The same stacked windows as below but with the insulation included:



I haven't finished the window/door stacking algorithm yet but it occurred to me that window over door is the most common configuration and not the other way around.  In fact, I really see no reason to have a door over door algorithm either.  Correct me if I'm wrong.

A study of intersecting roof planes and trusses:

View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/bcdaff92-ddbb-4deb-be3f-0b75971414f5/45-Degree-Valley-Set

I didn't spend any time trimming truss tails or worrying about the sheathing or cladding, I was mostly interested in the truss layout and roof planes.

Note that I created the tertiary roof plane in order to then draw a solid (temp rafter) which I then used as the primary roof plane for the second valley set (45 degree).

I've colored all of the temp geometry transparently so you can dissect the model a little easier.

I'm not entirely sure if this is how a truss manufacturer would actually handle this type of situation, but this is my best guess.

Version 1.1.8 - 01.06.2020
- Added a "Stud Spacing Offset" parameter which allows for custom stud spacing/placement.
- Enabled stacked windows within a wall panel.





View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/403dcf25-54b8-4795-8bbf-45f8e8fe6fcc/Stacked-Windows

Both of these items have been on the to-do list for quite some time and together constitute a fairly substantial upgrade to the functionality of the plugin.  The offset parameter has been requested numerous times over the last few weeks.

This update does not yet allow for stacking of windows/doors or doors/doors.  However, now that the logic path has been established I should be able to enable these additional possibilities much more quickly.  I will see if I can knock this one out this coming week.

My original algorithm was too simplistic, it did not account for multiple window stacks within a wall panel, now I have that resolved:



The final step is to make sure that the blocking and insulation modules are compatible with stacked windows.  As can be seen in this screen capture there is still an issue with stacked windows and blocking (right side).

Something that I have had on the to-do list for quite a while but have avoided it due to the many permutations and pitfalls: Stacked Windows



I have some additional testing to do, but so long as the windows line up (same x-position along wall) and they are the same width (as shown) then the algorithm seems to be successful.

The real problems arise when the windows partially overlap, or even if they are aligned but the windows widths are different. Those type of scenarios create all kinds of framing permutations which then becomes a real can of worms for the logic. I may eventually tackle it but for now I'm going to make some simple assumptions, so that I don't become too bogged down with this problem.

What would be the appropriate 2D electrical symbol for this 4 port USB charging outlet?



Its not really a duplex outlet anymore.

Version 1.1.3 - 01.01.2020
- Added additional (120V, 20A) outlets to the built-in outlet library.

This update includes various (20A) USB and GFCI outlets.

For the floor covering module I think an option for 2 or 3 layers should be sufficient for most cases:



In this case I am modeling/representing the carpet and its pad.

Tile floors usually require some time of cement board underlayment.

Pergo and hardwood floors may also have an underlayment of some type or another.

Openings cut in the floor assembly will also cut through the floor coverings if they intersect.  This will allow for interior holes within a floor covering.

As we begin a new decade the number of licensed users of the Truss plugin is currently at 1,200.  The plugin is now just over 4 years old, it will be interesting to see what we can do with it and the other plugins of the mdkBIM suite in this coming year.



I am looking forward to completing the complex roof module as well as bringing the truss side of the house up to par with the rafter side within this module.

Beyond that, it is the new floor plugin and project plugin as well as completing some key items with the wall plugin. 

Wishing everyone a happy and prosperous New Year.

So far this is a total of four toolbars.  I may need one additional toolbar for misc. items such as mid-span blocking and/or a blocking tool, but I can address these items later once I have established the core functionality of the plugin.

Am I missing anything obvious?

First look at the floor beam toolbar:



1.)  Draw Floor Beam
2.)  Move Floor Beam
3.)  Edit Floor Beam
4.)  Delete Floor Beam

If the floor beams align with the joists/trusses things are fairly straightforward, however if the in-floor beams are perpendicular or oblique to the joists this becomes a bit more interesting. 

I will have to give some serious thought to this module in order to make it as flexible as possible.

First look at the floor covering toolbar:



1.)  Draw Floor Covering
2.)  Move Floor Covering
3.)  Edit Floor Covering
4.)  Delete Floor Covering

The colors are a little bright for me, I may have to subdue them a bit to get the right look.

First look at the floor opening toolbar:



1.)  Draw Floor Opening
2.)  Move Floor Opening
3.)  Edit Floor Opening
4.)  Delete Floor Opening

First look at the main toolbar for the plugin:



1.) Draw Floor
2.) Edit Floor
3.) Move Floor Edge
4.) Edit Rim Joist
5.) Engineering
6.) Global Settings

Most of these tools are fairly self explanatory, number 4 is probably the most interesting.  I will allow the user to customize each rim joist per floor edge (if desired), or remove it entirely.  This will come in useful where there are multiple floor assemblies abutted next to each other.

There will also be additional context menu tools (ie. regen floor assembly).  One context menu tool I am thinking about adding in is a way to select a given edge as the starting point for the floor joists/trusses.  This will allow the direction and spacing of the floor joists to be aligned to any edge along the floor outline.

There will need to be another completely separate toolbar and tools that deals specifically with holes cut into the floor.

Lots of little details to still work out and even though much of the code base can be recycled from the other plugins there is still a lot of work involved to produce a completely new plugin with the capabilities that I envision for this new architectural tool.

Version 1.1.7b - 12.25.2019
- Enabled temporary (construction) dimensions for the wall split tool.
- Added a vertical offset to the holdown symbol(s) to eliminate Z-fighting with the wall panel top plate.