Version 3.2.7 - 08.25.2023
- Updated steel studs and plates for all wall types.
- Fixed a bug in the statistics module for the gable walls.



Previously the steel studs and plates were merely cosmetic, now the are modeled a bit more realistically (however less attractively in my opinion).  This update was specifically requested by users who specialize in steel stud framing and who wanted a more accurate model (stud length and channels for top and bottom plates) when it comes to steel framing.  The plugin was never initially designed for steel framing and because of that I still consider the steel framing option more of a cosmetic model than an actual realistic model, but this latest update gets us a little closer to that objective.

Tutorial 40 - Stacked Windows (10:40 min.)

Version 3.2.6 - 08.09.2023
- Fixed a bug with stacked openings and plan dimensions.
- Added "Subtractive Framing" to the Wall tab of the Global Settings.
- Enabled "SUBTRACT_FRAMING" custom boolean subtraction for all wall types.

This now gives us a workaround for non-aligned stacked windows and doors.  This update per customer request.

Tutorial 24: Complex Roof Discussion and Limitations (10:43 min.)

Tutorial 39 - Wall Panelization (8:52 min.)

Version 3.2.5b - 08.06.2023
- Added a hotkey (Up key) to toggle wall panelization ON or OFF within the Draw Wall tool/menu.

Version 3.2.5 - 08.06.2023
- Added two parameters to the Walls tab of the Global Settings for Wall Panelization.
- Enabled wall panelization for rectangular walls.

Version 3.2.4 - 08.02.2023
- Fixed a minor bug with the SW module and SW materials.

Version 1.1.2 - 08.01.2023
- Updated the estimating module to provide location data (within a wall) for windows, doors, garage doors and in-wall columns.

First look at the updated Medeek Wall Tools II toolbar:

Version 3.2.3 - 07.30.2023
- Updated the stats logging for all wall types in order for the estimating module to provide more granular data for wall top plates.

Version 1.1.1 - 07.30.2023
- Updated the estimating module to provide more granular data for wall top plates.

*Note:  If this updated version is installed then Version 3.2.3 of the Wall plugin is required in order to obtain wall top plate data.

This update per customer request.

Most of the most recent updates to the Wall plugin have come from the users of the plugins but this morning after sitting down for a quick breakfast and just pondering the wall drawing process, in particular the usual method of drawing external walls, I came to a sudden realization of sorts.

Most of the time the designer/architect has already figured out the basic outline of the structure (ie. the polygon or polyline that will determine the placement of the external walls).  In SketchUp a closed polyline can be represented as a face.

The current draw wall tool is very similar to the polyline stemwall tool in the foundation plugin, the user carefully picks the points that constitute the wall perimeter, one point at a time.  Overall this method is not bad in my opinion and is reasonably speedy however what if one could simply click a face (of a polygon that is perpendicular to the z-axis) and then the wall plugin simply traced around the polygon and drew all of the walls automatically.

This tool would achieve two things:

1.)  It would be quicker than picking one point at a time and for a complex perimeter would be a significant time saver.
2.)  It would also help eliminate errors in picking the points one by one.

Thoughts?

P.S.
Along the same lines I've also thought about a similar algorithm for drawing interior walls however the issue there becomes which way does the wall face (ext vs. int) when it is drawn.  This is where the designer has to make some decisions and I don't really have a good way to automate this or somehow predict what the designer would do in each case.

P.P.S
This same "Face" algorithm will also be used in the new Floor plugin, so rather than having to pick each point to create a new floor assembly the user can alternatively just pick a pre-constructed face.

Version 3.2.2 - 07.26.2023
- Enabled the use of custom materials for sheathing, cladding and gypsum within the Sheathing tab of the Global Settings.
- Enabled the use of custom materials for cavity insulation within the Insulation tab of the Global Settings.

This update per customer request.