Version 3.2.2 - 07.26.2023
This update per customer request.
Most of the most recent updates to the Wall plugin have come from the users of the plugins but this morning after sitting down for a quick breakfast and just pondering the wall drawing process, in particular the usual method of drawing external walls, I came to a sudden realization of sorts.
Most of the time the designer/architect has already figured out the basic outline of the structure (ie. the polygon or polyline that will determine the placement of the external walls). In SketchUp a closed polyline can be represented as a face.
The current draw wall tool is very similar to the polyline stemwall tool in the foundation plugin, the user carefully picks the points that constitute the wall perimeter, one point at a time. Overall this method is not bad in my opinion and is reasonably speedy however what if one could simply click a face (of a polygon that is perpendicular to the z-axis) and then the wall plugin simply traced around the polygon and drew all of the walls automatically.
This tool would achieve two things:
1.) It would be quicker than picking one point at a time and for a complex perimeter would be a significant time saver.
2.) It would also help eliminate errors in picking the points one by one.
Thoughts?
P.S.
Along the same lines I’ve also thought about a similar algorithm for drawing interior walls however the issue there becomes which way does the wall face (ext vs. int) when it is drawn. This is where the designer has to make some decisions and I don’t really have a good way to automate this or somehow predict what the designer would do in each case.
P.P.S
This same “Face” algorithm will also be used in the new Floor plugin, so rather than having to pick each point to create a new floor assembly the user can alternatively just pick a pre-constructed face.
Another way in which this new tool would be beneficial is with designers who like to align the exterior walls to the outside edge of the sheathing instead of the framing. Once they have drawn the face representing the perimeter of the building they can quickly use the built in SketchUp offset tool to create a new offset perimeter for the walls and the use that interior face to then generate the exterior walls.
Once I get this new “Draw Wall Perimeter” tool setup I will have to demonstrate this ability.
I like this idea, and I also think it would be important to retain the ability to pick start and end point of the wall.
Yes, I like the idea. It’s also a mind blowing kind of thing when demonstrating to potential new users.
I agree, the regular draw tool would in no way be affected or altered, this would be a completely separate tool.
There is some concern that this tool would have limited usefulness as the basic outline of the structure might not be figured out yet in many design scenarios. I’m no architect but it seems that space planning starts with room placement and then massaging the design (wall placement) until the general layout of the interior and exterior walls takes shape and the criteria for various spaces is met. If the plugin is used in these early design phases then a tool like this will realistically have limited utility.
However, if a floor plan is already established and the user wants to then quickly throw up some walls (exterior), then this tool could probably be quite useful. A typical use example might be a floor plan coming in from some other CAD program or a PDF.
With the speed that this tool will add to the design process, I would find it quite useful. In my experience, the client usually has a “footprint” size in mind, which can be tweaked as needed, and the interior is sized to fit. With the ease of use of the other wall tools to move and adjust, we would be off to a speedy start.
Version 3.2.3 - 07.30.2023
First look at the updated Medeek Wall Tools II toolbar:
Version 3.2.4 - 08.02.2023
P.S.
The new updated toolbar was added but the perimeter tool is not live yet.
You tease!
For some reason I remember being able to choose from a list of holdowns and insert them anywhere at the click of a button, where did that go?
Did you mean to make the layer bars reset when you close and open the visibility tool?
Version 3.2.5 - 08.06.2023
Did you publish this at 3 in the morning?
Version 3.2.5b - 08.06.2023
Tutorial 39 - Wall Panelization (8:52 min.)
Version 3.2.6 - 08.09.2023
This now gives us a workaround for non-aligned stacked windows and doors. This update per customer request.
Tutorial 40 - Stacked Windows (10:40 min.)
I’ve had some complaints recently from certain customers who do not like the permanent licensing model or the subscription model. They would like a permanent “lifetime” license that would allow them to update to the latest version of the plugin without having to “renew” their license(s).
I guess I could probably do this sort of thing, have say a 30 year license, which gives the user free updates out until about 2055, of course by then the plugins will probably be obsolete or superseded by something even better but who knows, no one has a crystal ball I suppose. The question is what would be a fair price to charge for a Permanent Lifetime license?
That’s way too generous Nathaniel !
Nearly 30 years ago my partner and I purchased lifetime membership of the Youth Hostel Association back when you had to be a member to stay at a hostel.
15 / 20 years ago they changed the business model and membership was not required to stay and membership only entitled you to a small discount on stays.
2.5x the normal rate, at least. (I think 3x wouldn’t even be unreasonable.)
The 2.5x rates (assuming my math is right.)
