Timber Trusses (with SketchUp)

[GaryOhmer]

both in sketchup and chief if possible

[Renerabbitt]

1 hour ago, GaryOhmer said:

both in sketchup and chief if possible

Chief already does an automatically framed common sill on mulled windows, so you would just manually place your 2x4 cripple/trim

[Medeek]

On 6/24/2025 at 9:39 AM, GaryOhmer said:

In the advanced framing options for windows - common sill for ganged windows plus would be nice to be able to use 2x4 in between windows in 2x6 wall

I'm not sure exactly what you are describing here, but I can give it some consideration.  Please send me a screenshot or two, usually a picture clears things up immediately.

[Medeek]

On a different note I am currently working on a new plugin called "Medeek HVAC" for SketchUp.  This one should be interesting.  I'm curious if Chief has any tools for working with HVAC systems, primarily with ductwork?

 

The same duct assembly but with different profiles:

 

 

[Medeek]

There will be numerous assets that will be included within this plugin.  AC condenser units like the ones shown are a good example of such assets.

 

 

Note that any asset that is included within my plugin(s) is personally modeled by me and inspected.  It has to be free of any stray geometry, a SketchUp solid (or solids), dimensionally accurate and have as low of poly count as possible while still providing a realistic representation.

[Medeek]

On 6/17/2025 at 7:32 PM, para-CAD said:

 

Thanks for your insane ruby work, Nathan.  Keep up the great work!

 

Thank-you for the vote of confidence, it is greatly appreciated.  I think most Chief users realize that what I do is simply adding more tools into their already well equipped tool bag that is Chief Architect,  Just another resource if needed.  I'm not trying to supplant Chief or say that SketchUp is even better, that is not my goal.  However, some things are just easier to deal with in SketchUp so why not use the geometry and bring it into Chief as needed.  

Think of it this way, I don't paint a picture with a pencil and I don't write a letter with a brush.  We select the appropriate tool to match the job.

I think the down voters are just those very few individuals who feel threatened by what can be done within SketchUp, which is an exceptional 3D modeler.  However, rather than feel threatened just realize that SketchUp can potentially augment your experience in Chief, you can up your game to the next level and even save some time in the process.

On a slightly different note here are some more screenshots of the new HVAC plugin as I throw the kitchen sink at it:

 

[para-CAD]

 

I am right there with you.....if I need a 3D accurate detail, I will create it in sketchup then bring it over to chief.

 

Chief Architect is the most efficient and best looking construction doc maker (layout) for plans for permit.

I like to use Note schedules to keep the image as clean as possible so the framers have maximum information....images and text.

SketchUp is able to model anything...accurately.

 

I don't know enough about HVAC install to make good plans, but I bet an HVAC tech could redline so pages if I needed to support such design work.

 

 

Great tools, Nathan!

[Medeek]

Those details are stunning.  Very nice work.  I would say your details are easily on par with anything Nick Sonder puts out and he has been the SketchUp detail king for some years now.

 

[Medeek]

With the ability to edit Segments and Nodes we can now create something like this:

 

hvac_su026_8001583×983 210 KB

 

Next I need to add in some common transitions and some common “terminations”.

 

[para-CAD]

Chief needs help.

There is so much wrong with the wall detail tool. This is out of the box and looks like it requires some tweaking. I have never set any of the settings to generate this kind of garbage. There is software that gives very accurate framing information but the company has the absolute worst customer service and software leasing policy that I refuse to ever use it again. It would be nice if chief could buy them out or at least start to generate wall panel and roof framing cut sheets as part of interpreting an accurate 3-D model.

 

 

Until such time as chief creates this kind of wall panel and roof framing accuracy, I will continue to use sketchup and occasionally AutoCAD.

[Renerabbitt]

1 hour ago, para-CAD said:

This is out of the box and looks like it requires some tweaking

 

[para-CAD]

I know I'm on a mac.......but the suspense is killing me

 

(ha) It won't load.......so weird

 

[Renerabbitt]

1 minute ago, para-CAD said:

I know I'm on a mac.......but the suspense is killing me

 

(ha) It won't load.......so weird

 

missing codec for mp4?

 

[para-CAD]

Probably....its Safari

 

Thanks for wanting to help me with this.............when I see you girding up for digital combat.....to bring order to the computing realm.......this is the soundtrack in my head

 

 

[Medeek]

I couldn't get the video to load either, the audio is there but no visuals, strange.

Anyhow, I can see the framing is all messed up, not sure what is happening there.  This isn't a terribly complicated wall so I'm assuming Chief has an answer for it, maybe you somehow misconfigured it?  However, you being as experienced a Chief user as you are I kind of doubt that is the issue here.

I'm now starting on Transitions and Tees for the Medeek HVAC plugin, this is getting more interesting:

 

 

If Chief has no specialized system for HVAC or ducting then importing a complete duct network from SketchUp may be a good solution.

[Medeek]

I just watched this video on inserting HVAC ducting:

https://www.chiefarchitect.com/videos/watch/10157/creating-hvac-ductwork.html

Using moldings for ducting doesn't seem very intuitive to me but it looks like you can cobble something together but it does take working through a lot of menus etc...