Version 1.5.7c - 07.23.2020
- Fixed a bug with certain wall sheathing materials as applied to gable, hip and shed walls.
There are those who may prefer the zip panels applied vertically.
Shep
1 Like
I’ll have to come up with the vertical option.
Um, I hate to ask this, but I have a drudgery task to ask. There have gotten to be so may tool palettes, I get bewildered, and the “Tool Tips” (are they called? - floating text when you hover over a palette tool) are inconsistent if present at all. Any chance that someday, if you need a less mentally challenging task than making 3D things from algorithms, you could tidy up those text clues? Sorry, I know you’ve got a lot more interesting things on your to do list.
I used BeamMac and FrameMac for years, and Forte more recently. Typically, you have to draw and dimension your structural elements of interest, and then regenerate them in the other software from the dimensions in your diagram. The idea of doing that stuff right inside SketchUp is really cool.
1 Like
I used to use Forte quite a bit when I was doing a lot of residential structural work. I’m not happy they moved to a web based app from a desktop app, but supposedly the program has the same capabilities.
My idea with the engineering module is to allow the user to quickly do structural checks without the additional data entry to another program like Forte. A lot of my time was taken up doing exactly that. If you can do your design and engineering all within one platform that would speed things up. It’s not just the dimensions, its also the bearing points, material (lumber grade), number of ply and size (or type).
The issue with the tool tips is specific to the MacOS. On windows the tool tips are displayed as they should. I still have not gotten a resolution on this. I’m hoping one of these days SketchUp will fix the issue.
At some point it would be really nice where the model could propagate the loads throughout the entire structure.
For example you might have a roof which has a certain snow load assigned to it and it is then supported by beams or walls. If the plugin is smart enough it could then calculate the lbs/ft (plf) of load imposed along each wall or beam and then auto assign those loads for the beam or header checks. If you have a multi-story building it would then pick up the loads from the roofs, floors and walls above the calculated member and save the engineer and architect a lot of work trying to trace loads throughout the structure, this always took up a lot of my time.
1 Like
Oh, I didn’t realize that.
1 Like
Yes, and it is rather annoying. The issue is with SketchUp but there is probably a workaround if I dig hard enough for one.
I have started a separate thread for the Medeek Engineering extension:
This is taking the concept of a wall to a new level:
I am wondering what happens to the floor joists that terminate at this opening in the floor though.
This opening in the floor is practically a work of art, its almost a shame to sheetrock it over.
Seams too short for a stairwell, but what else could it be… if that’s a 6’ ladder then looks to be 12’ between floors. I suppose there is some foreshortening going on in the photo. You’re right it’s work to be proud of.
1 Like
That looks like overkill on the number of studs. I’m all for doing everything well, but whatever the finishes are can probably bend to the desired shape with 1/2 to 1/3 as many studs, at least on the outside wall.
2 Likes
I agree. Going with the assumption (I know never assume) that it’s for a stair well, I would have cut the plates on CNC marked the studs out on the radii of the curves matched one for one, one at beginning of each step and one at the middle, if that makes sense. As for the joists I don’t know, to many unknowns.
1 Like
Version 1.5.8 - 08.01.2020
- Fixed a bug with all wall assemblies when auto-assigment of materials is turned off in the global settings.
Those curved walls are a thing of beauty, no doubt. With the floor joists I guess they would just butt into the curved rim joist and rest (bear) on the curved stud wall.
The framers would throw in a temporary straight wall section to support the joists. They would leave the joists long and leave the floor ply overhanging.
We built the tread assemblies in the shop and bring them out to the job site
5 Likes
