Version 4.0.3 - 07.03.2025

• Fixed a long standing bug (06/27/2023) with the edit dimension tool for framing dimensions (rectangular walls).

I’m debating whether to model the collar as shown. It does make the fitting more realistic but it does add some volume to the overall solid, which may affect my volume calcs if needed. I suppose I could figure out a clever way to calculate this out of the volume if it ever becomes an issue.

Thoughts?

Here is the start of the “boot” library:

4", 5", 6", 7", 8"

The naming convention is:

BOOT90_4X10X6_2

The last number indicates the vertical rise of the register box.

I think I have a enough now to start testing the component insertion logic.

The same duct assembly switched to round and oval profiles:

I don’t really see any other duct profiles being used than these three (Round, Rectangular, Oval).

In the next week I will be adding the “Edit Segment” and “Edit Node” menus/tools. Once those are complete I will need some beta testers to provide feedback and feature suggestions. If you are interested and can provide high quality feedback then I would be willing to issue you a license. Please be aware that this plugin is in no way ready for a production environment. I still need to clean up the global settings (borrowed from the Floor plugin) and a number of tools are still needing to be added.

Please email me (nathan@medeek.com) if you are interested. I probably will only issue about 10 licenses for BETA testers, I don’t want too many voices at this point. My preference is that you are familiar with HVAC and you do some of this modeling within SketchUp.

First look at the main assembly edit menu:

It seems like these menus always start off simple but then get overloaded with parameters. I will do my best to keep it simple but feature requests will ultimately dictate what form it evolves to.

Rectangular duct appears to be working as far as corners that “bend”. I’ve still need to add in round and oval ducting, both of which should not be too much more difficult than square or rectangular ducting.

A few more editing tools to add (ie. segments, nodes, edge editing etc…). My youngest soon suggested that I also include a copy or eye drop tool similar to what is in the Wall plugin. I think this makes sense since it will be quite tedious to edit a bunch of segments or nodes and have to update them all separately.

I think it might also be useful to create a tool(s)which allows one to join or split an assembly into different assemblies.

After that I need to start adding in options for the nodes (ie. registers, boots, transitions etc…)

When creating a new duct assembly from a bunch of edges currently one has to select each edge by clicking on it. I think it need to update the tool so that one can drag a window and select the edges this way if desired. I’ve actually never programmed a “window selector” in any of my tools thus far so that should be interesting and maybe a little challenging.

Juju had no idea what he was starting in 2015 when he asked me if the Truss plugin would become a bona fide extension…

Thanks to him I am now starting on my seventh “bona fide” extension.

The Medeek HVAC icons shall be:

Maybe a little boring but sometimes I think simple is better.

Version 1.0.9 - 06.17.2025

• Added the floor truss toolbar with the following two items: Draw Beam Pocket, Delete Beam Pocket.
• Enabled beam pockets for MPC wood trusses.
• Fixed a bug with short span steel trusses.

Tutorial 28 - Beam Pockets with Floor Trusses (8:00 min.)

In many cases when you introduce a stairwell opening into a floor like this it will be along the perimeter of the floor assembly as shown. In these cases it is simpler to create your floor perimeter with the opening in mind:

Note, in order to create the additional gable truss (2x6 ply) I first changed my ply width to 5.5" then copied the gable truss at the interior of the stair well, then pasted it in place in the root of the model and then edited the floor assembly back to the typical 3.5" ply width. Alternatively one could simply frame this small pony wall with the Wall plugin (ie. conventional framing) just as easily.

I'm not exactly sure how the trusses would work where the LVL beam/header is positioned at the start of the stairwell, obviously we would need some kind of header at that location.

Here is a link to the model for those who are interested in examining this floor truss example in more detail:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/embed/62200e55-7a11-4b43-bdac-4d00119d4f01?token=4RdrisG1fJM=&binaryName=s21

Version 1.0.8 - 06.08.2025

• Updated the SUBTRACT and SUBTRACT_JOIST features so that they can better handle MPC wood trusses, steel trusses and open web "Redbuilt" trusses.
• Updated the Floor Opening module so that it can handle MPC wood trusses, steel trusses and open web "Redbuilt" trusses.
• Added a "None" option for the header type in the draw and edit menus for floor openings.

Version 1.0.7 - 06.06.2025

• Enabled MPC Wood Trusses with ribbon boards, multiple chases and gable trusses.
• Updated the Move Floor Edge tool so that it also toggles the metal plate connector layer.
• Update the SUBTRACT_JOIST feature so that it can adequately handle MPC wood trusses.

Tutorial 27 - MPC Wood Trusses (13:25 min.)

Looks like I’m about 95% there with floor trusses:

The only issue appears to be what happens when ribbon boards are enabled and you have an inside corner as shown. I probably need to add in some additional logic to eliminate the slot for the ribbon board in these cases.

After a full day of tinkering and refactoring a bunch of the original floor truss code I think I now have the multi-chase algorithm working:

Note how the chases all line up even though there are five or six different truss profiles within this assembly. I still need to create the web generator between the central sections of the truss profile, there is quite a bit going on here. I am still a few days out from completing the programming and then another two or three days of testing and further debugging.

Version 1.5.2 - 06.02.2025

• Updated the wire library to include all the common NMB wire sizes.

This update per customer request.

Wire sizes per the Southwire (Romex) documentation:

http://design.medeek.com/resources/electricalplugin/references/2403_3-C_Romex_NMB_Cable_SpecSheet_Web.pdf

Version 4.0.2 - 06.01.2025

• Added a bottom gap parameter to the draw and edit menu of the door module.
• Added the bottom gap parameter to the door tab of the global settings.

Tutorial 26 - Editing Opening Headers (5:00 min.)

Version 1.0.6 - 05.31.2025

• Added an edit function to the "Stretch Floor Header" tool.
• Added a "Timber" header type for floor openings.
• Fixed minor bugs in the floor opening module.

Version 1.0.5 - 05.30.2025

• Added the ability to stretch opening headers with the "Stretch Floor Header" tool.

Tutorial 25 - Stretching Opening Headers (7:50 min.)

Version 4.0.1 - 05.29.2025

• Added five additional layers to the Layers tab of the Global Settings for stair assemblies.
• Added a "Stair Layers" option into the Layers tab of the Global Settings in order to toggle the stair layers "On" or "Off".

Tutorial 71 - Layers/Tags for Stairs (4:02 min.)

Version 4.0.0b - 05.28.2025

• Enabled "green" pressure treated lumber within the stair module.

Version 4.0.0 - 05.27.2025

• Enabled "green" pressure treated lumber in the global settings.
• Fixed a bug with trimmer studs for trapezoid windows.