Medeek Wall

[medeek]

Version 3.9.8 - 05.04.2025

• Added the Connect Corner tool to the Medeek Wall Tools II toolbar.
• Updated the Opening Copy tool with the left and right hand slider window.
• Fixed a specific bug related to glulam columns with a vertical offset equal to the wall bottom plate thickness.

Tutorial 69 - Connect Corner Tool (9:12 min.)

Medeek Wall Plugin Tutorial 69 - Connect Corner Tool

The updated toolbar now has six icons:

[WALLMAXX]

Always awesome!

I’m really leaning into Sketchup as a back up and maybe replacement to Chief Architect. Your pluggins / extensions make things great for the accurate level of detail I want.

Keep up the great work.

[medeek]

I think Chief still has me beat in a number of ways but when it comes down to the details, especially the “framing” details I think I am putting up a pretty good fight. In my mind Chief is too much of a “blackbox” and does not allow enough control to the users, both in the details and in just free form modeling. If Chief was smart they would open up their program with an API like SketchUp has done. However, I don’t think they will ever be able to compete when it comes to the sheer joy and ease of modeling in SketchUp.

Admittedly, the automation in the construction document creation arena is where Chief is quite powerful. SketchUp could compete better if Layout also had a real time API and was given a tune up (upgrade). When it comes to an architectural platform SketchUp just needs a slightly better Layout (more robust, more stable, more speed and a few more features) and it will then completely crush the competition.

Can you tell I’m a little biased.

[patrick.c.obrien]

Hi Nathaniel, great new tool you have just added the connect corner tool.

This will be very useful for both internal and external wall layouts. Thank you

[medeek]

In conjunction with the chord angle parameter for arched openings I’m also introducing an Excel based spreadsheet that allows one to quickly explore the different configurations an arched opening can take:

Medeek Design Inc. - Resources

Normally I require that you purchase a Medeek Toolbox key to gain access to these calculators and spreadsheets however if you are license holder of the Medeek Wall plugin and would like this simple spreadsheet for arched openings, just shoot me a quick email and I will send it to you.

[medeek]

I’ve had a number of requests for this type of window configuration:

I’ve had to give this one a lot of thought because it could have seriously over complicated the window module (notice the shared header over both windows and the lack of king studs between the windows).

After putting on my thinking cap for two days I think I may have come up with a fairly decent solution that does not over complicate the existing window menus for people who do not need to deal with this unique situation. However for those that do, this should offer a flexible enough solution (with some additional adjusting, a tutorial video will explain this further.)

Note that the model shown was not drawn manually, everything is parametric, as it should be.

Since this is such a significant change (in the code) I will need to spend a day or two testing it a bit more thoroughly, but I am quite pleased with what I have thus far.

On a completely different note, the corner connection tool added in Version 3.9.8 was initially unable to adjust the corner angles for non-orthogonal walls. However, this next update will resolve that issue.

[medeek]

Version 3.9.9 - 05.09.2025

• Updated the Connect Corner tool to work with non-orthogonal walls.
• Fixed a bug with the in-wall column tool for gable walls.
• Enabled Advanced Framing Options within the window module.
• Added the Advanced Framing Options parameter within the Windows tab of the global settings.
• Fixed the callout for right handed slider (OX) windows.
• Enabled zero stool extensions and zero stool projections for all window casing options.

[medeek]

Tutorial 70 - Advanced Framing Options for Windows (11:03 min.)

Medeek Wall Plugin Tutorial 70 - Advanced Framing Options for Windows

[medeek]

Version 3.9.9b - 05.09.2025

• Enabled backward compatibility with existing windows (advanced framing options).

!!! CRITICAL BUG FIX !!!
When I rolled this out last night I forgot to add exactly one line of code which would have made sure that all previous windows were backward compatible with the recent inclusion of the advanced framing options. Please update your installation to this latest version if you have recently installed Version 3.9.9. My apologies for this major inconvenience and my somehow missing this with the initial release of this new feature.

