On 1/15/2013 5:15 PM, wrote:
On Tue, 15 Jan 2013 16:28:02 -0600, Swingman wrote:


A "Component" is appropriate when you want to reuse the exact same
component/collection of individual geometry, multiple times (studs,
beams, stiles, rails, etc.)

But then if you cut a stud, it cuts them all. ;-/ That's the way I
was using them, then found that I was "making separate" every one
anyway.

Not necessarily, right click on the one component that you want to
change differently than others, and select "Make Unique".

You can then change that one without changing the other like components.

Components can also attach themselves automatically to other geometry
(faces, horizontal faces only, etc) and they can also be easily stored
and reused in other files.

That's an area that I'm totally lost; reuse. I just make "components"
their own files and import them. There has to be a better way to make
a "library" of components.

3D warehouse is a vast library of millions of components:

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/

The difference can also be an important factor in file size and
performance of the model and computer:

With "groups", each copy of a group added to the model is stored in the
model, thus multiple copies of a "group" add to the file size.

I see that. The same deal if components are made separate.

Nope ... there is only one single instance of each unique component in
SketchUp file ... all "copies" of that component are 'inserted
instances' of that unique component, and as such, are not stored in the
file as a copy, and therefore do not add to the file size.

With "components", there is only one of each unique component stored in
the model, all copies of that component inserted in a model are simply
an instance of that one stored component.

I see that, too. This brings up another point. Of what use is the
"name" of the component? Can it be edited?

Sure ... right click|Entity Info|Double click "Definition Name" and
change away.

NOTE: as stated previously in another thread ... it is well to note that
the use of multiple "nested" components in a model can indeed slow
SketchUp's performance ... regardless of file size.

It sure makes work easier if one can hide them while working
elsewhere, though. I always like to work in a hierarchy, if possible.
Unfortunately, it looks like only about half of what's needed to make
the hierarchy really work is in there. ...or at least tripped across,
yet. ;-)

In a word, "Layers" ... learn to use layers effectively and you will
find that everything that is needed is already there.

A word of caution with layers ... until you are absolutely proficient
with all aspects of the program, and I do meant obtain 'expert' status,
ONLY do your modeling on Layer0!!

This is extremely important because geometry hidden and/or geometry/
elements/artifacts/ assigned to unseen layers can cause you all kinds of
grief when drawing and assembling models.

--
eWoodShop: www.eWoodShop.com
Wood Shop: www.e-WoodShop.net
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KarlCaillouet@ (the obvious)