wrote:
On Tue, 15 Jan 2013 20:00:38 -0600, Leon wrote:

wrote:
On Tue, 15 Jan 2013 18:10:36 -0600, Swingman wrote:

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.
Right. Now you have two components. That takes more storage, no? No
better than two groups?

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/
Right. I want that on my disk.

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.
Right, but once you make one "unique" doesn't that make it a new
component? ....

....Hmm, after trying it again, perhaps not.

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.
Cool. Now what good is it?

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.
I've run into "Layers". It hurt.

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!!
Well, that's where I am. ;-) I'll soon be back at it, though.

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.
Hmm, one day I'll understand what you just said. ;-) Are you saying
that it's easy to get multiple objects living in the same space? ...or
something more sinister?
Something else to play with. Often you need mirror images of a component,
some times mirror images of the mirror images. Copy the component, scale
it with a factor of "-1" and you get a mirror image without having to copy
and rotate. Now if you edit the original all mirrored copies update as a
mirror image also.

Foe example drawer sides. Draw one and copy then scale the opposite side.
If you add a groove for a bottom
or rabbet on the end the scale copy gets the changes where you want them
also.
Ok, but can you scale with a factor of -1 in one dimension only? If
your groove doesn't go through, does it get it end up still in the
"back", say. IOW, if your drawer slide stops 2" short of the drawer
front, does the groove now stop 2" short of the drawer back, on the
top instead of the bottom (after flipping)?

Maybe you should try it, and tell us?
It would just be a 10 minutelearning-experiment, right?
To be honest, some of my attempts at using this feature have
not been successes(in those case, I've given-in and worked around it).
Ithink
I'm getting closer to "getting it", butI am not at a level to dispense
advice.
IIRC,I assessed my SU-Rating as 2 out of 10. : )

Cheers,
Bill