Version 2.0.4b - 04.18.2021

- Added missing HTML files to the plugin distribution for the custom beam library.

**** Critical Update *****
I added the custom beam library on Mar. 1st, however I must have forgotten to move the HTML files for adding and editing custom beams when I released Version 1.9.2.  No one noticed or at least did not notify me until yesterday.

The "Wall Copy" tool is the easiest method to copy properties between walls.  I think this is what you are looking for in regard to your second questions/feature request.

Honestly I'm not entirely sure if this will work, I've never actually tried it.

I would think you would be fine.  Just remember to edit the assembly you need to be inside of the component or group that it is nested inside.

There seems to be some interest in a "raised" header for windows and doors:



If there is enough interest it probably wouldn't be that hard to provide an another option which allows these openings to be framed in this manner.  My only questions are:

1.) What to do with stacked windows or stacked windows and doors?

2.)  What if the opening is in a shed or gable wall?  How should the raised header be framed, or is it even applicable?

View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/c97ad369-7fd7-48f7-a21a-7e0108ff5ce6/Raised-Header?tab=general

Some really nice work using the plugins by Carlos Pose (Spain):

Framing ISO:


Renderings:

Manual editing of an "assembly" has always been a can of worms for the plugins. The problem really is how does one actually track manual edits? I don't think you can realistically do this.

When the Wall plugin adds a door or window to a wall it must essentially redraw the entire assembly from scratch in order to recalc the studs, insulation, blocking and a few other things like cutting holes in sheathing and cladding. When you delete an opening the same process occurs.

In a nutshell what I am doing is deleting all of the geometry within the assembly (Group) and then completely redrawing it all. I do have a system in place whereby certain sub-groups can be retained within the main wall group/assembly. This is done by including the keyword "CUSTOM" in the sub-group's entity name. When you do this any group having this keyword will not be deleted (upon a regen) and will retain it's geometry, position and any properties and entities it contains.

So additive manual editing (ie. adding specific blocking, hardware etc...) can be accomplished with the plugins as they currently are. This is actually how the Electrical plugin is able to work with the wall, truss, and foundation assemblies. When you regen a wall you will notice that the electrical components/groups within that wall assembly do not disappear (the keyword for electrical components is different than CUSTOM).

You will also notice that if there is any un-grouped edges or faces inserted into a wall assembly those will also be retained by default, no key words necessary. The reason for this is that everything I place into the primary assembly is a group or component, so when I regen I only need to look for those entities (sub-groups) and delete them.

I will need to give manual edits some more thought. There is a possibility that I could employ some sort of comparative type of check that looks at every sub-group created and then compares it to any existing sub-group. The first problem that jumps out at me with this type of system is that it would be very computationally expensive and hence performance would take a hit (who wants a slow and sluggish plugin?).

I'm sure other developers have also given this some thought, but so far I have not found a satisfactory solution that will allow subtractive or modified manual edits within the plugin geometry while maintaining the parametric ability of the plugins.

Version 2.0.4 - 04.16.2021
- Fixed a bug involving wall presets and the vertical material offset parameter for rectangular walls.

The 3D board and batten siding is probably the one you are talking about.  I don't have a good solution on that one as far as seamless transitions between stacked walls yet.  I will need to give it some more thought.

I also just posted a model yesterday which demonstrates the material vertical offset parameter in practice for a couple of stacked walls.  I might have to make a tutorial for this feature but it does some fairly self explanatory to me.

View model here for a demonstration of the cladding material (vertical) offset parameter.

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/786a28ec-3fb7-43eb-80dc-7489624b46c8/Multi-Story-Construction?tab=general

Note that in this model I've adjusted the offset for both top and bottom walls.  I first adjusted the bottom wall cladding so that the first run of siding started at the bottom of the wall as it should.  I then adjusted the wall above it to match to the bottom wall.  I also turned on the option in the general tab of the global settings which hides the cladding edges, so the two walls appear to blend together.

Version 2.0.3b - 04.03.2021
- Added a vertical offset parameter for cladding materials for rectangular walls.
- Added a vertical offset parameter for "Log" and "Shiplap" cladding materials for rectangular walls.

This parameter will allow the custom vertical positioning of the cladding material/texture so that multi-story structures can be properly rendered.

**** CAUTION ****
This update adds one new parameters to the rectangular walls and will require the user to delete and recreate any rectangular wall presets. This upgrade does not affect gable wall or any other presets (ie. windows, door, garage, gable wall, shed wall, hip wall).

Version 2.0.3 - 04.03.2021
- Removed all limitations on wall height in the trial version of the plugin.

I decided that it was time for this overly draconian measure to go away.  I want people to enjoy using my plugins not add to their frustration levels.  There is still a 30 day time limit on the trial version, so not all limitations have been removed.

I've had some clients ask me about positioning the cladding material/texture on the cladding group (or face to be more precise). 

I just noticed that there is actually an API method for this operation:

https://ruby.sketchup.com/Sketchup/Face.html#position_material-instance_method

A vertical offset parameter for the material/texture would come in very useful when walls are stacked in a multi-story scenario and you want the siding or some other cladding to line up across multiple vertically stacked walls.

I learn something new everyday.

It appears in the API there might be a way to position the face vertically:

https://ruby.sketchup.com/Sketchup/Face.html#position_material-instance_method

I will need to test this further and see if it is something I can implement.

There is the manual option:

1.) Click into the group for the cladding.
2.) Click the face (exterior) that you want to manually edit.
3.) Apply the cladding material to this face.
4.) Right click on the face and mouse of "Texture", then selection "Position".
5.) User the red pin to position the image vertically on the face, this should allow you to fine tune the placement enough to make it match the other wall panels above or below the panel you are editing.

*Note:  Once you apply this manual edit any updates or edits to this wall panel will essentially reset the material on this face to the default position.

Tutorial 19 - Moldings (21:37 min.)