Great thing about #OpenSCAD is I can set the outside finished dimensions of the structure and echo out the cut lengths with room left for exterior siding etc...

Takes out the guesswork and DIY math (which I usually get wrong)

California corners FTW

I think we can call that a wall

Onward to windows...

I just realized I can dynamically render for both 16" and 24" on center framing while changing a single value

This is kinda similar to SketchUp's dynamic components

Going back to the main cabin design, I'm wondering if I should add 3 smaller windows on the side wall or 2 big ones together

The bigger windows do make a nice view, but the smaller windows are easier to install since you just put them between the studs. Only the cripple studs below need to be added

I think I'd like a bigger window after all. Yes, it's going to be less energy efficient in a small structure, but the outside view and natural lighting is more important

I think 2 windows looks way better. Need to add headers and such to this

I'll probably add 9 lite door as well so I'll have light in 2 directions

The smaller structure also seems to look nicer with the bigger window. But I'll need to see if this is practical with an actual measured window

It's one thing to do it on a computer and quite another to build and live/work in it

There's an awful lot of lumber that goes around windows

I'm thinking I can make a header with 4 pieces. Basically two edge on stud material nailed together with 2 more on top and bottom flat

The header isn't where one should try to save lumber, especially for safety reasons, but I also don't see why it needs to be one solid piece either. Seems kinda wasteful and hard to insulate

That's a lot of light in a small space! I'm going with 30x36 windows for both the utility structures and the main cabin. Standardizing on one size is a lot easier on calculations, plus I may be able to save a lot if I do multiple windows of the same size at once

I think we can call it an end wall

Now for the front door and such

Added dynamic window/blocking. Now I don't have to create a separate render just for utility structures and one for the library (which will have an identical footprint to this)

I think I like the door to be off-center after all. Something about having it right in the middle seems too "regular" for my aesthetics

Besides, the extra room on the exterior wall can get me a nice planter or trellis feature

By happy coincidence, if I keep the 16" on center stud arrangement, I can share one of the standard studs as a king stud if I use a door with a 27.5" rough opening. Since the shelters are small, I don't really mind having a smaller door. We'll see if this can also work for the main cabin

12 Year old me sitting in math class: "This is so dumb. When am I ever gonna need this algebra malarkey in real life"

Today me: "Well, kid, one day you'll be designing your cabin roof..."

Oh neat! #OpenSCAD has basic math functions built in. That makes rafter cuts super simple 👍

Not sure if I'm comfortable cutting out more than that off the rafter. These are 2x6 since the footprint is so small. But I figured if I kept the roof steep enough, this shouldn't matter too much