I’m framing (in my head) my favorite complex roof, this time in Sketchup, not the 3D wireframe program I used last time. I am recreating files lost, out of stupidity, in a hard drive crash a couple weeks back.
I did the hip corners and the lay-ons over the eyebrow in about 35 minutes.
Here is the real deal, done with my hands (and some help) and not my head, from last year. The next time I do this one, we won’t have to design for the 70 pound ground snow load!
Edited 11/11/2006 11:29 pm ET by Gene_Davis
Replies
That's a nice drawing Gene. Someday I'll have to come out there and take Sketchup lessons from you. I've played around with it quite a bit and just can't get the hang of it.
Just curious though, what is the purpose of drawing it out in detail like that?
Mike Maines
As I said, I am going to build the same plan again. The first time around I modeled it in 3D, in enough detail so as to be able to shop-build stairsets, shop-cut all curved pattern parts, shop-build the arch-top windows, proof-check the truss drawings, and pre-order the entire set of cabinetry and built-ins.
I completely lost my CAD files, and am recreating the model in SU this time, and it sure is faster. I model a house from the foundation on up, thinking through all methods, and solving all complex geometry. Having done the build once, and working from the list in my head of "things I would do differently if doing it again," I am looking for easier ways of doing the stuff that gave us some headscratchers the first time.
This design is quite a challenge to replicate it per the architect's intent, with the way its interlaced steel supports the upper floor, the interaction of curved windows that have their arc centers the same as the barrelvault porch ceiling, and the tubesteel tower that supports the largespan central trusses and the chimney structure.
It's also very tightly orchestrated inside, with built-ins stuffed into passageways and corners, and a horizontal trim scheme that doesn't permit any errors in setting doors, windows, and building soffit boxdowns. Modeling the whole thing in 3D lets me proof the whole buildout before we ever break ground.
When we built this thing last year, we didn't have to stop and do dimensional or assembly-scheme workouts, we just simply executed. I get a kick out of working that way.
I'm all for having good plans--I use Autocad lt, and like the precision it offers. I can see your point on a tricky framing job like that. It can eat up time on site figuring out how to cut some of those roofs.
Is Susanka the original architect on that house?
I get the impression you're stick framing the roof, but it kind of looks like you're using some trusses on the little hip and jack rafters?
Did you teach yourself SU?
The roof is all trussed, except for some valley lay-ons, the lay-on over the eyebrow, and the little hip jacks at hip tips. The truss package we used last year had trusses numbered 1 through 56, a number of them multiples, and every single one of them was correct. There are 204 sheets of 5/8 sheathing on that roof, and I lifted and pushed every one up from the ground. I get social security.
I taught myself SU, mostly doing kitchen layouts.
The house is a Sarah Susanka design.
That's the free Google Sketch up you're using right?Are there any books you would recommend on learning to use it, or does one just have to muddle through the "Help" instructions Google provides?********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
I sprung for the for-purchase pro version, but I have not used any of the features it has over and above Google SU, except for the scale printing.
There are a lot of on-line video tutorials, and that is what I used to learn.
Gene,I know exactly what you mean! I've been using SU for 2 years now (since before it was free!!) and, for anything even a little complex, I whip off a model, print the pages and give to my carpenter or helper (or me if I'm in the field that week).It's amazing how much more pleasant it is to build stuff when you know EXACTLY how you're going to do it.........instead of figuring out a last minute oops on the fly.......in drizzling rain........with your guys waiting........doing noting.So, yeah, I get a kick out of working that way too!Mike
Gene, that's a great drawing - I'm going to have to investigate Sketchup. I almost always build the thing on screen before I tackle it, so no surprises occur in the field.
Looks like SU is clearer for that than my limited use of ACad!
Forrest