Version 1.0.5 - 05.30.2025
- Added the ability to stretch opening headers with the "Stretch Floor Header" tool.

Tutorial 25 - Stretching Opening Headers (7:50 min.)

Here is a quick mock up of a window wall in SketchUp (circa. 2016). This is before I had the wall and foundation extensions completed, however the roof was actually drawn using the Medeek Truss plugin (that did save me some time). This model helped visualize what was going on with this specific design and also helped me quickly realize that there were some areas that needed special attention.



The room below the window wall was actually just a rather tall crawl space but note how the load path of the in-wall columns extend down through the crawl space wall and then the resulting spread footings below them. The columns are supporting the roof glulam beams and as a result are relatively loaded.

Notice the rear wall and how many openings it has, a bit tough to make this design actually work (shear). I also ran into my first real encounter with interior shear walls. With interior shear walls it is important that they extend up into the attic space and complete the load path with the roof diaphragm.



I've also attached a related shearwall fix where the contractor did not initially include a double sill plate. Physical, on-site inspections of the framing were always a requirement, a lot of the times there were quality or other issues that needed addressing. Or in some cases the contractor did not fully understand the intent or requirements of the structural plans.

Before I ever ventured into the plugin development world I did quite a bit of residential structural work. Since then I've pretty much switched hats and now my entire focus is on the extension development.

As a resource to other designers, architects and engineers I may occasionally post a few examples of structural work I've done over the years. Most of this work was done about 10 years ago. Note that I've removed any private or identifying information. Additionally these examples are for Educational Purposes ONLY and are not intended as a specific engineering solution for any other project or plan. Let me know if any of this is helpful or useful and I might be inclined to post a few more examples.

Here is a simple braced wall plan detail:

Version 4.0.1 - 05.29.2025
- Added five additional layers to the Layers tab of the Global Settings for stair assemblies.
- Added a "Stair Layers" option into the Layers tab of the Global Settings in order to toggle the stair layers "On" or "Off".

Tutorial 71 - Layers/Tags for Stairs (4:02 min.)

Version 4.0.0b - 05.28.2025
- Enabled "green" pressure treated lumber within the stair module.

Version 1.0.4 - 05.26.2025
- Enabled joist hangers for openings.



Tutorial 24 - Joist Hangers and Openings (7:58 min.)

Version 1.0.3 - 05.25.2025
- Enabled I-Joist floor headers for openings.

Tutorial 23 - Joist Removal (8:06 min.)

Version 1.0.2b - 05.23.2025
-Updated the joist removal function for more granular usage when working with staggered joists.

I apologize for all of these micro updates, I would have preferred to roll this out after adding a few more features etc... However, the user who requested this specific ability obviously needs it to complete their project so it is simply a matter of expediency.



Now one can not only specify a single line of joists to remove but also remove specific joists from a given line, see screenshot above and note the syntax in the Remove Joists field.

Turn on the framing callouts.

Version 1.0.2 - 05.22.2025
- Enabled multi-ply floor headers for openings.
- Enabled variable lengths for staggered joists.





You can now enter in a single value for the joist length or you can enter in a list of lengths deliminated by commas. This update per user request.

Did you turn on these other options in the menu?

The Floor Opening toolbar will now contain a sixth tool called "Stretch Header" which will allow the user to stretch the opening headers in a more intuitive fashion:



I'm not really wanting to add more icons to my already bloated toolbars but I feel like this will be a very worthwhile tool and it will almost certainly makes everyone's life a little easier when it comes to these openings.

I've been giving the feedback I received thus far on the new opening tool some serious thought  and after further testing I can see that adjusting the header extensions to reach out and grab the correct joist is probably the biggest bottle neck in the process, if you can call it that.

Below is an example of a six sided L-shaped opening in a floor.  It has three headers and three "trimmers".  Note that headers run perpendicular to the joists however the opening tool really makes no distinction between headers and trimmers, they all have the same ten parameters.



I had to make five entries to adjust the headers to meet the I-Joists as shown.  Really not that difficult but somewhat time consuming and tedious in my opinion.  The solution to this problem could be to have the plugin somehow detect the nearest joist and auto-extend to it.  However, I feel that such an algorithm would be overly complicated and probably not very robust.

The other option would be to create a "Header Stretch" tool that allow the user to simply mouse over the header, select one end or the other and then stretch it to the desired location.  This tool would be very similar to the "Wall Stretch" tool that is part of the Wall plugin.  Rather than navigating through the labyrinth of menus one could simply adjust each end with only three mouse clicks.

Again, I have my work cut out for me.

I've also realized that it is not readily apparent to the user which header is which.  I may need to incorporate some sort of labeling option that will assist with this.