topic Re: real rafter length in Collaboration with other software

real rafter length

Anonymous — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 08:03:42 GMT

Hi, I would like to ask you guys if there is any way to get real rafter (or any other sloped object) length?

In my company, we often need to calculate quantity of lumber used in roof construction or any other and I have really big trouble when it comes to that...

I wonder why there is no way (hope I'm wrong) to get actual rafter length?

First, to explain what I need: I see actual rafter length as length from ends of element, not from points where it rests on beams or walls or similar. That's why I can't get any length that matches my need. I've tried several parameters in schedule setup but nothing worked. Only things I get are length of horizontal projection, length between resting places, or odd combinations of mentioned. Even turning that simple option called "Display length value" under parameters of Rafter2_1 11 (or any other) gives wrong number...

If anyone have come up with solution for this - please help!
I send in attachment pictures that will more accurately explain my problem.

Re: real rafter length

Anonymous — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 08:04:26 GMT

forgot to attach one more...

Re: real rafter length

Ralph Wessel — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 12:29:47 GMT

leziljebovic wrote:
Hi, I would like to ask you guys if there is any way to get real rafter (or any other sloped object) length?

Take a look at OBJECTiVE and FrameWright. Both provide bounding size parameters that are always correct regardless of orientation or cutting. See the attached image for an example.

FrameWright may be better suited to your business because of its scheduling features, including (grouped) cutting lists, standard length increments, and time/cost/length allowances for shaping.

For information about OBJECTiVE: http://www.encina.co.uk/objective.html

For information about FrameWright: http://www.encina.co.uk/framewright_pro.html

Re: real rafter length

Rick Thompson — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:39:21 GMT

AC will do what you want fine, but you need to generate a schedule (Document>Schedules and List>Set up List Scheme). If you want to get actual rafter material take offs (as per reality rather than what is generated... 2x6x11'-3" vs. 2x6x12), so someone could order from it, then you can add a script to the Lumber Components that will do this. I will post a link so you can download that script.. http://www.thompsonplans.com/files/LumberComponents.ISM.sit THis script goes in your "RoofMaker Library". I didn't make it, so I can't say much about it (I had it made), but it works to generate rounded up rafter lengths to the nearest 2' increments.

I made a pdf of the screen shots, but it's too big to post.. so here's a link for it.

http://www.thompsonplans.com/files/rooflist.pdf

Re: real rafter length

Anonymous — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 02:45:08 GMT

Thanks Rick for the tips and schedule quantity helper file.
Hope to try this out during my winter AC "hibernation" time.
Should be quite-a-journey, since I've only developed two different types of window and door schedules from "scratch" so far.
Your generosity is very much a motivator.
Even though I only do small residential projects, anytime I can get a more accurate number for framing materials, that helps me figure out the total framing cost since I use a variable multiplier on the materials to get total framing costs. And right now, the variable is "upside-down"! Bummer.
Bier

Re: real rafter length

Rick Thompson — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 17:11:11 GMT

If you want to carry it a step further, you can easily calculate floor framing too. The set up is tedious, but you only have to do it once. You need to make property objects for each lumber size... Set up all the lumber sizes in the data base (since it doesn't come with them:(...ie. 2x10x10, 2x10x12.. 2x10x10pt, 2x10x12pt etc.. so, all the standard 2x6's, 2x8's 2x10's, 2x12's and repeat for PT joist. Then link each to a property object keyed to the ID field. Place the joist using the JOIST Beam object, and use the appropriate ID (2x10x12pt). I normally "slop" them on a framing plan view, unless I need to send it out, then I resize/stretch the joist before multiplying them so it reads right (not like the screen shot:) I actually keep all these objects pre sized and ID'ed on a template and copy paste them to the working pln. Pull you list via layers (floor 1 framing, floor 2 framing, headers.. etc.

You can download a sample list I end up with off my web site.

Good luck, it takes a lot of time to set up, but then it's done and easily used to generate very accurate framing list.

Re: real rafter length

Anonymous — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 01:13:23 GMT

Thanks again Rick.
I've also now saved your post regarding this.
I'll try to dive in starting around November when things slow down.
Bier

Re: real rafter length

RandyC — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 23:13:57 GMT

Has anyone figured out a way to get true rafter lengths in interactive Schedule ? ver.13 ? , this thread is from 2008 & the links are dead

Randy

Re: real rafter length

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 20:49:15 GMT

RandyC wrote:
Has anyone figured out a way to get true rafter lengths in interactive Schedule ? ver.13 ? , this thread is from 2008 & the links are dead

Randy, I've just noticed that the latest hotfix for AC13 INT here says -

•88905 ROOFMAKER: elements' complete lengths cannot be listed

I've also just checked the AC13 equivalent of 'Rafter2_1' which does now seem to report the actual true length; both on plan and in a schedule. Remember to user the 'Lumbersize' parameter for the correct measurement.

I have to admit I didn't check whether this worked before I installed the hotfix, so I don't know if this is a new fix or not!!

Re: real rafter length

RandyC — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:50:04 GMT

Peter :
Thanks for the reply
Where do I find the 'Lumbersize' parameter ? I have downloaded the hotfix but I still cant get the measurement nor can I find that paramater in additional paramaters rafter2-1 13 ?????

Re: real rafter length

Anonymous — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 01:05:55 GMT

Click the 'Additional Parameters' button at the bottom of the scheme settings dialog, navigate to the roofmaker rafters, select the rafter, and you should see the 'lumbersize' parameter listed underneath. Simply add this to main schedule fields. I hope the diagram below is helpful.

Note - I haven't tested any of the other roof timbers, but the one I mentioned seems to work as expected. I'd recommend doing some further checking yourself to see if they all work properly before diving in to do a full schedule!

Good luck!

Re: real rafter length

RandyC — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 02:19:52 GMT

Peter:

I do not have that paramater (see attached image) , could it be that I am using a North American Library ?

Re: real rafter length

Erika Epstein — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 06:06:55 GMT

In the 13 US library I found most of the parameters Peter shows under Rafter 13, not Rafter2_113.

In the screen-shot you can see some values in inches, others in feet, some values live, others with " --- " aren't calling a live parameter and nothing can be manually written into the cell...

What a mess!

Re: real rafter length

Anonymous — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 11:34:38 GMT

What a mess!

I'd have to agree. Sorry for getting your hopes up!

In the INT library, the roof members found in both the 'RoofMaker' folder and the 'Roof Construction' folder both have the LumberSize parameter which does actually display the correct length.

Unfortunately there are several other parameters that are not shared or named the same and so they cannot be used and scheduled together.

In fact some of the parameters found in the 'Roof Construction' members looks German based!

Although I understand that many library parts have been re-written for AC14, I suspect that these probably haven't. Perhaps this could be a job for Zsolt and his team to finally unify all the roof members between the various metric and imperial countries, and ensure the parameters are named the same so the scheduling works more reliably.

Re: real rafter length

RandyC — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 13:16:08 GMT

Thanks everyone for checking, I hope Graphisoft will fix this in some future release.