You’ve got some good ideas on this. I like the idea of a vertical tool, something along the lines of the current move opening tool. Let me give this some more thought.
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this would be a game changer for me.
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Version 3.8.4 - 01.14.2025
- Added a minimum winder depth parameter for all stair winder types.
- Adjusted the deck handrail algorithm for narrow cap rails (2x4).
One can also set this parameter to zero if desired but the local building departments may not like the design. The 2024 IRC has a 6" minimum so that is the default value for this parameter.
Note that this parameter only applies to L, U and Angle winders, it does not apply to any other landing types. For the 3 step L winder and the 6 step U winder the parameter is multiplied by 1.75 (6.0 → 10.5) to get the required seperation distance. For a U winder the resulting separation between the runs of stairs will be either 12.0 or 21.0 inches at the default 6 inch setting. Of course this can now be adjusted to any value.
Also an FYI. I’m testing out Discord (Medeek Channel) for those who want to chat more interactively. I can’t guarantee I will be on all the time so this is a bit experimental:
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I’ve covered this material before but only in passing. I’ve been told by a number of architects and designers that they feel like my extensions are too detailed for their typical workflow.
The point of this video is to explain that various workflows can be accommodated and that the full framing of the structure is not necessary or a requirement. One can easily work in and stay in “no framing” mode and never draw a single stud within the model. Hopefully this video answers a few questions on how best to tailor the plugin to one’s needs and “level of detail”.
A few issues with open treads made me realize that the skirt board module needed updating to accommodate them:
I’m also adding in an additional parameter for riser overhang, which will be needed when a skirt board is installed.
For now the skirt board wrapping around the landing is manually drawn in, but at some point I may create a specific algorithm which can automatically calculate this and draw it.
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First look at cover (stair runner) being applied to a landing:
Creating the algorithm for a basic straight or L-shape landing isn’t too bad but the U-shape and winders will certainly be a bit more fun.
Hi Nathan, I’ve been a big fan of all your plugins and after watching the video I still think that the point of your plugin is to have a high level of details… as mention in your video you do offer lots of ways and option via tags to have less showing and anyone can preset a lot of these in the global settings if they wish too do so. For me I like having all the details that allow you to create a 3D cross section in order to have it so much more understandable to anyone looking a it via an actual picture. I do think that the wall plugin is getting a bit to heavy 
I like the fact that you decided to separate the floor from the truss plugin and as everyone can see by now the floor plugin is getting pretty extensive in options so that a good thing.
I like the way the plugins are split now –
1 - we have the Foundation Plugin which include :
- Interior Footings
- Slab Depressions
- Slab on Grade
- Stemwall Blockouts
- Stemwall Foundation
- Stemwall openings
- Brick Legde
2 - we have the now Floor Plugin which include a ton of options now and more coming
3 - we have the Wall Plugin which include :
- The new Wall Tools II icons
- The wall options for all the openings and settings
- The wall tools for editing
- The Shear wall options (2 different kinds)
- The Beams and Columns
- The Blocking
- And the Stairs plugin
To me this is where I would create a new group of plugin that would take a few of them out of the wall plugin and have a new one call misc. or detail plugin which would now include, the new Stairs Plugin and I would have the Wall Beams and Columns with it and later maybe even have the “Medeek Beam Eng. tools” that was kinda started but never really work on (I know that one is a big one !!)
The reason I’m saying this is simple, well to me When designing a house most of the time I design a floor layout for the client and than go from there. Only when we establish a good layout that I will pursue with foundation and roof and all other finer details, and to me Beams, Post, Deck and Stairs are at the bottom of my list when designing a house.
I think for most of us, the long time users of your plugins we became use to the evolution of the plugins your created and speaking for myself I love using all of them and been one to upgrade every single time you post a new update. I can see why someone new to them would be overwhelmed with all the options
The Stair plugin is getting way to big on its own and I’m sure there is more coming with railing so taking it out of the wall plugin would only make sense to me. Anyway I know its nice to have all the options in one plugin and either way I’ll have all the icon for them on my screen
The Truss plugin will eventually loss the floor option which is only a small part of it right now anyway.
