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Messages - Medeek

#2326
Version 1.5.9 - 05.29.2016
- Increased top chord pitch limit from 12/12 to 18/12 for the following Scissor truss types, configurations: (2/2, 4/4).
- Heel web logic revised to accommodate steeper pitches for bottom and top chords of scissor trusses.
- Increased top chord pitch limit from 12/12 to 18/12 for valley truss sets.

16/12:12/12 Scissor Truss with an 18" raised heel:



Notice that the steep pitch of the bottom chord changes the way the heel web and bottom chord meet at the bearing point.  The additional logic listed in the changelog notes deals specifically with this issue.

View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model.html?id=6c14d6c0-14c3-44cc-ba76-e4771fbfa936
#2327
Gambrel Attic (metric) GUI



I also show the industry standard feet-inches-sixteenths.
#2328
Version 1.5.8 - 05.22.2016
- Added metric input for Gambrel Attic truss type.
- Added a graphical user interface (GUI) for metric gambrel attic geometry input.
#2329
This map shows where the Truss Plugin is being utilized:

http://design.medeek.com/calculator/sketchup/data/medeektrusspluginusermap.pl

Note, this is only registered users and not all installations of the trial version.  Also note that addresses have been dumbed down to City, State, Country so that the privacy of registered users is upheld.
#2330
Coffer Truss Algorithm:



This is assuming that the coffer span is centered on the truss.  A non-centered coffer algorithm could get significantly more interesting and difficult.
#2331
Version 1.5.7 - 05.15.2016
- Added Scissor truss type, configurations: (4/2, 6/4).
- Structural outlookers (vert. & horz.) enabled under advanced roof options for Scissor (4/2, 6/4) truss types.



View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model.html?id=620e816e-d809-4732-a19f-e425b4cc17fc

I also updated the pause in the truss selector GUI from 700 ms to 400 ms.  Still more work to be done with raised heels and structural outlookers for some of these configurations but its getting close.
#2332
A quick study of a double inverted truss by taking two 24' howe trusses and joining them to form a double truss.  Note that the 4:12 pitch of the original trusses is maintained and the interior vault is exactly 8:12 pitch. 



View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model.html?id=d1f62979-cea5-42f0-97e4-16309098928a

My question with this configuration is how the top and bottom chords at the peak should butt up?  For example should the bottom chords at the peak have a double scarf cut or a single scarf cut?  Some shop drawings would help in determining what is common practice.
#2333
For large agricultural buildings a double inverted truss can be employed to provide a large vaulted span for machinery:



I am wondering if this truss type is still commonly used by anyone for this type of application and whether it would be of interest, enough for me to add it into the growing list of trusses within the plugin.

Also if anyone has any shop drawings they could send me that would be very helpful. 
#2334
Version 1.5.6 - 05.11.2016
- The plugin now automatically checks for updates.
- Option added in Global Settings to adjust frequency of "check for updates" or to disable this feature entirely.

I've also added in the Open Joist (TriForce) floor truss but it is not quite ready for release so I have disabled it until the next version release. 
#2335
I am wondering how many of your designers/architects/contractors/builders out there have used Open Joist products?

http://www.openjoisttriforce.com/

I was thinking I might add their product line to the Floor Joist/Truss module.

#2336
This is the level of detail I am aiming for with the advanced options for gambrel attic roofs (minus the truss plates):



Notice the structural outlookers with gable end trusses and the prow roof (option).  I've got my work cut out for me.
#2337
With the graphical menus you will notice a slight delay once the "submit" button is clicked.  This is to allow for a quick display of a status message, however I'm finding this delay to be annoying and may eliminate it altogether to speed the use of the new GUI.

Also note that with gambrel attic trusses the non-graphical geometry menu is still an option if you turn off the GUI flag in the global settings.  For some people this may be easier but I think the new preview pane is a major design asset when it comes to this type of roof.

I'm thinking it might be useful to implement this same type of preview/GUI for regular attic trusses so that one can preview the configuration before committing.  Now that I've been down this road once it won't be such a struggle.  Most of the other truss types are fairly simple and a preview image is probably not warranted unless the users say otherwise. 

I feel that the preview window goes a long way in helping explain what each term is in the input geometry menu but I may also add in some pop up windows (?) that display diagrams or other explanatory notes to help the less educated users.

#2338
Version 1.5.5 - 04.29.2016
- Added Gambrel Attic truss type, configurations: (AUTO w/ piggyback trusses).
- Added a graphical user interface (GUI) for gambrel attic geometry input.



A reset button would be useful to return the GUI to the default values.  There is still a lot of work to be done with the gambrel attic truss type:

- Advanced Options
- Gable Trusses
- Default or Reset Button
- Metric Input

View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model.html?id=fc8be11c-8bb1-4e60-a73e-5ba62628ae95
#2339
Updated screenshot of the gambrel attic menu:



This is getting pretty close to the final form that this menu will take. 

It's actually really amazing what can be done with SVG and javascript, definitely not my forte but after this exercise I feel like I can probably construct anything with this combo if required.
#2340
Here is a preview of the Geometry Input (GUI) menu for the upcoming gambrel attic truss.



Notice the preview pane which gives a basic profile of the truss and attic space.  I still need to add some dimensions and some other symbols (pitch, bearing walls, etc...) to the preview graphics but it is mostly there and functioning quite admirably. 

The GUI is html with javascript and SVG (scalable vector graphics) for the image.  The nice thing is that changing any of the inputs will instantly update the dimensions and preview image allowing one to fine tune the truss geometry before proceeding further.  For gambrel roofs this ability to adjust the proportions of the roof relative to each other is very important in my opinion.  See my previous gambrel study here:

http://design.medeek.com/resources/truss/gambrelroofstudy.html

Since the menu is primarily composed of html, javascript and SVG you can actually beta test it external to SketchUp here:

http://design.medeek.com/resources/gambrel/web_dialog_gambrel_attic.html