I think you are on to something here. I like the idea of adding the version attribute, that way I can specifically track each element created and know straight away how it was created.
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*** UPGRADE WARNING ***
One thing that has come to my attention is that when upgrading to the latest version of the plugin (0.9.8h) and you are upgrading from a previous version that did not have the new dimension layers (dim2 and dim3) added, you may encounter this error:
Error: #<TypeError: no implicit conversion from nil to integer>
c:/users/dscott/appdata/roaming/sketchup/sketchup 2018/sketchup/plugins/medeek_wall_ext/medeek_wall_globals.rbs:1445:in `[]'
The quick fix for this error is to reinitialize the layers by clicking on the global settings and then navigating to the Layers tab. This alone will reinitialize any missing or newly added layers.
In the next version I will add some additional code that checks for this type of situation, so that it is no longer an potential issue in future releases when or if I add additional layers.
I would even go so far as to show a warning/error when trying to edit a component where the component version is greater than the plugin version.
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The next release of the plugin will have an arrow as shown to the right of the tabs in the global settings which will take the user to the next set of tabs:
Currently there are nine new tabs planned, most of which will have an under construction sign until I fully flesh them out:
The Updates tab will display the current changlog which is paralleled on the website as well.
Clicking the left arrow will return the user back to the first set of tabs.
If required an additional right arrow can be added to the second set of tabs taking the user to the third set of tabs.
In total there are 12 tabs in the first set and 9 tabs in the second set, for a total of 21 tabs in the global settings.
Consider including the word “more” with the arrow indicating more tabs.
New users especially have so much to learn they can miss obvious signals.
Many well-developed apps use at least 2 signs pointing to a particular destination - an icon and the word.
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I’ve already tried using various arrows and text and combinations of both and the cleanest look was this simple triangle arrow. Perhaps it is too subtle
The other reason I like the simple arrow is that it takes up less real estate which is what drove me to having to setup this multi menu system in the first place.
The psychology/rationale behind the interface can get very complex. Maybe it’s best to see it as a prioritized set of objectives.
Another option to strengthen the visibility of your arrow may be to make it look different from the adjacent text - so you could make it larger and or possibly colourful (basic graphical solutions). These decisions are about meeting the needs of your users (likely just new users) under specific conditions - much like the logic of your code has to be suitable for specific conditions.
You could even design the interface to change after a certain number of uses of basic functions so that it begins to look more sophisticated (as opposed to maybe a little child like to start with).
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Version 0.9.8i - 10.28.2018
- The following tabs added to the global settings: Garage Doors, Beams, Columns, Stairs, SSW, Shearwalls, Estimating, Engineering and Updates.
- Enabled custom materials for gypsum in the HTML wall draw and edit menus.
- Felt + OSB material added to the pre-installed plugin materials.
Felt + OSB is similar to Tyvek + OSB where the outer face of the OSB has the felt material applied.
The felt material application depicts a typical 36" roll with 2" of overlap.
The change to the way I’m handling the gypsum material is a significant upgrade and allows for usage of custom materials from the material library within the global settings.
The current Wall Plugin ToDo list as of 10/29/2018:
1.) Gable Walls (Standard and Shed) [in progress]
2.) Stair Module (straight run then landings and complex shapes) [in progress]
3.) Estimating [in progress]
4.) Adv. Gypsum (multi-layer gypsum both sides of int. walls)
5.) Custom width of king and trimmer studs for doors, windows and garage doors.
6.) Transom windows above doors (rectangle and arch)
7.) Additional door types (bifold, sliding glass, pocket doors)
8.) Join/Split Wall Tools
9.) Wall Stretch Tool
10.) Wall Grouping
11.) Wall Dropper
12.) Engineering
13.) Levels/Stories Manager
14.) Interior painting of gypsum
15.) Wall justification in draw wall tool.
16.) Gypsum backer studs at tee intersections
17.) Interior Trim (crown molding, baseboard, chair rails, wainscoting)
18.) Global Settings (8 new tabs) [in progress]
19.) Shear Wall Module
Some of these are extremely high priority and some of these are much lower on the list.
Version 0.9.8j - 10.30.2018
- Advanced layers (headers, kings and trimmers) enabled for door, window and garage door framing.
Somehow along the way I setup advanced layers for the framing however they did not get fully implemented until now.
I am a general contractor in upstate NY. The Medeek wall and truss plugin is by far one of the best plugin’s available for use with sketchup. I have been using it for additions and the time I save using these two plugins is unbelievable. I can now do a set of prints that took me 3 hours to do now only takes 1/2 hour.
Thanks Nathan for developing theses great plugin, and for always doing updates and improvements.
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With balloon framed gable walls one often sees a lot of trapezoidal picture windows used in these walls:
I need a little more guidance on the most typical way these openings are framed out. If a header is installed it would have to be inclined and would follow the pitch of the roof.
Any framing details or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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Notation layer
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Version 0.9.9 - 10.30.2018
- Enabled custom window header and trimmer widths within draw and edit menus.
- Added king and trimmer width parameters to Windows tab of global settings.
- Fixed a bug with insulation positioned above windows where trimmer quantity is greater than one.
This addition was per customer request. I will probably add the same two additional parameters for doors and garage doors in the very near future.
On a somewhat related note to the last post I’m looking at various photos of typical residential framing and I’ve noticed that many framers will include a plate below or above the header or both:
Any thoughts on this?
Do I need to add this in as another option?
I was taught it’s to provide solid wood to nail the inside finish trim to IF the header isn’t full wall thickness. It seems to me, if the header is two members, and one is flush outside, and the other is flush inside, that does the trick too, but insulation these days often means both pushed flush to the outside, void to the inside which you can fill with rigid foam insulation, and trim doesn’t nail to GWB and foam very well.
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Sounds like I need to provide the option for a header top plate and header bottom plate, (not sure what the exact terminology for these plates should be).
I can use either one parameter with four possible options or two parameters with two options each:
Built-up Header: NO|TOP|BTM|BOTH
or
Header Top Plate: YES|NO
Header Btm Plate: YES|NO
Which would you prefer?
I would prefer that latter, personally.
PROCORE project management (incl. drawings)
Are you familiar with this software?
Could you envision including project/drawing management in the future?
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