Timber Trusses (with SketchUp)

[Medeek]

After three weeks of non-stop coding I needed a break so I spent the day at the track (walking, I’m too old to run anymore) and then spent the evening digging up docs on Bryant furnaces. Surprisingly the dimensional data is quite accurate and thorough, here is the result:

 

hvac_su050_8001493×1058 170 KB

 

Six actual models added, but really there are only three sizes (17.5, 21, 24).

I’ve been giving the calculations more thought and if I am able to incorporate that into the plugin then the BTUs, and other specs on these furnaces will also come in handy. I will probably need to create some sort of database or flat text file that has all the pertinent data on each furnace and the ability for the user to enter in custom furnaces and other appliances.

I always find that doing some low level modeling has an almost therapeutic effect. Maybe SketchUp is just such an fun to use and intuitive modeling environment, either way I find it to be a great way to relax and unwind.

 

All of the assets (furnaces, AC units, heat pumps etc...) will be part of the HVAC plugin and I think will be a great resource for anyone doing any sort of 3D modeling regardless of their platform.  I'm basically doing the heavy lifting for you so you don't have to spend countless hours modeling off the shelf parts and products.

[Medeek]

Version 4.0.4 - 07.13.2025
- Added the following steel post types to the post module: Round (HSS), Pipe (NPS).

 

I'm not sure why I never added a "pipe" option in before, I guess no one ever asked until now.

I will need to add more sizes but I now have the most commonly used sizes from 3" to 6" DIA.

 

 

[Medeek]

[b]Version 4.0.4b[/b] - 07.14.2025
- Added springfield plates to the post base and post cap libraries (for 3.5" and 4.0" pipe).
- Added the following Simpson post caps to the post module: LLC35_35, LCC35_4, LCC45_35, LCC45_4, LCC525_35, LCC525_4, LCC6_35, LCC6_4, LCC7_35, LCC7_4.

 

If I'm going to add in this new "pipe" post then it stands to reason that I also add some appropriate bases and caps to match.

[Medeek]

Version 4.0.4c - 07.15.2025
- Added the following Simpson Strong-Tie holdowns to the wall, column and shearwall modules: HDUE3, HDUE5, HDUE7, HDUE9, HDUE13, HDUE17.

 

Looks like Simpson added this new replacement for the HDU holdown in May of this year.  I just noticed this morning so I added them in.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-pa7M1g7dM

 

Note that these are low poly versions of the holdowns based directly off of the geometry provided on Simpson's website.

[Medeek]

Version 3.7.3 - 07.19.2025
- Enabled square cut rafter tails for gable rafter roofs.

 

 

[Medeek]

Version 4.0.7 - 07.20.2025
- Enabled the polyline draw mode for all wall justification options: Front, Center, Back, Sheathing.

Tutorial 72 - Wall Justification (7:16 min.)

 

 

 

I've wrestled with this issue since 2019 and up until now I have never been able to come up with a simple and satisfactory solution which allowed for the polyline draw mode.  However, after giving it some additional thought this morning after responding to some suggestions by a power user I realized that I already had the solution in hand (from the recently released corner connection tool - Version 3.9.8).  I only had to implement it and after a few more hours of testing and refining the logic I think we finally have a workable and robust solution for justified walls. 

 

Thank-you guys for hounding me on certain issues.  Sometimes it takes a while before the solution reveals itself to me but eventually it usually does, I just have to put my thinking cap on a few times.  Again, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. 

[Medeek]

Per customer request I will add in an LSL option for the framing very shortly:

 

I'm using the updated LSL texture I created for the Floor plugin, but I still feel like it is a bit dull or dark compared to my previous texture (OSB).  It could be a bit more vibrant or saturated.  I will need to spend some more time on this.

Weyerhaeuser sells their Timberstrand line of LSL framing and studs:

 

https://www.weyerhaeuser.com/woodproducts/engineered-lumber/timberstrand-lsl/timberstrand-lsl-framing-lumber/timberstrand-lsl-wall-framing-studs/

 

However, I would always worry about water damage.  What happens if the LSL gets wet?  We all know what happens to OSB, and plywood is a much more robust product in comparison.  Standard lumber seems like a much more resilient choice when it comes to potential water damage, but I could be wrong.

[Medeek]

Some Youtube viewers of this video reached out and told me that they had more equipment than could reasonably fit within such a small structure.

