Even in fully conventionally framed houses this type of "in wall column" situation is not uncommon.  Sometimes the beam will run inside the floor and no beam pocket is required in the wall below, other times the beam will run below the floor or roof joists and in such cases a beam pocket is fairly standard practice.

The column tool will allow for a number of configurations including PSL columns (standard sizes).  The designer can also specify independently the number of king studs (0,1, or 2) next to a column and their thickness.

The column can project above or below the wall, with the plates being cut out as needed.  If the column height is specified as "FULL" then no cut out of the top plates is done and the column runs up to the bottom of the top plates just like the other studs.

If certain sizes of lumber are specified (ie. 4x2, 6x2, 6x4) then the plugin recognizes that these are "on the flat" and will multi-lam them as so when more than one ply is specified.  So one can create multi-lam columns (ie. (3) 2x6) oriented parallel or perpendicular to the wall.

Similar to windows and doors the Column Edit Menu will allow you to edit any parameter of the column so that it is completely parametric.

A selection of wall columns possible with the new Column Tool:



I just need to add in the edit, move and delete tools to complete the Column Module, then I will release it.

Just a reminder that tomorrow is the last day of the June promotion:  Purchase the Wall Plugin and receive free licenses or license upgrades for both Truss and Foundation Plugin.

Quote from: kslifter on June 14, 2018, 09:36:28 AM
How would you use the plugin to create a building with a single slope?

I still have not yet added the gable and shed wall tool, this will be added in the next few weeks but I am first ironing out as many bugs and issues with the standard rectangular walls.

Version 0.7.8 - 06.14.2018
- Added the ability to create, load and delete wall presets within the Edit Wall (HTML) Menu.
- Fixed a bug within the auto-corner configuration module which caused issues for walls less than 36" in height.

Note that wall presets can only be currently loaded and applied after the fact (within the Wall Edit Menu).  My intent is to also make this feature available within the reworked Draw Tool within the next few days but I first want to introduce this feature within the Edit Menu and work out any potential pitfalls before rolling it out further.

I released the LT version of the plugin a couple days ago and I am surprised that no one has shown any interest in this lesser version of the plugin.

Just to clarify, it is a full featured version of the plugin without the internal wall framing, estimating and engineering components.  The ability to creating openings, windows, doors, exterior and interior cladding etc... is all there.

The intended audience of the LT version is architects and designers who do not need all of the nut and bolts of the design (how it goes together) and are concentrating more on the big picture.

Please let me know what would make the LT version more attractive to you the designer or architect.

There are really three functions in one here:  Loading, Saving and Deleting. 

Quite a bit of new code to implement the new presets system.  I'm still testing it out to make sure it is solid, but so far it is looking pretty good. 

Note, that it is possible to give a preset the exact same name as another preset, this is by design and they will both appear in the drop down list.  What you are not seeing in the drop down is the hidden number assigned to each preset which is stored in the presets file.  This number is really the identifier of the preset and allows one to correctly specify which preset you are wanting to load or delete.

Once this system is in place for the walls and fully tested and verified I will implement a similar system for windows and doors.

I have a number of minor fixes and bugs that are quite hot items right now that have been delayed due to my attention to this latest upgrade, I apologize for the delay in getting the fixes out, but I really feel that this UI upgrade is top priority right now.

This is the direction I am going with the Wall Edit Menu UI and Draw wall Tool:



Notice the wall presets section at the top of the UI, here you can delete, load or save a preset wall template.

The actual templates will be stored in a simple text file within a sub-folder called "presets", that way the user can also manually edit the wall preset file and even cut and paste presets from other users into their preset file.  This solution offers the most flexibility and user control in my opinion.

Loading a preset will re-populate all of the parameters in the form below except for the excluded items.

The save function will create a new preset (with user entered name/description) based on the currently listed parameters in the form.

Does this make sense? and the better question, am I missing anything here?

Hopefully this new addition of presets will speed up the wall creation process and spare the user from having to recreate a specific wall type from scratch each time they start a new model or session.

I still have not fully arrived at what the excluded parameters should be in the wall preset functions so please provide any feedback in this regard.

Version 0.7.7d - 06.10.2018
- Added 2D (construction or solid) line options for sheathing, cladding and gypsum within the global settings.
- Fixed a bug within the corner trim module (trim width).
- Added additional standard metric stud sizes: 36x68, 36x98, 36x148, 36x198, 48x72, 48x98, 48x148, 48x198

Version 0.7.7c - 06.09.2018
- Tyvek + OSB material added to the pre-installed plugin materials.
- Added 2D construction line options for sheathing, cladding and gypsum within the global settings.



Taking it a bit slow today, just a few minor items and some small fires to put out, catching a bit of a breather.

I'm actually not a big fan of Tyvek, at least not in our marine environment on the beach out here in western Washington but I do know it gets used a lot.  This is the OSB + TYVEK option:



Only the outside face of the sheathing gets the Tyvek material and the sheathing group gets the generic OSB material.

Version 0.7.7b - 06.09.2018

- Horizontal and Vertical plywood sheathing materials added to the pre-installed plugin materials.





I realize this a fairly insignificant item, but it was user requested and one of those things I could knock out in about 10 minutes or less.

I've been getting a lot of feedback on the UI lately, for good reason of course (it's terrible).

The wall draw tool with its multiple menus is what I am talking about.

After reviewing various suggestions and giving it some more thought I think the solution is two fold:

1.)  Go to an HTML menu, similar in design to the current edit menu that remains open during wall creation and allows the user to make changes during wall creation with the polyline tool (ie. changing wall height on specific wall segments that are in a drop down living room).

2.)  Enabling user presets where all of the basic and advanced parameters for a wall are saved to a user defined preset that can be instantly recalled within both the wall draw and edit menus.  For example, this would allow the user to quickly define and then recall a 2x6 ext. wall with a 1" air gap and brick cladding, rather than having to peruse through all of the settings every time and recreating the wheel just to put together a standard wall type.

Certain parameters would not be saved as part of a wall preset.  I haven't nailed down exactly which of those parameter to exclude but my first shot at it would be:

- Wall Length
- Wall Group
- Wall Framing (2D, 3D etc...)

Version 0.7.7 - 06.08.2018
- Created the Medeek Wall Plugin LT, a lighter version of the plugin with internal wall framing, estimating and engineering removed.
- Horizontal and Vertical sheathing materials added to the pre-installed plugin materials.



Note that the June promo does not apply to the LT version of the plugin

Version 0.7.6f - 06.07.2018
- Added the ability to lock the cursor to the X or Y axis for the "Draw Wall Tool" (line and polyline) by pressing the SHIFT key.
- Added the ability to lock the cursor to the 45 deg. and 135 deg. axis for the "Draw Wall Tool" (line and polyline) by pressing the CTRL key.

Also note that I fixed a couple of bugs I accidentally created when making the code adjustments for version 0.7.6e, I managed to break the plugin for all TRIAL users.

Therefore this is a critical update, please remove the prior version and install this version which will fix the error introduced last night.  This is what happens when I try to get too much done in one day.