This plugin will be essentially the command and control center for the mdkBIM suite. The other plugins are there to create and edit the geometry, specializing in their specific niches while this plugin will contain the tools that works across all three plugins, bringing everything together.
There is so much work to be done to make all of this a reality. I don’t even take weekends or vacations off anymore. My last coding break was in September, during the SketchUp Basecamp. I won’t take a break from the code until I have completed what I set out to accomplish or I fall out of my chair trying.
I’ve started working on this new plugin again after a three year hiatus.
The goal is to move the estimating module from the Wall plugin as well as the trimming tools from the Truss plugin.
However, before I do that I am working on creating a layer control feature within this new plugin which will allow one to quickly modify the visibility of the various Medeek layers within one’s model. This tool will be called “Layer Control”.
Each plugin has its own list of layers so there will probably be a control for each plugin but also a master control as well. I’m still fleshing this one out but it should be interesting.
I know that you are trying set up a place where everything your plugins make is accounted for in the estimating section of your plugins, but when you say more control of layers (tags), it makes me wonder if you’re going to make the layers and the stuff they are assigned to more controllable as we have discussed in the past.
Ultimately being able to control what kind of stock is going to be ordered for all the members would be awesome. Oh, that one could click a button and have a list ready to send to a supplier!
Quantifier Pro does a pretty good job, but the way it works requires a lot of control over the tags–a tag for every kind of stock.
I really appreciate the labor you’re putting into this part of the plugin, it would be nice to only need to account for things not created with your plugins because the estimating module is so robust.
Creating floor plans and somewhat automating scenes in layout, the prospects are exciting!
Each plugin has a set of tags/layers that is uses to put certain geometry on. For visibility purposes this is quite useful and makes sense in my opinion. However as you suggest there will always be other “stuff” in the model that may be something my plugins are not able to or not ready to account for.
By having a set of custom “Medeek” layers that the user puts specific geometry on allows me to hopefully address this to some degree. I can theoretically run all sorts of analysis on geometry that is placed in these layers (ie. count, volume, length, width, depth, material etc…)
I’m still not exactly sure what purpose these extra layers/tags might serve but I have a feeling they will prove to be useful.
A lot of people try to describe BIM as some nebulous concept that no one can seem to agree on.
My definition is BIM is nothing more than an accurate (as close to reality as possible) 3D model of your structure/building. Once you have such a model you can use it to estimate your quantities, costs and even use it during construction to check dimensions or various other tasks.
Each item in your 3D model will have associated metadata (ie. manufacturer, weight, material, color etc…), that is also part of BIM, that is the “information” side of the story.
What you do with all of this information and how you organize and schedule it is part of the “management”.
I’m not actually sure if BIM means Building Information Modeling or Building Information Management, I think both make sense, since modeling and management are both part of the process.
I have a different point of view but I understand yours.
In Spain where I work we build in a different way. We don’t use trim walls and ours structures are usually made with concrete.
We use BIM to colaborate between us. We share 3D models with Architects, Engineers, Constructors and more.
For estimations, quantities and schedule we use Bim5D and Bim4D specific software.
I did an extension to attach quantities to each IFC component in Sketchup so the information travel with my model when I share it. That information can be seen in Trimble Connect too.
After a little shuffling and moving things about, this is what we have so far for the Project plugin toolbars:
Note that we’ve moved the estimating module and the documents module from the Wall plugin and the trimming tools from the Truss plugin.
The Project Info icon currently doesn’t do anything. I am going to put some careful thought into how I want that interface to look and function.
I am now working on the Layer Control tool, this will also involve necessary updates to the all of the plugins for it to work correctly (ie. Wall, Truss, Foundation and Electrical).