I will reach out. I have all your extensions already, so that should tell you that I think highly of your efforts.
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Drawing Fittings:
Editing Fittings:
The library is similar to the Electrical plugins system so one can simply add in as many pre-built custom fitting components as you like.
It would be really nice if I setup my fittings menus similar to the UK outlet and switch menus in the electrical plugin, so that they give you a small preview image. The question is how much work will this be to create.
Lots of fittings to create, here is a BOOTCE_4X10X6_2 with the already modeled BOOT90_4X10X6_2:
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Hi Nathaniel,
Great work once again.
I would say having preview images where practically possible would be a great help to speed up design and layout process.
Over time as you well know from experience the volume of components increase making the dropdown list longer and longer.
Adding a similar preview you have in the stair module would be amazing and a very user friendly feature, and overtime maybe roll this out across all the modules.
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You are correct, the drop down menus are going to get big on this one, I can see it already and I haven’t even tried to go through all the fittings on some of the manufacturers websites yet. The preview images will be very helpful, so I will be sure to implement that. Luckily I don’t need to reinvent the wheel, I’ve been down this road before.
Todo List (in no specific order):
1.) Image previews in fittings menus (draw, edit)
2.) Transitions at nodes with two segments connecting
3.) Transitions at nodes with three segments connecting
4.) Union or merge tool
5.) Callouts for segments, fittings, transitions, bends, etc…
6.) 2D symbols for everything (related to callouts)
7.) Tools to Split and Join Duct Assemblies
8.) Edge Edit tool (still thinking about this one)
9.) Issue with duplication of segments when an edge is split into two or more edges, additional logic needed to check for this condition.
10.) Calculations (CFM capacity, Frictional losses etc…) I need to finish studying Manual D of the ACCA. If I can pull this off then this plugin will actually offer something really useful.
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The Fittings edit and draw menu will now show a preview image/thumbnail of the fitting:
However I do need to zoom in before I save these components files so that the generated thumbnail is a more reasonable size.
Maybe this is a little better:
I’ve been working on this plugin now for just over two weeks. I feel like I’ve made a dent, but there is still a lot more that can be done to bring this fully up to speed with the Electrical plugin and all of its capabilities and assets.
I will need to continue modeling various fittings. However the nice thing is that the fitting libraries are user expandable so anyone can simply drop their fittings into the folder to use them in the plugin.
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First look at a round to rectangle transition. I will need to test it further for robustness but I think I have the underlying algorithm finally worked out.
Now I just need to look at transitions between oval → round and oval → rectangle.
I haven’t fully tested what happens when you apply various offsets and segment rotations, so that may require some additional logic.
Don’t forget about (sum of) cross sectional areas on either side of transitions.
If not equal, flow speed will need to increase or decrease.
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It is up to the user to select the correct size of the ducting. The plugin will not attempt to prevent any transition. Of course some are not practical.
The next few days will be spent checking and double checking that the transition algorithms are robust and can handle all of the adjustments that get thrown at them. Overall they aren’t too complicated, however when you start adding in offsets and rotations things can change very quickly.
This morning I started with offsets and size differences for a RECT-RECT transition, which is by far the simplest of all the transition permutations. There are three different duct profiles which then yield six different possible combinations at any given transition, and each one needs to be tested and checked:
RECT-RECT
RND-RND
OVAL-OVAL
RECT-RND
RECT-OVAL
RND-OVAL
(The text labels shown are just my temporary debugging markers so that I can track my points)
Adding a rotation to a duct segment is probably going to be the worst case scenario in all of this, but I’m sure I can figure it out eventually.
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Oval, round and rectangular are now up and running:
The nice thing is all of these ducts and transitions are “solid” groups so one can easily calculate the volume. The number will probably come in handy at some point. Also each segment or piece should have a frictional loss associated with it, I will do some further reading this weekend.
The following toolbar will be added for HVAC Appliances:
The HVAC Appliance tool will be for adding AC units, furnaces, fans, VAV’s, boilers etc… Essentially any preconfigured HVAC equipment that is not duct work.
The will be simple stand alone assemblies that one can reposition using the native tools.
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As with the fittings menu the HVAC Appliance menu(s) will have a preview image to assist in selecting the correct AC unit, furnace etc…
Tee transitions are mostly there now. I may add some additional features like a 45 degree let in option (high efficiency branch take off), but I will probably wait until that becomes a feature request.
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SU-45 & SU-47 are probably in a bad place. When you go from a square to a round you usually increase the velocity so that kind of fitting placement may result in a vacuum rather that a pressurized fitting. Kind of like rolling down you window in a car? I had had to fix several of those already out in the field with my air balancing.
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I’m not saying any of my ducting shown is correct in the sense of how it might be sized etc… At this point I am just showing that one can create various types of transitions and tees, the plugin will not attempt to prevent a user from creating any specific configuration.
On a different note, I’ve added a manufacturer parameter to the appliances menus since the number of part numbers is going to be so large I think it only makes sense to break these drop down boxes up a bit by “type” and “manufacturer”. There will also be a “generic” option for those parts/appliances that do not have a manufacturer’s logo affixed.
Modeling these various HVAC appliances is a bit tedious since I first have to find somewhat detailed literature or documentation so I can at least get them mostly dimensionally accurate. Some of the features modeled are my best guesses based on images found online since not everything is dimensioned within the manufacturer’s documentation.
I also try to keep the models fairly low poly but typically there is not more than one or two of these appliances within a given model (for residential projects), so I am not as concerned as I am with HVAC fittings.
Agreed, and everything looks great so far in my humble opinion. Fittings can be tricky, especially when they are rectangular as nothing is “off the shelf” and the limitations of what can be fabricated and how.
But for round ducting and flex, I will start to compile a list of boxes and their interior dimensions for you to consider. I think that was one of the things you mentioned in your posts from above? I can also send over some of my libraries for you to import if you think that might help.
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Version 0.9.0 - 07.10.2025
- Created the Medeek HVAC Plugin, utilizing SketchUp’s Ruby API.
- Added tools to create ductwork, fittings, and HVAC appliances (AC, furnaces, and heat pumps).
The BETA version is out, you can now download the trial version here:
http://design.medeek.com/calculator/sketchup/medeek_hvac_ext.rbz
Please be advised this is the very first release of the extension and there will be many fires to put out.
Tutorial 1 - Extension Overview (20.18 min.)
For those that would like to provide serious feedback and really test this extension out, please email me and I can provide you a permanent license at no cost. I will only be accepting 10 beta testers to this program.
The plugin is currently not for sale yet, so you can not actually purchase a license.