John Brock

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Viewing 15 posts - 31 through 45 (of 93 total)
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  • in reply to: Spreadsheets for Data Bases #39595
    John Brock
    Keymaster

    Terry – the process should be to update your pricing in your database file, save it. Then in Estimator, click on the Sync Items With Database button at the top. There is also a Link/Unlink button in the UI. I will respond to your email about this as well.

    in reply to: Framing #39594
    John Brock
    Keymaster

    Hi Terry – just getting back from a conference and saw these posts – there are several of them and it will not let me reply individually, so I will try to bullet them below.

    1) convert plates length to each – I use LAYERS tab in Estimator. Use attribute for LENGTH. Use MULTIPLIER of /? (divide by length – so in your example total lM divided by 6LM, plus waste factor, to convert to number of units. Use this concept for all framing members (studs, headers, plates, etc.) The STUDS are actually made into components BUT I found it easiest to account for cripples and jacks and studs to use total length of each divided by unit length ordered.

    2) As I stated above, I use LAYERS tab for all framing except for components like joist hangers, etc.

    3) answered in number 2 above (layers and components) – but STUDS are named differently from the rest for a specific purpose. Plates, headers, sills, sheathing, etc. are all named wall_(type, like plate)_(size) – this way, in Estimator, you can use the attributes to convert. HOWEVER, studs are normally in different lengths depending. For example, I use 8′ and 9′ walls routinely. SO, to differentiate between the various heights, so as to know how to order, we added the HEIGHT to the end of the layer name.

    4) Yes, you can change the cost type in the spreadsheet. Once you run the macro, you will notice a drop-down in the type field and can simply pick which one to assign where.

    5) Saving updated costs – remember to save the spreadsheet once you have changed prices. Then, back in SketchUp, click on the SYNC DATABASE button to update the pricing.

    6) Great question! Once you have entered information for Framer Layers (plates, studs, sheathing, etc.) you DO NOT have to do it each time. You have two options. When you first enter the cost data for a layer, be in your SketchUp Template. Then each time you start a new model, it already has your framing layers included, with pricing data. OR you can use the new ASSEMBLIES tool. Let’s say you modeled a typical wall and assigned all of your desired cost data. You can then go to Extensions > Estimator > Export Assemblies and choose the layers you wish to export. Then, when you are in a model and ready to frame some walls, Extensions > Estimator > Import Assemblies and choose the layers to import. All of your data should be there – model and wall and view instant results.

    in reply to: Calculating cladding #38996
    John Brock
    Keymaster

    Myles-

    You should be able to use the attribute of AREA and create a multiplier that converts to number of pieces. For example, a piece of siding. If you want to estimate number of pieces individually, use the coverage of ONE piece (height x length) for your multiplier. Does this make sense? Feel free to email an example and desired conversion and I will assist if possible.

    in reply to: Insultation? #38889
    John Brock
    Keymaster

    For now, yes. The next feature to Framer will be insulation in the stud cavities and then siding/veneers. The easiest method for now is to use the area of the wall sheathing (perhaps, or other method if preferred). I already use the area of sheathing in Estimator to generate housewrap takeoff, and then add (+) another entry for wall insulation. I have found my insulators measure walls without taking into account the voids of studs, so it would just lend a little waste to the results.

    in reply to: Framing Tool #38873
    John Brock
    Keymaster

    Hi Terry-

    For editing window and door openings, you right-click on the wall and click on edit framer window (or door), IF there is only one window or door opening, the dialog box will pop up for that window or door. IF there is multiple windows or doors, the FIRST one will be highlighted in BLUE. If that is the one you want, hit ENTER, otherwise hit TAB to advance to the next one until you get to the one you want to edit and hit ENTER.

    As far as the headers to the underside of the top plate – that is on my list for very next feature/option. I used to HAVE to frame openings that way in my locality, but they dropped that a few years ago. Consider it on the list 🙂

    Thanks for all of your feedback!

    in reply to: Framing Tool #38678
    John Brock
    Keymaster

    Thanks Jake!

    I have a simple floor tool but did not think it was worthy on this release. I use a lot of floor trusses and get those models from my vendors, but most floor systems get too complicated for a parametric tool, so I end up building floors from scratch, then use the slab tool to create the subfloor. I want to add insulation, siding, etc. next.

    in reply to: Framing Tool #38641
    John Brock
    Keymaster

    Yes, just edit the group and use Push/Pull. The length adjusts in Estimator real-time.

    in reply to: Corecon intergration #38621
    John Brock
    Keymaster

    Terry-

    Corecon was the first we built an exporter for, but I want to do the same for Co-Construct and others. In fact, I have been a Co-Construct customer for years. Essentially, all you need is to have certain columns of information mapped to their import. It could be done manually for any of these services (BuilderTrend, etc.), I just want to create an exporter to make it easy for users. I need to follow up with my programmer on this, but will work on a video about it – thanks!

    in reply to: Framing Tool #38557
    John Brock
    Keymaster

    Terry-

    First – to customize your headers, choose the Configure Materials icon in the toolstrip (eye dropper), then choose Header and Sections (metric in your case I assume) – you may then customize the various sizes you like, then Save.

