Hi all,

First post here so be gentle....:)
I've been playing with sketchup for a little bit and as I'm experimenting around with a frame I find myself wondering what is a good tying joint design i can use where a post, tie-beam, plate and common rafter all meet?

Below is what I've been playing with - any constructive criticism , comments or refs on pics of joints solving this on are welcome.

...Some thoughts I've wrestled with in playing with this combination of intersections:
a) should the common-rafter sit on the plate or the tie beam? - i'm thinking tie-beam(which is not what i have in my pic)
b) ..if on the plate then should the rafter enter on the front-side of the plate or the middle?
c) can i peg this thing?
d) can i assemble this thing?

Dan