On a slightly different note I'm thinking about creating a plugin for wall framing and other misc. framing related items for residential construction:

• Walls
• Floors
• Stairs
• Dormers
• Foundations
• Posts and Beams
• Square and Round Footings

Any great ideas on names. Its going to be something like Medeek Framer or Medeek Construction but I just don't want to make it too narrow in scope since I will probably wrap a number of things into it.

I like the housebuilder extension but I think a lot more can be done based on this initial concept.

Items I would like to see are more flexibility in defining openings, double trimmers, double king studs, double window sill plates.

I would also like to have the ability to create portal frames per the IRC standard. As well as classify certain wall segments as shearwalls and automatically insert the holdown components (Simpson HDU series) into the wall.

For structural engineers I've got some ideas for a plugin called Medeek Structure which will do lateral load analysis for wind and seismic similar to the Woodworks Shearwall software that I currently use on my local engineering projects.

Gable end trusses for Queen Post and Howe truss types.

I think it is time to start adding some more truss types.

No, the change is pretty minor so I didn't think it needs its own rev.

Version 1.1.0 - 11.10.2015
Gable end trusses enabled for the Fink truss type and all raised heel variants.

I may need to adjust the vertical studs slightly for the raised heel with slider. I haven't yet determined the best way to frame that situation out.

I need to be able to select a face from a truss (truss top chord) even when the entire truss set is nested within a group -> component -> group. I'm going to assume this is possible, even though I don't know how to do this yet. If I can do this I can see a path to creating the valley set code which will allow one to insert a valley set behind a given truss set and have it frame over the main roof, conforming to the main pitch of the roof. At this point I'm only going to make it work if the two ridge lines are perpendicular. If they are different than 90 degrees the calculations are going to be a nightmare, I'll put that one on hold for a later time when I feel particularly ambitious.

Agreed, at the very least a document explaining the use and implications of each option and some simple diagrams and screenshots as needed. Also a glossary of terms.

I've got this far and the code is still less than 1 Mb, there is a lot more that is possible. Take a look at the typical output from Mitek's Sapphire program. This is the level it needs to get to in order for it to be useful.

Valley sets
Hip sets
Transition trusses
Girder trusses
Gable end trusses

I should be working on my regular work but SketchUp has an addictive hold on me at the moment. Trying to do a bit more complex roof line below. Immediately some things that pop out are the inherent complexities that occur when roof lines meet. The question is how to setup the plugin to automatically handle these situations, this will not be easy. I was able to easily trim and delete unnecessary rake and fascia boards as required. The trusses themselves need to be more dynamic so that one can adjust the overhang to zero as required. It is easy to select a number of component instances and make them unique and then adjust as required. In the second image I've copied an instance of the queen post truss to create a girder analog.

The other thing that needs some attention is the ability to easily create a valley set that frames over the larger roof line. I've got some ideas on this one, its going to take some interesting math but its not impossible.

Also notice how I have used a howe, fink and queen post truss to demonstrate the use of all three truss types.

The other interesting point is that when you specify the fascia boards it is quickly apparent whether or not the heel heights match up and everything is correct.

One can go so far as to put all of the H1 ties in. I could waste an entire day messing around in this software, way too much fun.

Just playing around with SketchUp a bit today and trying out the new sheathing, rakeboard and fascia capabilities in the Plugin.

The roof of this simple structure took all of 10 seconds to create, the rest about 20 minutes. I didn't realize Simpson Strongtie hardware is available in the 3D warehouse, good to know.

I'm not going to say anything about lateral bracing of this structure, just modeling for fun.

Version 1.1.0 - 11.08.2015
Added advanced roof options for Common, Scissor and Attic truss types.
Sheathing option enabled under advanced roof options.
Rake Board option enabled under advanced roof options.
Fascia (Flush, Dropped, Beveled) option enabled under advanced roof options.

@krism said:

I for one welcome seeing your comments re the plugin development and wouldn't want you to put this behind closed doors so to speak. Was the topic originally in the general forum and so has been moved more appropriately into the plugin area? Keeo it coming.
KrisM

On a different note I notice you do timber framing up in Salmon Arm, somewhat in my neck of the woods. What plugins specifically do you use regarding your trade or are there tools that support the timber framing trade.

I would be interested in working on some plugins that deal specifically with timber framing, hammer beam design, bents etc...

I would like the freedom to post links to other forums or resources as I see fit and this may not fall in line with the terms of service of this forums and others. I will not be bringing the development and its discussion behind closed doors, just to separate venue that I can have more control over and not be limited in the direction I may want to take the conversation.

I will continue to post major updates to this thread until someone tells me otherwise but for the daily development I will posting to my own personal blog or forum.

I've noticed that the admins have moved this board to a new location. Along that same line of thinking perhaps it is not appropriate that I discuss the day-to-day development of this plugin in the forums. I'm not entirely sure of the protocol on this since this is new territory for me. I will probably continue to field questions on this board related to the posts made thus far but if you would like to closely follow the development of this plugin please email or PM me.

I think I will include the option for either of the 3 variants since it isn't too much more to code and I'm getting quite a mixed reaction from different builders and designers. I guess everyone has there preferred method.

Another quite common fascia treatment is to use a 2x6 sub fascia with a 1x8 finish fascia (primed spruce or cedar).

However, I am mostly interested in the sub fascia and then I'll leave it up to the designer/architect to dress it up further as needed.

I'm trying to make the roof framing as easy as possible and basic structural items such as trusses, fascia, outlookers are all automated, then the designer can concentrate on the finish work (ie. ridge caps, trim fascia, barge boards, cupolas).

Can you post a link, I can't seem to pull it up in any search.

I'm working on the advanced options for roof trusses and I'm looking at the fascia board. I've come up with three different configurations for the fascia that I've seen in practice and in the architectural books that I have.

Which method of the three below do you prefer? or is there another configuration that I have missed?

Note that I am only interested in the sub fascia if there are additional trim boards that is up to the architect or designer.

I've downloaded the Housebuilder plugin from a french site a couple weeks ago but I can't seem to find the official release of this plugin/extension that contains the toolbar icons. Does anyone know where I can find the official plugin and if it is still being developed?

As I've been contemplating adding gambrel attic trusses to the truss plugin I've had to give some thought to what constitutes a good gambrel design. I've looked into this before but my conclusion is that no matter the lower and upper pitch of the roof a good looking design seems to be always achievable if the lower and upper legs of the roof are more or less equal in the length. To that end I've devised a simple spreadsheet calculator that will quickly throw out the numbers and display a graphic of the gambrel profile:

I'm not saying this is a hard and fast rule but it seems to give decent results. Minor variations (ie. L1 not equal to L2) are generally okay but if one leg is significantly longer than the other the gambrel profile becomes distorted.

The math to come up with this equality and generate the coordinates of the overall roof height and the pitch break is rather interesting and for those mathematically inclined is given below. Note that the equation ends up being a quadratic equation with the positive root extraneous:

Version 1.0.9 - 11.05.2015

• Added separate toolbar icons for floor trusses and joists.
• Created separate submenu items under the Medeek Truss Plugin Extension for roof and floor trusses.

The main menu was getting a bit cluttered and not so user friendly so I split it out into "Roof" and "Floor", hopefully this makes more sense.