I will be running a Thanksgiving promotion beginning Nov. 12th until Dec. 1st. with 40% off of the regular mdkBIM bundle price (permanent license) using the coupon code GIVETHANKS23.

This will reduce the bundle price from $280.00 USD to $168.00 USD. This promo code does not apply to any of the extensions purchased separately or for the electrical plugin. The offer ends on Dec. 1 and no rain checks will issued thereafter.

[design.medeek.com](https://design.medeek.com)

First look at my attempts to simplify the look and feel of the Draw and Edit menus for walls:





I'm no UI expert but my idea is to create collapsible menus for certain sections that are not modified as commonly during regular use.  The "wall start" and "wall end" sections are a good examples of such sections.  Typically the parameters within these two sections are only modified in certain specific situations or when customization is required.

Thoughts?

After shuffling things around a bit:





I've created a new section for framing options/details.  Notice that in this section I've also moved the stud removal parameter, which was formerly in the advanced options (I think it makes more sense to place it in this section).

The advanced options section is unchanged and still very busy with a ton of parameters but I really don't know what to do about it since all of those advanced options are necessary and need to be placed somewhere.  (If you disable the Advanced Wall Options then that whole section is not shown.)

So currently, with the new UI update so far, there are three sections that can be toggled by the user manually.  I should probably also add into the global settings some parameters which will control the default visibility for these sections.

Version 3.3.6 - 11.18.2023
- Added a "Menu UI" parameter in the General tab of the Global Settings with the following options: Legacy, Collapsed, Expanded.
- Updated the Wall Draw and Edit menus with the new Menu UI options.
- Fixed a bug with the tee intersection algorithm for rectangular "stacked" walls.

The additional menu options are in response to feedback from multiple users requesting a less busy and simpler menu system.  By default the legacy menu system is selected in the global settings however one can quickly change to one of more advanced "collapsible" systems.  This is my first real crack at this so further refinement may be necessary depending on the feedback I receive.

Tutorial 45 - Menu UI Options (8:08 min.)

Version 3.3.7 - 11.20.2023
- Fixed a bug with the hotkey (Up key) for wall panelization in the Draw Wall Perimeter tool.
- Fixed a bug with the Draw Wall Perimeter tool for metric units.

!!!! Critical Bug Fix !!!!
This is a critical bug fix for users of metric units.  I highly recommend upgrading to this latest version for all users.

Version 3.3.7b - 11.27.203
- Fixed a critical bug introduced with Version 3.3.6.

!!!! CRITICAL BUG FIX !!!!
This is a critical bug fix for all users, please download the latest version of the plugin (3.3.7b).

Version 3.3.8 - 12.02.2023
- Updated the face selection algorithm of the draw wall perimeter tool.

This addresses the issue of selecting faces that are embedded or nested within groups.  You can now select faces that are in the root of the model or nested within other groups.

Version 3.3.9 - 12.18.2023
- Added a "Cedar Siding" built-in material (horizontal) into the material library.



This material is a horizontal version of the previously added vertial version.  This update per customer request.

Version 3.4.0 - 12.22.2023
- Fixed a minor bug with the error checking code for custom casing profiles of windows and doors.
- Added top and bottom vertical offset parameters for shearwall sheathing.
- Added a QHQ casement window to the window draw and edit modules.





Both updates are per customer request.

Version 3.4.1 - 12.29.2023
- Updated and improved the license verification module.
- Disabled redundant logging to improve plugin performance.

Version 3.4.2 - 01.09.2024
- Fixed a bug with steel framing and tee intersections.
- Fixed a bug with hip walls and tee intersections (two stud with blocking).

Version 3.4.3 - 01.18.2024
- Improved the serial number verification logic within the License tab of the Global Settings.
- Added a Door Reset button in the Doors tab of the Global Settings.
- Added a Window Reset button in the Windows tab of the Global Settings.

Version 3.4.4 - 01.24.2024
- Added a pressure treated option for in-wall columns.
- Created a more realistic material/texture for pressure treated timbers (for in-wall columns and posts).

Version 3.4.5 - 01.28.2024
- Added two additional column types for in-wall columns: Custom, Blank.
- Three additional parameters added for custom in-wall columns.
- Added a custom label option and annotation section for in-wall columns.
- Updated the javascript logic within the License tab of the Global Settings.



Technically this update is a bit redundant because one can already configure custom in-wall columns within the global settings.  However, this new option gives one the ability to insert any sort of column into the wall (non-wood) as well as a blank opening where one could then insert their own manually modeled column or structural support.

The custom label option applies to all column types, so it can override the auto labeling algorithm of the module.

This update per customer request.

Version 3.4.5b - 01.28.2024
- Fixed a bug with holdowns for in-wall columns.
- Fixed a bug with the bottom plate cutting algorithm for in-wall columns.

Version 3.4.6 - 01.30.2024
- Added a "Dimension to Centerline" option for framing dimensions in the General tab of the Global Settings.
- Enabled centerline dimensioning for openings, columns and SSW for rectangular walls.
- Added a "Style 5" (Pull Plate) to the built-in door hardware options.
- Added more options for grid style window grilles: 3X4, 4X5, 5X6.







All updates per customer requests.

Version 3.4.7 - 02.01.2024
- Updated the Columns tab of the Global Settings with new parameters.
- Added glazing color and opacity parameters to the Sheathing tab of the Global Settings.





The Columns tab now includes Custom and Blank under Column Type.

Up until now the glass color and opacity has been hard coded in to the plugin, now the user can adjust these values if desired.

Version 3.4.8 - 02.04.2024
- Added a Sheathing Reset button in the Sheathing tab of the Global Settings.
- Added Dimension Layer 5 specfically for framing/elevation auto-dimensions (Layer tab of the global settings).
- Enabled editing of dimensions for framing/elevation dimensions (rectangular walls only).






Tutorial 46 - Editing Framing Dimensions (7:34 min.)

https://youtu.be/Pg6__IoAars

Version 3.4.9 - 02.16.2024
- Added an RGB color code input into the Add, Update and Import menus for custom materials.
- Added an RGB color code input for each color in the Materials tab of the Global Settings.
- Added a "Toggle RGB Input" button to the Materials tab of the Global Settings.





Updates per customer request.

Version 3.5.0 - 02.23.2024
- Separated the tee blocking option for exterior and interior walls.
- Fixed a bug with geometry guides for metric templates.

Version 3.5.1 - 02.24.2024
- Added a 45 and 135 degree rainscreen option for rectangular walls.



This update per customer request.

Version 3.5.2 - 03.02.2024
- Added the following door types: 3/4 glass, double 3/4 glass.
- Added a separate threshold material option for all man doors.
- Added additional grille (grid) options for glass doors.

Version 3.5.3 - 03.06.2024
- Added a "Panel" corner treatment for "End" and "Terminal" wall corners (rectangular walls only).
- Fixed a javascript bug for window and door presets.
- Fixed a bug with the door casing (custom casing options) and end cripple studs for pocket doors.
- Rearranged the door casing section of the door Draw and Edit menus.
- Fixed a bug with the advanced options for all wall types when using metric templates.



With this release I've fixed a number of substantial bugs that were discovered by users and also one by myself.  I highly recommend upgrading to this latest release of the plugin.

Version 3.5.4 - 03.08.2024
- Enabled an end grain material for top and bottom plates of rectangular walls.
- Fixed a javascript bug for garage door presets.
- Fixed a bug with door presets when using metric templates.