 

 

I agree, maybe a 16'x12' space is a bit cramped for anyone, especially if you are also using it for a content creation studio.  This is where the parametrics of the extensions come in real handy:

 

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/embed/aa7589c0-5dde-498d-ba91-ba73e1a68791?token=YhzP4g4wwgE=&binaryName=s21

[Medeek]

Version 0.9.1 - 07.29.2025
- Updated the draw and edit menus for HVAC appliances.
- Added the following brands and associated models into the HVAC appliance built-in library: Bryant, Rheem

 

 

 

 

[Medeek]

Version 1.5.3 - 08.09.2025

- Added the following light fixture categories and symbols: Suspended, Ext. Security, Int. Security.
- Updated the Legend tool to include these three new categories.
- Added a five light chandelier into the built-in light fixture library (suspended).

 

 

[Medeek]

Version 1.5.4 - 08.11.2025
- Added "chargers" (EV) under misc. fixtures.
- Added a (Stiebel Eltron) tankless water heater and a (Tesla) wall charger/connector to the built-in libraries within misc. fixtures.

 

 

 

[Medeek]

First look at a sample load diagram that will be generated within the engineering report for the new beam engineering tool:

 

I was going to include the numerical values but it clutters things up too much so I think it makes more sense to just include the appropriate tables below the diagram with all of that information.

 

Notice how P3 is essentially on top of D1.  The point loads and distributed loads can be anywhere along the beam so things may become a little cluttered even with my best attempts at trying to make the diagram as clear as possible.

 

If you look at the output from Weyerhaeuser's Forte app, my diagram is similar in many respects but somewhat more detailed.

 

One thing I have not considered yet is what if the user wants to input negative (uplift) loads.  I will need to give that some more thought and figure out if that is something I should add and then determine how to best represent an uplift load.

 

The other thing I realized is that unlike a truss, I'm actually only dealing with a one dimensional structural entity here.  Do I really need the grid?  It does help show the size of the beam (the length and depth are to scale) but otherwise there is really no need for it.

 

Thoughts overall?

 

Edited Friday at 03:59 PM by Medeek

[Medeek]

Version 4.1.1 - 08.17.2025
- Added Fixed - Slider (L) and Fixed - Slider (R) windows to the window module.

 

These two window types added per customer request.

[Medeek]

Version 4.1.2 - 08.18.2025
- Added hexagon windows to the window module.

 

Note, that to get a regular hexagon window you will want to enter in a window height that is given by this formula:

height  = width x 0.8660254

So for example if window is 48" wide its height will be: 48" x 0.8660254 = 41.569219"

One can always enter in any size for example an elongated hexagon or squished hexagon but I suspect most manufacturers will typically only stock a "regular" hexagon shaped windows in various sizes.

 

I don't think Chief Architect has a built-in hexagon window.

Edited yesterday at 03:37 PM by Medeek

[Renerabbitt]

10 hours ago, Medeek said:

I don't think Chief Architect has a built-in hexagon window.

It does, and you would know this if you owned the software for which this forum was specifically built.
 

I understand what you’re offering, but it’s important to point out that Chief Architect already has these tools built into the software. Wall tools, window modules, and electrical legends are all core features that are far more customizable than what’s being shared here. Creating a hex window or a polygon-shaped window is extremely easy to do, and our window options cover an extensive range of complex actions, including a myriad of parametrically resizable extrusion profiles, statically attached fixtures, operable panels, custom muntins, sills, aprons, returns, lintels, millwork, shutters, treatments, framing, sashes, and much more—not to mention material takeoffs that are integrated with the rest of the software’s robust material system, which cannot function outside of the program.

Because of that, your repeated posts come across less as helpful contributions to the Chief Architect community and more as advertising. Continuously pushing these posts, many of which are not relevant to a chief user, to the top of the “Offering Services” section feels excessive, and I’m surprised the moderators allow this pattern to continue.
 

If every third-party vendor for unrelated software did the same, this forum would quickly lose focus. Many of us are here to learn from and support each other as Chief Architect users, and the repeated service promotions feel more like spam than community building.

I say this respectfully, but I think it’s worth considering the impact on the forum and the experience for those of us who come here to exchange knowledge. If someone wants to find out what they can do with a Chief Architect model once it is brought into SketchUp, there should be no problem finding that information in a SketchUp forum.
 

At this point, I’m fairly certain you have more advertising posts than any other user here, despite the short amount of time you’ve been active—and yet you still don’t own this software or know whether what you are posting is even relevant.