    Second – angled walls are tricky and a known limitation. What I have been doing is modeling the walls from corner to corner in the angle, add my openings and that is usually “close enough” – If I need precise or exact cuts, I have to edit the walls manually, just remember if you edit the wall manually (group), then IF you edit the wall again using Framer, it will revert back to Framer parameters. I am open to suggestions on how to improve this issue.

    in reply to: Framing Tool #38513
    John Brock
    Keymaster

    Terry,
    One of the start and end post options is T-post. Use these at intersections. Two things to note, it will not delete studs in the intersecting walls (if in same location), and T studs will be size of wall being modeled, which may be different size than perpendicular wall

    in reply to: Framing Tool #38510
    John Brock
    Keymaster

    Awesome! Remember that cripples and jacks go on STUD layer, so you can choose which stud size to use and total lineal footage of all and add waste, etc. Also, all horizontal members go on Plates or Headers layers.

    I did a YouTube clip on edit walls, thanks for prompting me to do it! https://youtu.be/fUEfdgxM2RQ

    in reply to: Framing Tool #38505
    John Brock
    Keymaster

    Terry-

    To move a wall vertically or horizontally, right-click > move/resize framer wall > you will see yellow grips at each end and either side of middle > use these middle grips to move horizontally or vertically – tip – use a guide to reference/snap the move.
    To change wall height, simply right-click > edit framer wall > change the height of the wall.

    When you create a wall, it creates it as a group. When you add an opening, the king studs, jacks, headers, cripples are grouped inside the wall group.

    The layers are assigned internally by the code and are not customizable. Perhaps in the future I might be able to get the programmer to do that, I will ask, but I needed it to work with Estimator, so that is why each type is layered by code to differentiate.

    I did the layers like this – plates (except for treated), sills, header top and bottom, go on PLATE layer, Studs go on STUDS layer and named by height of wall so you know what stud length to use. Header goes on layer Header, jacks and cripples go on the stud layer.

    in reply to: Framing Tool #38491
    John Brock
    Keymaster

    Thanks Terry! I plan on adding additional layers for cladding (essentially another wallboard on top of sheathing for example), as well as insulation and other features, but simply had to get V1 out there before I can afford to add anything else. Primary focus was on making it work with Estimator. I typically add my veneers on top of the sheathing (add trim corners, window trim, etc., then create faces between and push/pull, texture, group, etc. Then I use the SF of the texture I chose (carefully texturing ONE face only) – all the trim is done with Profile Builder (I use individual layers for trim (for takeoff) and group the trim layers to control vis).

    You could simply edit the face of the sheathing you use (edit wall group until you drill into the sheathing layer and texture the outside face of the sheathing) – you could use the Area of the sheathing for takeoff of sheathing/housewrap, then use the Material SF (texture) for siding.

    keep the comments coming!

    in reply to: Slab Tool #37587
    John Brock
    Keymaster

    Hi Rafael-

    I developed it for horizontal slabs, as that was my need for such a tool at the time. It currently only works on horizontal slabs. I will look into the possibility of vertical or even sloping planes, but for now, only horizontal. I will soon be releasing Framer for SketchUp, a parametric wall framing plugin, and it adds sheathing and drywall, including openings, to walls.
    John Brock

    in reply to: Show us the Template File!! #37219
    John Brock
    Keymaster

    Hi Rudy-

    I will be posting a lot of information and very soon. I have been working with programmers for the last 9 months on version 2 and it is almost complete. The new version contains a large items database to choose material and labor items from. You can use our database, edit it to suit yourself, or use your own. Ironically, I am emailing back and forth with my programmer as I type now, about “Assemblies” – I want to add this feature – for now it will be an export/import feature. For example, a basement slab – you may build an “assembly” by adding as many cost elements as needed (CY for material, SF for labor, SF for vapor barrier, etc) then export this as an assembly you can use later and import into new models (so you do not have to have a template file, or need to keep amending a template file. Eventually I want to build an online version of Assemblies where users can build assemblies and share them in the community online – BUT I need to get this version out now before I go broke adding features 🙂

    I will keep you posted!

Viewing 15 posts - 31 through 45 (of 93 total)