[medeek]

I suppose one could gang together as many window units as one would like, but two or three is probably the practical limit from a structural standpoint.

Here is a three-gang of windows with one header, utilizing the recent advanced framing options:

[medeek]

Version 4.0.0 - 05.27.2025

• Enabled “green” pressure treated lumber in the global settings.
• Fixed a bug with trimmer studs for trapezoid windows.

[medeek]

Version 4.0.0b - 05.28.2025

• Enabled “green” pressure treated lumber within the stair module.

[medeek]

Version 4.0.1 - 05.29.2025

• Added five additional layers to the Layers tab of the Global Settings for stair assemblies.
• Added a “Stair Layers” option into the Layers tab of the Global Settings in order to toggle the stair layers “On” or “Off”.

Tutorial 71 - Layers/Tags for Stairs (4:02 min.)

Medeek Wall Plugin Tutorial 71 - Layers/Tags for Stairs

[medeek]

Version 4.0.2 - 06.01.2025

• Added a bottom gap parameter to the draw and edit menu of the door module.
• Added the bottom gap parameter to the door tab of the global settings.

Update per customer request.

Now it is possible to customize the bottom gap to accommodate thick carpets or flooring. Previously this was hardcoded in as 3/8 of an inch.

[medeek]

Version 4.0.3 - 07.03.2025

• Fixed a long standing bug (06/27/2023) with the edit dimension tool for framing dimensions (rectangular walls).

[medeek]

Version 4.0.4 - 07.13.2025

• Added the following steel post types to the post module: Round (HSS), Pipe (NPS).

I’m not sure why I never added a “pipe” option in before, I guess no one ever asked until now.

I will need to add more sizes but I now have the most commonly used sizes from 3" to 6" DIA.

[ateliernab]

please don’t… double post. it’s against forum rules

[medeek]

Version 4.0.4b - 07.14.2025

• Added springfield plates to the post base and post cap libraries (for 3.5" and 4.0" pipe).
• Added the following Simpson post caps to the post module: LLC35_35, LCC35_4, LCC45_35, LCC45_4, LCC525_35, LCC525_4, LCC6_35, LCC6_4, LCC7_35, LCC7_4.

If I’m going to add in this new “pipe” post then it stands to reason that I also add some appropriate bases and caps to match.

[medeek]

Version 4.0.4c - 07.15.2025

• Added the following Simpson Strong-Tie holdowns to the wall, column and shearwall modules: HDUE3, HDUE5, HDUE7, HDUE9, HDUE13, HDUE17.

Looks like Simpson added this new replacement for the HDU holdown in May of this year. I just noticed this morning so I added them in.

Stronger Than Ever: The New HDUE™ Holdown from Simpson Strong-Tie.

Note that these are low poly versions of the holdowns based directly off of the geometry provided on Simpson’s website.

[medeek]

Version 4.0.5 - 07.16.2025

• Fixed a bug with quadruple end wall studs (applies to all wall types).
• Added the following Simpson Strong-Tie pre-assembled anchor bolts to the wall, column and shearwall modules: PAB6-12, PAB6-18, PAB6-24, PAB6-30, PAB6-36, PAB7-12, PAB7-18, PAB7-24, PAB7-30, PAB7-36, PAB8-12, PAB8-18, PAB8-24, PAB8-30, PAB8-36, PAB10-12, PAB10-18, PAB10-24, PAB10-30, PAB10-36.
• Added the HTTH6.5 holdown to the built-in holdown library.

Note, that these anchor bolts come in five different lengths (12, 18, 24, 30 and 36). I did not add in the 1/2 and 5/8 dia. anchor bolts since this option is primarily chosen when a much larger anchor bolt is needed, but do let me know if you would like to see them added in.

Just playing catch up on a number of items after spending three or so weeks on the HVAC plugin. Undoubtedly, I am spread a bit thin these days with six plugins now under active development.