Back in 2017 I had proposed creating this extension but eventually shelved it due to the fact that it was absorbed into the Wall plugin and later it was also added into the stemwall module of the Foundation plugin.
However after watching a number of videos online recently and looking at the various workflows of certain SketchUp power users I think there is still space for a dedicated plugin that does what the window and door modules do within my Wall plugin but offer essentially the same functionality as stand alone window and door assemblies (groups).
Here is the original thread started back in 2017:
And the original plugin logo:
Not everyone wants to use my Wall plugin for various reasons but I see a lot of window and door extensions that also incorporate solid/wall cutting features.
After giving this some thought this morning I realized it would not be very hard to peel off these two modules into their own standalone extension and offer users another option that might better fit within their workflows.
I’ve have tried all the window and door extensions known to man, and I prefer yours to any other. If you were to port yours to standalone plugin, I think you would do really well with it. I like that it’s kind of “set it and forget it” with the global settings, and that you get interior and exterior trim, custom profiles, and the ability to save openings.
I’d say do it.
I’m also thinking of making this a very inexpensive extension so it has wider appeal and provides a low cost solution for the DIYers and others who don’t want to invest a lot into a full fledged BIM solution, when they are only creating a small or personal project in SketchUp.
Maybe something along the lines of the Medeek Project plugin, $20.00 for a permanent license and $10.00 for a subscription license.
The only downside might be that this offering might cannibalize some of the uptake of the Wall plugin, so I will need to give that some consideration.
definitely go this route. this will reduce complexity for the wall plugin = more usability, more easier maintenance – focused. the windows and doors plugin - besides simply generating them - short term - maybe mimic the main product specs from Pella, Andersen, Marvin, Nanawall, etc etc as well as generic - so while the generated ones won’t have the gory details, someone could manually swap in the commercial model later without much pain.
This will not change the Wall plugin in any way, it will only create a separate plugin for windows and doors that can be used with any (solid) wall geometry.
I think it’s sensible to do for all the reasons you gave.
As an aside, I use FlexTools, and often use my own and other windows with it besides the ones that come with it, so it would be possible to use it to cut your windows into basic SketchUp geometry walls. I showed an example with my own windows here.
ok, for some reason i thought you would be pulling all the door and window generation out of the wall plugin so the wall plugin was purely about the wall structure and doors and windows would populate the openings etc.
I suppose one could always use this type of workflow but if you’ve already created the window or door opening in the wall plugin it only makes sense to also install the door or window unit as well.
The purpose of this new plugin it to provide a window and door tool for those who are not using the Wall plugin and are modeling their own walls as simple solids.
It would probably bring in new users for you. Good Idea.
I would like to see the door and windows have the ability to set the custom label to the instance name. I use this for annotation via auto text. As it is now there is no way I see to label a window that doesnt get erased with any edit of the wall or opening. Before adopting Medeek I would place window components and could quickly edit the instance with a number that would easily be assigned to a label or other annotation by autotext. Having to edit into the assembly to set this number is a few more steps but at least it wouldnt get reset with any edit or regen of the wall or opening.
Hi Nathaniel, this could be classed as an entry level product for some people allowing them to use their own basic wall profiles as you suggest. It will also show how useful and flexible your plugins are.
Go for it
