Version 2.5.0 - 09.28.2019
- Fixed a critical performance bug that affects all the modules within the extension.
- Added the Complex Roofs toolbar.

*** CRITICAL PERFORMANCE UPDATE ***

If you are noticing a slowdown of the plugin performance after multiple edits to a roof or floor assembly, this fix will resolve that issue. This issue affects all previous versions of the plugin.

***

Also note that the complex roof toolbar is now active and will allow you to create a complex roof primitive (edit, move edge, edit outline and regen).  The "Edit Roof Plane" tool is currently not yet available.

The roof primitive and roof outline are placed on separate layers, I will get into that more with a  future tutorial video.  I primarily released this update tonight because of the performance issue I discovered this afternoon with all of the plugins, but it also allows some of you more adventurous designers the ability to test out the new complex roof tools.  Granted a lot remains to be done but at least I've got a start into it now.  I will be focused on it until it is complete.  After that I will attack the secondary roof module. 

Version 1.1.4 - 09.28.2019
- Fixed a critical performance bug that affects all the modules within the extension.


*** CRITICAL PERFORMANCE UPDATE ***

If you are noticing a slowdown of the plugin performance after multiple edits to a wall assembly, this fix will resolve that issue.  This issue affects all previous versions of the plugin.

Version 1.0.8 - 09.28.2019
- Fixed a critical performance bug that affects all the modules within the extension.


*** CRITICAL PERFORMANCE UPDATE ***

If you are noticing a slowdown of the plugin performance after multiple edits to an electrical fixture, this fix will resolve that issue.  This issue affects all previous versions of the plugin.

Even the most convoluted shapes will generate a roof so long as they are closed polygons:



However, I currently don't have a way to create a roof with inner polygons (holes), for example a donut shaped roof.  I don't think this is critical right now but I will put this on my todo list.

Just fixed a major performance bug/flaw in the plugin not only for this module but actually for all the plugins.  I will be releasing updates for each plugin including the Truss plugin that resolve this issue.

Currently working on the roof plane edit tool.

Version 1.5.2 - 09.28.2019
- Fixed a critical performance bug that affects all the modules within the extension.


*** CRITICAL PERFORMANCE UPDATE ***

If you are noticing a slowdown of the plugin performance after multiple edits to a foundation assembly or footing, this fix will resolve that issue.  This issue affects all previous versions of the plugin.

Still working on the trying to break the roof plane (primitive) algorithm.  I've added in a bit more error checking code.  It will probably be a couple more days of testing to make sure it is bullet proof or mostly bullet proof.

The edit, move edge and edit outline tools and functions are now all working.  The next item of business is the roof plane edit tool.

First look at the Complex Roofs toolbar:



I have removed the complex roof (draw) icon from the main toolbar.

The "Edit Complex Roof" tool will allow the user to manage all of the basic and advanced options for the overall roof.  The "Edit Roof Plane" tool will allow the user to select a specific roof plane and edit its specific parameters:

- pitch
- top plate height (vertical offset with respect to the main roof)
- overhang
- birdcut
- rafter depth

If a roof plane meets certain criteria the option to switch the roof plane to an end gable will also be allowed.  I have yet to work out all the details or algorithm which will determine whether a roof plane meets this criteria but I do have a pretty good idea on this one, however it may need some fine tuning.

If a roof plane is converted to a gable configuration then additional parameters for gable roofs will be presented in the roof plane edit menu (ie. gable overhang, outlookers, etc...)

Complex octagon roofs are going to get interesting when it gets to the framing:





I will be adding in a separate toolbar for complex roofs with the following tools:


- Draw Complex Roof
- Edit Complex Roof
- Move Roof Edge
- Edit Roof Plane


Some of these tools can also be accessed via the context menu by right clicking on the roof assembly.

You can also eliminate entire roof planes simply by merging the edges of the roof:

First look at moving a roof edge:



Now I need to setup a similar system which will allow certain roof planes to be toggled between hip, gable, dutch gable and half hip.  I think I will keep it simple and just start with the gable and hip options first.

Even with only the roof primitive this is already shaping up to be a fairly powerful tool.  I like that the entire roof is parametric, I really dislike limitations, both for myself and for the designers who use my plugins.

First look at a complex roof primitive created with the complex roof module:



The roof primitive will be placed on the hidden layer and the roof outline (blue colored face) will be placed on the outline layer.  The outline layer is important since it allows the moving of the roof edges.  Both of these layers are normally turned off but can be turned on manually at any time.

View the model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/10c5d29f-eee3-4ff7-8fbc-0686d6e9bc16/Complex-Roof-Test-1

So far the algorithm for generating the roof planes (roof primitive) seems pretty stable, I will have to try harder to break it.

The next step will be the edit functions and then sheathing and cladding, those are the easy ones.  After that it is on to sub-fascia, soffit & fascia and gutters. 

The most difficult algorithms will be the framing and the hip & ridge.

Version 1.1.3 - 09.23.2019
- Fixed a bug with the placement of Simpson's DTT2Z holdown and replaced included component with a low poly version.
- Added the option for Titen HD holdown anchor bolts: THD50500H, THD50600H, THD50800H, THD501200H, THD501400H, THD501500H.

