Under advanced options for gable roofs (truss and rafter) I am thinking about adding a "roof return" option.  Any thoughts on "greek returns":





The images above shows a roof return with a gable termination, alternatively this could end with a hip termination as in below:



Or with a full greek which stretches across the entire span:



Does anyone have any specific framing details on how best to frame these roof elements?

As far as the logic to add them into the plugin it won't be a big deal, just an additional module that plugs into the advanced roof module.

To simplify things I would used the same pitch on the returns as on the main roof.  The three variables would be:

1.)  Return Type: Gable, Hip, Full
2.)  Length of the Return
3.)  Extension beyond Rake

Same barn with a few more details.  For gambrel attic advanced options I should also include the option for a crow's beak as shown in this model and the option to set the extension.



View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model.html?id=1d1a6c57-08c4-46a4-a93e-9ae28b9f477e

https://www.kubity.com/p/uraGAJ

Testing the dormer (wall) feature out with a gambrel attic truss:



These dormers have a typical gable profile but it might be useful to have a gambrel dormer option as well to match with a gambrel style roof.  Note that I have not shown all of the ladder framing in the model.  On a roof like this it could get quite extensive.

To generate the dormer roof I just used my rafter roof feature and then trimmed the elements back manually. 

View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model.html?id=315004e6-6c2e-427e-981e-dc891371c77c

https://www.kubity.com/p/uCN2F6

Version 1.6.3 - 06.19.2016
- Added Gable Dormers to the Minor Roof Sub-Menu (dormer walls only).

For now only the walls of the dormer are created:



View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model.html?id=e17866e5-2e1d-4fb7-8203-fcb6484e8f08

I am still ironing out the details on how to best model the roof geometry.  I will probably offer either a rafter or truss option.  Other details such as multiple windows will also come later.

For now please test the metric and imperial wall creation.  I will probably need to post a tutorial video on how to use this feature since it involves selecting the main roof plane (top of a rafter or truss) and then two points that define the width/exterior corners of the dormer.

Outlookers oriented horizontally with gable end truss top chord dropped:



View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model.html?id=9f3dd430-1b90-435a-bfa6-f2bbe4d3e553

Hip Truss Algorithm:

With non-structural lookouts would you frame them something like this?  This question is mostly directed at the contractors and carpenters out in the field who actually have to build these roofs.  Typically as an engineer I never worry about these details especially when they are non-structural.



In my opinion they aren't really doing a whole lot, much better to drop the gable truss and then cantilever them from the first in board truss (ie. structural outlookers).

As previously noted the web dialog from the plugin can actually be used external to SketchUp to explore gambrel attic geometry:



Imperial Units:

http://design.medeek.com/resources/gambrel/web_dialog_gambrel_attic.html

Metric Units:

http://design.medeek.com/resources/gambrel/web_dialog_gambrel_attic_metric.html

I might develop this into a web based app which would allow one to generate 2D AutoCAD geometry (.dwg) of the truss profile.

Modified an existing truss roof to make it a half hip truss set:



View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model.html?id=6e2633ca-ebb2-4597-87e9-ba41b47a636f

This will be my first venture into more complex truss systems.  I figured I would cut my teeth on the half hip (Jerkin Head, Tudor Hip) truss set first before attacking the more complex full hip variants of which there are many.

After sketching this model up and examining the geometry I now have a number of questions:

1.  Are my roof planes correct?  Note that I have drawn the apex of the hip roofs at the edge of the last full truss and not at its centerline.  Not entirely sure what is common practice in this regard.

2.  I've shown some non-structural outlookers along the rake.  What would the outlookers along the half hip portion look like?

3.  If I use structural outlookers how would those be framed in over the hip section?

4.  Does the apex of the half hip typically coincide with the next truss or could it land somewhere between trusses?  ie. the half hip length is some multiple of the truss spacing.

5.  Is the hip section usually the same pitch as the rest of the roof?  There is really no reason why it has to be.

6.  As the length of the half hip increases the depth of the gable end truss decreases as does the first inboard truss.  What is the practical limit for the minimum depth of the first inboard truss?

7.  Does anyone have some shop drawings of this type of truss set that I can study?

Version 1.6.2 - 06.14.2016
- Added Symmetric Cathedral truss type, configurations: (AUTO).
- Metric input enabled for symmetric cathedral truss type.
- Added gable end trusses for symmetric cathedral truss type.
- Structural outlookers (vert. & horz.) enabled under advanced roof options for Symmetric Cathedral truss type.

Various sizes and configurations of a symmetric cathedral truss:



View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model.html?id=2755897d-3855-447a-bc13-d4478cf99355

Why would you want to leave, its too much fun.  Welcome and thank-you for joining the forum.  I appreciate your feedback and interest in some of the work I have been doing.

Did it provide you with any message?  To debug this I need to know your input parameters.

Version 1.6.1 - 06.11.2016
- Added Coffer truss type, configurations: (AUTO).
- Metric input enabled for coffer truss type.
- Added gable end trusses for coffer truss type.
- Structural outlookers (vert. & horz.) enabled under advanced roof options for Coffer truss type.
- Building parameter menu (2nd) and advanced options menu for trusses now default to last picked options of the session for that sub-menu item.


Various configurations of a 40' coffer truss shown below:



The web triangulation algorithm automatically determines which configuration is appropriate based on the span between panel points.  This simplifies the geometry input menu but does take some control from the user.

View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model.html?id=a9f2e281-557d-4d13-a9ad-64bdfdd078f4

Various configurations of a 16' King Post Truss:



View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model.html?id=d38c0061-b812-499a-b02a-70c43148d958

With a raised heel note the use of either a wedge, slider or vertical web with strut.

Version 1.6.0 - 06.08.2016
- Corrected a bug with raised heel fink trusses and structural outlookers.