The Medeek Truss Plugin

Introduction
What Can You Do with the Medeek Truss Plugin?
Audience
Usage Limits
Design Parameters - Truss Geometry
DOWNLOAD THE PLUGIN
Updates

Introduction

Welcome to the documentation for the Medeek Truss Plugin. The Medeek Truss Plugin is a SketchUp Plugin that provides a simple interface for creating accurate 3D truss geometry within SketchUp. This plugin utilizes the SketchUp Ruby API programming interface and is compatible with the latest SketchUp release (SketchUp Make 2015 64-bit and SketchUp Pro 2015 64-bit).

What Can You Do with the Medeek Truss Plugin

Currently, the plugin allows the creation of the following common truss types:

King Post (2/2)
Queen Post (4/2)
Fink (4/3)
Howe (4/4)

All of these truss types are drawn/designed utilizing industry standard practices for web location, web scarfs at joints and a 1/4" typical butt cut. Additional truss types are in the process of being added, as well additional customization and features such as raised energy heels.

The plugin allows for the user to create either a single truss or an array of trusses with user input for the number of trusses in the array and the on center spacing between trusses as shown below:

An array of fink trusses @ 24" on center

Additional programming to provide an option for gable end trusses will also be a feature added in future releases.

With the Medeek Truss Plugin, you can accurately depict typical roof trusses within SketchUp and better validate your architectural models.

Audience

This document is intended for architects, engineers, designers and homeowners who are using SketchUp as their primary 3D design tool. It provides an introduction to using the plugin and reference material on the available parameters/options for its use.

License and Limits of Use

The Medeek Truss Plugin is a proprietary softare developed for use with the SketchUp 3D modeling program. There are currently no limits to its use for both personal and commercial applications.

Design Parameters - Truss Geometry

The following items are typical design parameters than can be modified by the user to define the truss geometry during the truss creation process:

Truss Type (required) This item lists the common truss types that can be modeled within the plugin.
Out-to-out Span (required) Outside to outside of bearing walls that truss is spanning. This span is typically given in feet.
Top Chord Pitch (required) Vertical rise divided by horizontal run. This number is typically expressed as a ratio of incline (in.) to each 12 inches of run. For example 3:12, 4:12, 5:12 and so on. The plugin limits the roof pitch from 2.5:12 to 12:12.
Overhang (required) Distance the truss projects beyond the bearing wall (outside) in inches. The overhang can be within the range of 0 to 42 inches.
TC Size (required) Sets the depth of the top chord members of the truss in inches. Values are limited to nominal lumber sizes.
BC Size (required) Sets the depth of the bottom chord members of the truss in inches. Values are limited to nominal lumber sizes.
Web Size (required) Sets the depth of the web members of the truss in inches. Values are limited to nominal lumber sizes.
Ply Thickness (required) Sets the width of the truss members in inches. Values are not limited and the default is 1.5 inches for 2x lumber.

Additional parameters and options may be availabe for specific truss types.

Download

The Medeek Truss Plugin is currently under development and the user may encounter unintended behavior due to the addition of new features on a daily basis. Always backup your data to separate file names to provide redundancy in case of file corruption or other data loss scenarios.

For beta-testing purposes please download the plugin at the following link:

Updates

View the Medeek Truss Plugin Changlog for more information on updates to this plugin.

If you have any questions or concerns about the Medeek Truss Plugin please call us at 1-425-420-5715.