accommodate staggered joists.
• Added skewed hanger options into the Floor tab of the Global Settings.
• Added skewed hangers to the Draw and Edit menus.
• Added the following skewed (45 degree) Simpson hangers into the built-in library: SUL24, SUL26, SUL210, SUL214, SUL1819, SUL18111, SUL18114, SUL2069, SUL20611, SUL20614, SUR24, SUR26, SUR210, SUR214, SUR1819, SUR18111, SUR18114, SUR2069, SUR20611, SUR20614
• Updated and added a new subtraction mode to the SUBTRACT feature: SUBTRACT_JOIST
• Added Subtractive Geometry (Joist) in the General tab of the Global Settings.

First look at skewed hangers with staggered joists:

A little bit more complicated than regular joists due to the offsets but overall its pretty much the same routine. Pretty excited that I actually can get this to work, at first I wasn't really sure if it was even feasible.

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.