This particular design for a storage unit was originally created by me about four years ago for a local client here in Western Washington.  I had another purchase of this planset from my website and the customer requested that I also provide the 3D model so I thought this might be a good opportunity to test out the plugins and see what difficulties I would encounter with a fairly simple but large model:



Framing:



Wall Framing and Foundation:



The floor plan (originally drawn in AutoCad):



View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/11cf8d48-a861-4887-b7b5-3dc26a09772c/MEDEEK-STORAGE8443

This planset can be purchased here:  http://design.medeek.com/plans/search.pl

Overall the process of creating the model went quite smoothly, I was pleasantly surprised.  However I did note a few things:

1.)  When you have a large wall and are putting an excessive amount of doors or windows into it the regen time starts to become noticeable.  Not sure what the fix is here but I will give it some thought.

2.)  With extremely large truss assemblies it may be advantageous to turn off the metal connector plates, the model gets a bit heavy and regen times are also affected.

3.)  I need to add in more light fixtures (ie. external wall packs)

4.)  There is currently no way to add a vent or window into a gable truss.  This had to be done manually.

5.)  The Simpson holdown DTT2Z was not being properly rotated, additionally I needed to utilized a Titen HD bolt in this model, I will address that this evening and release and update of the Wall plugin shortly.

6.)  Anchor bolts typically need to be manually moved around and deleted.  It would be nice to figure out a way for the plugin to preserve the manual manipulations even with a regen when the assembly is edited.

7.)  I don't have a way to deal with two wall intersecting each other in a "CROSS", in the model I simply had them pass through each other.  I will need to give this some further thought.

8.)  I don't like the way I am creating/managing the components for slab reinforcement (mesh or rebar).  I will need to change this up slightly.  It works but performance suffers on large SOG foundations.

9.)  Obviously I need to spend some time further integrating the estimating module, that would be really nice for generating a materials list.

10.) The parametrics of all of the plugins is really nice and to be honest, essential. 

11.)  I manually copied over some more gutter downspouts since I need more for this long gutter run.  By adding CUSTOM into the instance name I am able to maintain these additional downspouts even with a regen of the truss assembly.

First look at the Draw menu for a complex rafter roof:



When you first click the complex roof icon you are first presented with the initial selection menu:



Once you click the rafter roof option you are then given the draw menu.

I now have the initial supporting infrastructure and templates in place, in other words the boring stuff (ie. attribute library storage and retrieval, draw and edit menus, polygon tool for point selection, global settings).

Now begins the much more challenging and exciting part of the development, establishing the roof planes and the actual geometry creation algorithms.

Working in earnest on the complex roof module today after spending about two months overhauling the foundation plugin.

As I'm putting together this module I'm starting with a clean slate and trying to take advantage of all my behind the scenes and UI improvements I've made with the updates to foundation plugin and even the electrical plugin.  All of the menus for this module will be HTML.  Many of the editing and move tools will be brought over from the recent work on the foundation plugin.

The basic parameters that will define the complex roof overall geometry and roof planes are:

- polygon outline (provided by a face or a locus of user selected points)
- pitch
- overhang
- birdcut
- rafter depth

Additional basic parameters will be:

- rafter width
- ridgeboard depth
- ridgeboard width
- hip rafter depth
- hip rafter width
- valley rafter depth
- valley rafter width

- framing option: Yes/No
- advanced roof options

If the advanced roof options are enabled then the roof planes are actually further defined by the sub-fascia width since in two of three sub-fascia types the roof sheathing (plane) actually extends over the sub-fascia.

The advanced roof options will include:  sheathing, cladding, sub-fascia, hip-and-ridge, gutters and soffit & fascia.  The number of parameter required for all of these options is too numerous to list here.  Future advanced parameters might include: gypsum, ceiling joists, heel blocking

Once a complex roof assembly is created it then can be edited by selecting various roof planes and customizing that roof planes particular parameters. 

The roof plane edit tool will allow the user to adjust the follow parameters specifically for that roof plane or eave/edge:

- pitch
- birdcut
- rafter depth
- Overhang OR Delta Height (vertical height of supporting top plate)

Additionally certain roof planes will be convertable from a hip configuration to a gable configuration.  Once a roof edge/plane is converted to a gable it will then need to be editable with a different "gable" menu, which will include a whole host of gable specific parameters (ie. outlookers, gable overhang, wall sheathing, wall cladding etc...)

Similar to the "Move SOG Edge" tool with the foundation plugin I will also have a "Move Roof Eave" tool that allows the user to move the roof outline around by picking an edge and dragging it perpendicular in or out.  This should make resizing a roof a breeze. 

I will also have the "Edit Roof Outline" context menu tool which will allow the user to actually edit the polygon that defines the roof outline.

I'm posting this update not only for you but also for me as it is helping me organize some of my own thoughts about what direction I need to take this new development.  Any feedback or suggestions on what I have proposed thus far for this new module is very much welcomed.

Just to be clear this module is something I have been trying to accomplish within this plugin since I began coding it almost four years ago.  This is the Holy Grail of the Medeek Truss extension.  If I can pull this off successfully then I have actually accomplished something.