I think you are right, I will set it up in the global settings so the global defaults can be set but also allow the user to change these values on a per wall basis.
Here is a preview of the global settings (Insulation tab) with the new parameters:
I think you are right, I will set it up in the global settings so the global defaults can be set but also allow the user to change these values on a per wall basis.
Here is a preview of the global settings (Insulation tab) with the new parameters:
I toured a couple projects this year by a local AIA/CT member that is now all in on ICFs. I haven’t done one, but they are intereting.
Looks like I have the Draw and Edit menus updated with the new ICF options:
May need a little fine tuning but it seems to be working mostly correctly.
It would probably be a good idea to add in some error checking code so that the interior and exterior ICF insulation thickness does not exceed the wall depth. I find if I don’t add in these sorts of checks sooner or later someone will cause the plugin to throw an error, and eliminating unnecessary support calls and emails is the name of the game.
Version 3.0.8 - 01.03.2023
ALERT! - CRITICAL BUG FIX
The bug associated with the upgrade that brought you plan view dimensions will cause the plugin to abort during regeneration when installing garage doors into a wall. It is highly recommended that you install this latest update which addresses this bug and a couple more minor bugs with the plan view dimension feature.
P.S.
Looks like I need to add in the concrete layer in the Global Settings, I always miss something.
Version 3.0.8b - 01.03.2023
The Wall plugin has now seen about 250 updates or revisions since it was first released in May of 2018. It is not as old as the Truss plugin (2015) but it has seen almost as many updates and fixes and is beginning to rival the Truss plugin in overall complexity and capabilities.
It always seems like there is more that can be done though, and even though both of these plugins have come quite a ways in the last few years there is still so much more to be done, especially with the Truss plugin.
As most of you know I am behind schedule on my much anticipated Floor plugin due to a major back injury a few months ago (Sept.) but I am hoping to really put some solid work into that new plugin so that it is at least as impressive as the Foundation plugin right from the get go. We will see how it all shakes out, but I have big plans for it.
With the new addition of the ICF wall type it quickly makes me realize that the estimating module will need to play catch up on these alternative wall construction types (ie. CMU, ICF, CMU Core etc…), so yes, still a lot of work to be done in that regard.
Then there is the engineering side of things which I would really like see come to fruition in the near future. I’m not sure how familiar many of you are with Weyerhauser’s Forte app. I’ve actually used it a lot in my own engineering practice, along with my own spreadsheets. My goal is to essentially integrate basic engineering capabilities (like Forte) into all of the plugins, especially the Wall and Floor plugins (ie. headers, beams, posts, joists).
This new year will probably be another busy year with lots of updates and hopefully a new plugin or two. I am looking forward to a very productive 2023.
I think some of us are just as excited as you are! Thank you so much for your hard work, and we implore you not to overdo your back.
Well this is interesting:
These versions they have hacked are quite old so I’m not too worried but it is interesting that my plugins are useful enough to warrant hacking by someone.
Flashy box, too!
I actually do kind of like the box. Maybe for the next Basecamp if I setup a booth I will sell boxed copies like this which include a DVD hard copy and a actual physical/printed manual.
P.S.
And a decal/sticker with just my logo on it.
They’re selling it for 40,000rp (IDR - Indonesian Rupiah?)
That’s $2.56
Something to consider during development of the floor plugin, would be that stairs could automatically cut the floor system above to generate an accurate hole in the floor. I’m assuming you could use the minimum ceiling height above the stairs already generated with the “wall code” tag. This was a feature of Softplan that I used to use before switching to SketchUp Pro, and was definitely a time saver.
This is why I included the blue (transparent) zone for the stairs, which shows the minimum height/clearance needed for the stairs. Having it cut the floor automatically may be another option, I will take this into consideration.
Version 3.0.9 - 01.05.2023
Looking back at a an engineering project I did a few years ago now, my goal was to be able to model this type of wall with the Medeek Wall plugin:
I think we are getting very close.
Ah yes, the old window in the middle when there’s a ridge beam problem. Honestly, the engineering of that wall is more interesting than the finished result.
Personally I never loved this design, but it was the architects vision and I was just making sure it worked. I would have rather eliminated the hangers for that short beam and somehow had it directly bearing on posts/trimmers. However the architect didn’t want the walls to thick between the windows and he also wanted mostly windows in this wall. The hangers checked out by the numbers but a positive bearing is always better in my opinion.
The big glulam beam is holding up the entire roof, so yes there is quite a bit of load on it which also makes the short beam with its hangers a critical element in the structure. I would love to go back now and see how this has fared, are there any cracks in the drywall around these windows…
P.S.
That is one thing I miss about doing a lot of structural work locally. I would get to go on site and actually poke around and examine all of this stuff, fun times.
The window in the middle keeps coming up again and again but with different variations. One time, instead of one 3 or 4 ply ridge beam at the ridge in the middle, I split it into 2 and 2 just off the ridge and put them right on top of the posts between the windows which meant the rafters cantilevered up to the ridge. It also can’t be flush framed, so the beams are prominent, but it worked out there.
I guess the structural issue comes from the cathedral ceiling? I’m not an engineer or an architect.
Yes, from cathedral ceiling. Without a ridge, the outer walls will bow out and the ridge will sag. I’ve seen it happen too. Rafter ties are another solution as are flying buttresses, but I’ve never seen them on anything but a cathedral.