I really think that when combine your plugins allow you to really create a thru model of a house that can be fully detailed and done really fast when someone is familiar with all the settings involved. I don’t know any other plugins out there right now that can do what yours do. I am slowly converting my drawings to be fully done in sketchup and your plugins will be a big part of that for me I plan on getting the lifetime license at some point since I’ve been upgrading every year now on all the plugins for few years which I don’t mind supporting your effort and hard work, you my friend have to be one of the fastest coder out there to actually remedy any bugs when discover by user like me I don’t know how many times I’ve sent you an email and within a day you had a fix for it, that is dedication if you ask me.
Anyway to all users of these wonderful plugins I hope you are as impress and satisfied with them as I am
Thanks Nathan for all your constant hard work on these…
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I agree, the stair module is probably substantial enough to warrant its own plugin at this point. I will certainly give this some serious consideration. The engineering plugin will also be a separate extension that will work with all of the other main extensions (Truss, Wall and Foundation).
Thank-you for your vote of confidence and kind words. I am coming up on 10 years (I started the Truss plugin in Oct. of 2015, almost accidentally). I never thought this would evolve into ten years of my life and ultimately my career but here I am and it seems there is still no end in sight with the number of things I need to develop and features I still need to add. All of the plugins are still a work in progress and probably will continue to be so for quite some time.
I also agree, the main point or focus of the extensions has always been to provide a detailed and dimensionally accurate model of your structure. I think that may be overwhelming or too much information for some designers and architects but at the end of the day that information can also be very useful. The point of my recent video was to demonstrate that even though the primary focus of the plugins (specifically the Wall plugin) is real-to-life detail, one can also tailor things within the plugin to meet the level of detail required.
I have a few minor updates left to wrap up with the stair module and then I will return to focus on the Floor plugin. After that I may decide to create a new Medeek Stair plugin, and then circle back to the Wall plugin briefly. After that I would like to spend a couple months focusing all of my efforts on integrating the estimating module better with all of the plugins, a lot of work remains to be done in that regard (foundation, truss and floor + estimator).
Once all of that is done, I would like to continue the development of the Medeek Engineering plugin and take many of my engineering tools found on my website and incorporate them directly into SketchUp via this new plugin. It would be fantastic if one could not only draw your spread footings in SketchUp but also run the numbers and generate a one page report (PDF output) with a few clicks of a button and without having to manually move data to a separate program for engineering analysis.
In 2012 I started my own Engineering practice in the State of Washington. In 2018 I essentially gave up my engineering practice to focus all of my time and energy on these plugins. All of this development is leading up to a fully integrated engineering package, that rolls design and engineering into a single, low cost package. This will be my final act or magnum opus.
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To get that first riser covered, just turn on the landing tread option:
Now the question is what do I do with winder steps, things get a little crazy here:
Is a landing tread typically used on winders? Or are there special winder treads that include the nosing?
I guess I’ve kind of gone done the rabbit hole with this stare module but it has been instructive. I now know way more about over-the-post handrail systems than I ever thought I would. In fact, I’m pretty confident I could properly install one if given the chance.
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Version 3.8.5 - 01.21.2025
- Updated the skirt boards to accommodate open treads.
- Added tread covers, carpet and stair runners for stairs, landings and winders.
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Tutorial 63 - Stair Runners and Tread Covers (10:06 min.)
Version 3.8.5b - 01.22.2025
- Fixed bugs within the stair module related to metric units.
First look at a 4-U-Winder with a stare runner:
The most complicated stair runner will be the six step U-winder:
Just a bit of an example of how the sausage is made.
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Version 3.8.5c - 01.24.2025
- Fixed minor bugs within the stair module.
- Added tread covers, carpet and stair runners for U-shaped winders.
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