[Plugin] Deck Builder (Updated 23-Jun-2015)

[sdmitch]

In response to

viewtopic.php?f=323&t=58000.

http://sketchucation.com/pluginstore?pln=Deck_Builder

Update 23-Jun-2014 - Corrected a problem with the Rotation option.

Update 19-Jun-2014 - Added 3 selectable posts and railing to steps. Fixed deformed post on curved sections.

Deck Builder WD.jpg

Deck Builder.jpg

With a huge amount of SWAG, I have posted Deck Builder to the Plugin Store.

Please do not assume that this plugin produces anything that is code compliant. It is merely my attempt to provide a visual and nothing more.

Choose Plugins>SDM Tools>Face Tool>Deck Builder to execute the plugin.

Select the sizes you wish for the decking and joists. Since the decking is oriented parallel to the longest edge, you can choose 90 rotation if that is not desired.

Three simple spindles and posts are included with the plugin. You are free to make and add your own to the DB_Support_Files sub-directory. The spindles must be 24" high and the posts 36" high. Both should be oriented vertically with the bottom center at the model origin.

All options that are checked will be created when the face is selected. Any option that don't want should be un-checked. The posts/supports are created at the end of each face edge and are required if you want a railing. The steps, if checked, are placed on the shortest edge that is at least 24" long. That edge can be located anywhere on the face.

[pbacot]

Thanks for getting your deck extension out there!

[solo]

Damn! this is a brilliant tool, thanks a ton.

[TECHDAVE02]

LOOKS! Great but I can't get the web-dialog to come up?
Frame-It works but alas no Deck - Builder

[mwm5053]

this so cool Thanks sdmitch

[Dave R]

LOOKS! Great but I can't get the web-dialog to come up?
Frame-It works but alas no Deck - Builder

Did you trying quitting and restarting SketchUp after installing it?

[Krisidious]

Thanks sdmitch, this is a great time saver. As for code compliant, that it builds it close enough works just fine, then adjustments can be made for compliance.

Would it be possible to create the same sub directories for posts and rails?

[TECHDAVE02]

[ Dave R]"Did you trying quitting and restarting SketchUp after installing it?"

Yes and rebooted computer as well

[Krisidious]

did you go to the extensions area and do the install? Do you not see deckbuilder at all in the sdm menu?

[TECHDAVE02]

did you go to the extensions area and do the install? Do you not see deckbuilder at all in the sdm menu?

Yes it is there but no luck and as stated the Frame-It works fine
Thanks

[Krisidious]

Do you use internet explorer? dump your cookies and cache from IE.

[TECHDAVE02]

Thanks again; did it no luck. "sdmitch" has my error message hopefully some resolution soon.

[sdmitch]

Thanks again; did it no luck. "sdmitch" has my error message hopefully some resolution soon.

The problem is not yours, it's mine. I stupidly created and saved the components in V14 format which V8 or V13 cant handle.

If you are a non-V14 user wait until I update the post before downloading the plugin.

[sdmitch]

A new copy of the Deck_Builder.rbz file has been uploaded to the Plugin Store. If you are a V8 or a V13 user, please download a new copy of the file and re-install.

[pilou]

Excellent!
Of course with Random Painter by Chris Fullmer!

decko.jpg

Amazing that you can choose any "horizontal !" surface!

decko1.jpg

[jolran]

Well done!

[utiler]

Sam, you're really coming up with some great time savers!!

I've always thought a handrail / fence plugin would be neat. Haven't tried this deck builder plugin yet but IMO, a deck builder tool should be for the deck and a railing plugin should be what you use next....

Would work off centre lines, select start point and trace around the profile of the railing then input post [square or round], size and height then spacing along the same lines and what you've done here.....

Love seeing your work, mate!

[sdmitch]

Update 19-Jun-2014 - Added 3 selectable posts and railing to steps. Fixed deformed posts on curved sections.

[alpro]

sdmitch, great plugin, last version worked well for me except on curves, this new version doesn't work for me at all, no matter how I draw the face when I execute the plugin, it hangs for a bit then just reverses the face. Windows 7, IE 11, Sketchup 2014 Pro


Mike

[sdmitch]

sdmitch, great plugin, last version worked well for me except on curves, this new version doesn't work for me at all, no matter how I draw the face when I execute the plugin, it hangs for a bit then just reverses the face. Windows 7, IE 11, Sketchup 2014 Pro


Mike

If the face is reversed, the plugin has at least partially ran so run it with the Ruby Console open and see where and/or what is causing it to fail.

There was a change in the folder where the posts and spindles are so, if you only copied the new plugin to the Plugins folder instead of doing the normal extensions install, that could be the problem.

[pilou]

Very cool!

[pilou]

Here maybe a little glitch!
I made any regulates!

[sdmitch]

The quality control director has been fired for not sufficiently testing in metric units.

Problem has been fixed. Maybe.

[alpro]

sdmitch, installed latest version through Sketchucation Plugin Store, here is what shows in the ruby console when executing the plugin.

Error: #<TypeError: no implicit conversion from nil to integer>
C:/Users/MRacz/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2014/SketchUp/Plugins/Deck Builder.rb:362:in `[]'
C:/Users/MRacz/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2014/SketchUp/Plugins/Deck Builder.rb:362:in `add_posts'
C:/Users/MRacz/AppData/Roaming/SketchUp/SketchUp 2014/SketchUp/Plugins/Deck Builder.rb:218:in `onLButtonDown'


Thanks for your help.

Mike

Just checked my plugins folder, for some reason neither a spindles or post folder was created, weird.

Nevermind, folder was created and after trying again, deck builder works as advertised, even weirder

[Dave R]

Mike, I would try reinstalling it. I just installed the current version on my PC via the SCF Plugin Store and don't see the error when starting SketchUp fresh.

[Box]

Can you have a look at the toolbar settings, it seems you have it set to open the toolbar every time SU starts. So even if you have closed the toolbar it will reinitialize at the next start up. Slightly annoying.

[sdmitch]

Can you have a look at the toolbar settings, it seems you have it set to open the toolbar every time SU starts. So even if you have closed the toolbar it will reinitialize at the next start up. Slightly annoying.

If you don't want the toolbar to show on start up find this line

Code: Select all

   cmd.tooltip="Deck Builder";tb.add_item cmd;tb.show


and replace it with this line

Code: Select all

   cmd.tooltip="Deck Builder";tb.add_item cmd;#tb.show


The Toolbar will be created but not automatically displayed.

[Box]

Thanks for that, it certainly works. I would have thought it would be the default setting, after all if you turn it off you would expect it to stay turned off.

[sdmitch]

Thanks for that, it certainly works. I would have thought it would be the default setting, after all if you turn it off you would expect it to stay turned off.

Perhaps, but few things will persist from session to session.

[TIG]

The "user-friendly" way to have your script's loader setup its toolbar so that it opens when its first installed, and then subsequently so it only opens if the user had it open when they last exited SketchUp, is simply done thus:
cmd.tooltip="Deck Builder";tb.add_item cmd;tb.show if tb.get_last_state.abs==1 #TB_VISIBLE/NEVER
This way, if the toolbar was switched off by the user when they exited SketchUp it will not get re-opened as the plugin loads next time...