Hello My name is Daylon. I am looking for an expert to help me create a plugin or maybe even just a profile in profile builder 4 to help me build deck stairs more efficiently. I am a builder and I use SketchUp to design decks and help me get my materials lists made. I feel like there would be a way to create a system where I can basically drag my mouse from one point to another, and it would automatically build my stairs the way that I always build my stairs. Such that after I have built them once ( setting parameters for my stringers, blocking, overhangs, fascia’s, etc.) it would automatically build that out, saving me hundreds of hours, because I just always have to start from scratch but I have a suspicion that I am wasting time. I don’t want a generic stair building plugin because all they do is provide the look of stairs for the model. I am specifically wanting the steps to be built using my own building method, and include all the components of my steps so that i can get a materials list built rapidly and repeatably. I thank anybody in advance for pointing me in the right direction! Would love an opportunity to be walked through the process to create this profile
Welcome to the forum @daylonw777 ,
I moved your post to the “Commercial and collaborative work” section of the forum.
It suits better for the help you seek and you might get more answers over there…
Herman.
Do you have a photo of a staircase model you want to create in Profile Builder?
yup, do you have some examples?
I am programmer from ‘SketchFramer’ plugin
(construct building from profiles, https://www.sketchframer.com/)
maybe I could help you with this task
The first picture is the framing only, second picture shows with my azek fascias installed, third is the deck boards
The goal would be that as I drag my staircase, it would automatically adjust the riser height so that they are all even depending on my total height. similar to the way i can drag a railing in profile builder and it automatically adjusts the length of each railing section. Only with this tool it would be building every component in my stair case ( stringers, fascias, deck boards).
It seems to me that a building a SketchUp Dynamic Component might be a good solution. The images of the SketchUp models you posted make it clear what you want the finished stairs to look like … and you have well defined stringers and framing (2xX?), Azek fascia (3/8" thick?) and Azek deck boards / stair treads (1"x5 1/2"?). This Deck Stair Dynamic Component would have a Component Option window with places for you to enter the Finished Height of the Stairs, Finished Width of the Stairs, Finished Length of the Stairs and the Number of Steps. Then, using your standard stringer, fascia and tread materials … the Dynamic Component would construct the stairs. The output would look like the stairs in your third image. And, if you don’t like the looks, any of the parameters could be easily adjusted to get just the “right” look.
Dynamic Components are not for the faint of heart … but they can be good solutions for well defined design problems … and your deck stairs seem to a good fit.
As an example, below is a screenshot of a Dynamic Component that I developed for a company in the UK that does oak pergolas.
I also did a Dynamic Component for their standard oak gazebos … and another one for their standard oak porches.
Please send me a DM if you would like to pursue development of a Deck Stair Dynamic Component.