Tutorial 31 - Custom Window and Door Casings (15:42 min.)



It's crazy to think that about seven years ago I started these plugins (Oct. 2015) and really had no idea where this might go.  With the SketchUp API I've managed to turn SketchUp into a program or environment where you can automatically generate architectural geometry that would normally take a program like Revit or Chief Architect.  The API along with the full Ruby language essentially makes it possible to customize SketchUp in just about any way possible, which is what makes it so powerful and fun to tinker with.

Thank-you SketchUp and all the people along the way who created this amazing 3D drawing environment and for me a programmer's paradise.

Version 2.9.8 - 08.13.2022
- Added a "Label Rotation" parameter for all wall types (0 or 180 degrees).
- Added a default "Label Rotation" parameter into the General tab of the Global Settings.

Version 2.9.7 - 08.09.2022
- Enabled the following CUSTOM casings for rectangular windows: CUSTOM, CUSTOM D, CUSTOM F, CUSTOM G.
- Added a thumbnail preview into the edit and draw window menus showing the custom casing profiles.
- Added a thumbnail preview into the Window tab of the Global Settings and added the custom profile parameter.
- Added a STYLE G casing option for rectangular windows.
- Fixed a compatibility bug with CUSTOM door casings.



View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/6522c941-2ad8-421c-948c-e5d39dbf34ca/Custom-Window-Casings

First look at Style G applied to a window:

Version 2.9.6 - 08.07.2022
- Added STYLE G and CUSTOM G casing options for rectangular doors.



I had to add in these two styles since they are used in our own home.  I think I have finally beaten this horse to death but if there are any other styles you feel should be added please feel free to contact me or post them here.

The profile for the upper molding is found in the "system" sub-folder of the "library" folder.  It can be edited and customized by the user.  The file name is: CM_HEADER.skp

Version 2.9.5 - 08.06.2022
- Enabled CUSTOM door casings for arched doors.
- Added CUSTOM D and CUSTOM F door casing options for rectangular doors.

Version 2.9.4 - 08.05.2022
- Enabled CUSTOM door casings for rectangular doors.
- Added a thumbnail preview into the edit and draw door menus showing the custom casing profiles.
- Added a thumbnail preview into the Door tab of the Global Settings and added the custom profile parameter.





Additional profiles can be added into the "casings" sub-folder of the "library" folder within the plugin folder.  Placement of the profile is important, so best practice is to open one of the two examples within this sub-folder and duplicate its positioning and grouping.

I will still need to enable this feature for arched doors and all window types, so much more work is yet to be done in this regard.  It seems there is never a lack of work when it comes to this plugin.

First look at custom casings:





Notice that when CUSTOM casing is specified for the Casing Style, the edit or draw menu will provide a preview of the profile as shown.

Now I need to work on enabling this for arched doors and also updating the global settings with this new option.

So this is a little off the beaten path for me, usually I am posting about one of my plugins, but here goes anyways.  Since Covid started a couple years back I've had to give up on going to the gym and instead have managed to cobble together a fairly decent personal gym in my garage.  I've got a treadmill, a couple benches and some dumbells and other free weights.  It actually isn't too bad of a setup.

The only thing I have really been missing is a decent lat pulldown machine.  I was about to purchase one on Amazon but after reading a lot of reviews it seems that a good quality machine will come at a not so good price.  That being said I thought it might be interesting and fun to try and build one instead with my teenage boys (get them off their games for once).  Here is my first crack at a design:



My biggest issue or concern is rigidity and stability.  Don't need this thing toppling over on me or one of the kids.  I also haven't shown the hardware in the model yet but it will be pretty simple, a couple of pulleys, wire rope and the 10 lbs pulldown bar.

The link to the model is below if you care to take it for a spin:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/6ecb6e6a-715a-4946-9820-21105f31be5f/Lat-Pulldown-Machine

Comments?

P.S.  When it comes to strength and rigidity my concern is largely due to the amount of weight I typically pull (120 - 175 lbs) on a machine like this.  I will probably construct it with glue and screws, but it may need more bracing with OSB or plywood.

After some further thought to window and door casings (interior trim) I realized it would be useful to enable a system whereby the user could essentially create their own profiles and add them into the plugin (library folder) themselves.

I will probably include some pre-added profiles like the 365 and a few other common ones, but this way it will be much more flexible for the user and customizable.



I will start with the door casings first and then add this feature to the window module after.

Progress is slow but steady.

Version 1.8.8 - 07.31.2022
- Added a "Regen" context menu item for column footings and stemwall step assemblies.
- Added the ability to customize the texture/material for stemwall foundations.
- Added a "Stemwall Texture" parameter into the Materials tab of the global settings.







The "4x8 form" texture option was per customer request.

Version 1.8.7 - 07.31.2022
- Added slab depressions for rectangular and polygon slab assemblies.
- Enabled editing, moving and deleting of slab depressions for all slab assemblies.
- Added a "Regen" context menu item for polygon slab on grade (SOG) and slab assemblies.

Version 2.9.3 - 07.29.2022
- Enabled independent control of exterior and interior stud depths for staggered stud walls (rectangular only).



Previously staggered studs were auto-calculated and one could not independently control the stud depth for the exterior and interior studs.  This latest update allows for granular control of the stud depths and makes the staggered stud feature more flexible and useful.

Version 2.9.2 - 07.24.2022
- Added one additional raised header configuration for windows and doors.





The "RAISED2" configuration removes the plate directly below the header.  This update per customer request.