Version 1.4.4 - 03.21.2016
- Added Polynesian truss type, configurations: (4/4).
- Metric input enabled for polynesian truss type.
- Added gable end trusses for polynesian truss type.



I'm not sure where this type of truss is commonly used but whenever I see one I think of a bus stop or train station:



Advanced options are not yet enabled for this truss type yet, so sheathing, fascia, rake will have to come later.

Polynesian 4/4 truss is working:



However, I haven't released this latest update yet, I still need to enable gable end trusses and advanced options for this truss type before it is ready for prime time.

The inputs are similar to all other truss types except you have two top chord pitches and a pitch break length measured from the left butt cut of the truss.

Version 1.4.3 - 03.20.2016
- Added Scissor truss type, configuration: (6/6).
- Added energy/raised heels for scissor trusses (2 variants: wedge and vertical w/ strut).
- Addressed some minor usability issues with the scissor truss menu and options.



View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model.html?id=u8ca4bf44-f28a-481e-8c1e-b53de30e3696

Thinking about dormers today and attic trusses:





View model here:


https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model.html?id=ud50cb83e-54fc-42b0-9b57-0a5691b1c678


2-ply girder trusses on each side of the dormer with ladder framing between.  I haven't bothered to show all of the main floor framing geometry (doors, windows, stairs etc...)  My question is what would be the best route for the infill framing above the dormers.


1.)  Ladder frame perpendicular to trusses.
2.)  Install a ridgeboard hangered between the girder trusses and a lower header and install rafters parallel to the trusses?


Note that the manual creation of the dormers took about an hour whereas the attic truss main roof and dormer roof were created with the plugin and only took about 5-10 minutes.  A dormer routine would be useful.

Version 1.4.2 - 03.19.2016
- Added energy/raised heels for attic trusses (1 variant: vertical w/ strut).
- Addressed some minor usability issues with the attic truss menu and options.



View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model.html?id=u4f64fd8b-160f-49ce-815d-a66991527cdb

I've had quite a few people asking for this update so stayed up most of the night and knocked it out.  Note, that the raised heel option is currently limited to attic trusses with a span of 24 ft. or greater.  The reason for this is the way my logic currently works with spliced top chords.  If this becomes an issue I will spend some more time on it to encompass attic trusses with a lesser span.  I still do not have the gable truss, metric input or structural outlookers for this truss type, yet more items for the "todo" list.

This is a re-visit of the unequal pitch hip roof a few days back.  Larry Belk, an experienced architect whose advice I highly regard, has suggested that an alternative way to handle this type of roof is to raise the top plate and thereby allow the overhang to remain constant around the roof:



View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model.html?id=u24f241c6-d493-45cb-9506-d025d7ebd795

Compare with hip roof 7: 



and model:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model.html?id=uc12480ec-9330-464b-93eb-56bc73878207

A few things pop out at me here. 
First the raised top plate method allows the constant overhang with the continuous fascia, overall this is more aesthetically pleasing.
Second the hip rafter is no longer at the corner but is jogged in some amount onto the higher wall.
Third, the higher wall actually is protruding through the sheathing of the lower pitched roof in the model.  Obviously the higher wall needs to be trimmed back some to deal with this.

For the plugin I think I will probably go with option 1 above initially but at some point it would be good to have a checkbox that allows one to choose either of these two options, the code is going to get ugly.

I've been considering transition trusses and what it might take to add them into the plugin.  Below is a quick study of this type of roof.  I am curious to know if a common truss is butted up next to a transition truss for sheathing purposes.  Also notice the scissor transition, this situation is a little complicated, not exactly sure how to deal with it.



View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model.html?id=ue1772e6a-eb97-4775-b9f8-d12e3e134ba3

For clarity I have removed all of the common trusses in the image below:



I think it would look something like this:



however I think the framing at the lower peak would be more correct if the top chord members abut like this:

Coming up on the 6 month anniversary of the plugin (April 7).  I'm pretty excited with the amount of work I've been able to do on it.  I would really like to get to some more big items on the list like secondary roofs and dormers but that will take a few days of uninterrupted programming which is really hard to come by at the moment.  Lately, I have been addressing mostly minor items that I can knock out in a a couple of hours.  I usually don't start into a big project unless I think I can complete it in one go since it is really hard to partially complete it and then try to jump back into it at a later date.  The higher the complexity the more this holds true.

Version 1.4.1 - 03.16.2016
- Added Soffit Cut within Advanced Options for Gable Roof and Gable Roof w/ GLB.

Version 1.4.0 - 03.15.2016
- Added LP Solidstart® I-joists: 450, 530, 18, 36, 56.
- Rim joist option enabled for LPI floor joists.

Version 1.3.9 - 03.14.2016
- Out-to-out span of trusses in the trial version are now limited to a range of: 16 ft. (5m) - 32 ft. (9m).

Another study of hip roof framing where unequal pitches meet at the hip. The birdsmouth cut is 3.5" for all jack and common rafters. The hip rafter is dropped and off center so that it lines up with the roof planes. The hip roof combines a 12:12 pitch with a 6:12 pitch.



View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model.html?id=uc12480ec-9330-464b-93eb-56bc73878207

This is a study of hip roof framing where unequal pitches meet at the hip (90 deg. to each other). In this case the birdsmouth cut is 3.5" for all jack and common rafters. The hip rafter is dropped and off center so that it lines up with the roof planes.

I assumed that the governing design criteria was that the sub-fascia line up hence the steeper pitch roof has a smaller overhang.



View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model.html?id=ue065475f-8b68-4434-a933-776055f50175

I haven't gone through and created the calculations yet for the plugin but the one thing that jumped out at me was the necessity to offset the hip rafter slightly from the hip centerline when a dropped hip rafter is employed.  Please review the model and let me know if there are any problems with the way this comes together.

Version 1.3.8 - 03.10.2016
- Added wireframe (temporary) graphics to the truss positioning tool.
- Added Boise Cascade BCI® I-joists: 4500, 5000, 6000, 6500, 60, 90.
- Rim joist option enabled for BCI floor joists.
- Removed drop down list for all overhang lengths (truss & rafter roofs). Overhangs are now users inserted values.



The screenshot above shows the wireframe that is displayed for common truss types.