Location of Libraries - Preferences

Robert Pearce · 1 May 2008, 06:36

(Note: This issue is affecting my Components, Materials, and Styles (CM&S) libraries, but for convenience sake I am just referring to the materials library for this discussion).

I've just relocated all my components, materials, and styles to my home network drive, so I can have consistant information between my desktop and laptop computers. I often work in different areas of my house, and am getting frustrated by not having the same information available on both systems.

I revised my "System Preference > Files" area to reflect the new network drive location. When I start SketchUp, and click on the Materials icon (for example) it still looks in my C:\Program Files\Google...Materials directory and lists that materials directory underneath the In Model materials. Shouldn't it be listing the relocated network directory, since that is where the Preferences is directing it to?

I've gone to "Materials > Details" and added a library (the network material directory) to favorites (defaults to name Material<1>), but the new library shows up at the BOTTOM of the list, below the C drive Google\Materials sub-directories. I temporarily changed the name of the Google\Materials drive so SU wouldn't find it, but it still lists my materials in the follow way:

In Model
Materials <--- lists this whether or not the directory is there

Materials<1> <--- the materials directory on the network drive

Is there anyway I can keep SU from referencing the Materials directory in the Google directory? Is this a bug or is it intended to be this way? My intent was to delete the CM&S directories from my desktop, and just keep the files on the network drive, where they can be shared.

If there is no way to avoid this, what is the purpose of setting up the file locations in Preferences?

This is kind of a minor thing, but it is bugging me. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Gaieus · 1 May 2008, 08:16

I think - if your network library works fine - you can delete (or rather move somewhere else just in case you screw something up) your original materials/component libraries so the don't show up in the browser. Than tthe only libraries would be the ones you relocated.

Robert Pearce · 2 May 2008, 07:34

Hi Gaieus-
I have tried both renaming and deleting my Component, Materials, and Styles directories from the Google\SketchUp directory, but the directory name still shows up when I open up the browser for each of those items. I have "added a library to favorites" for each one, and all the correct files are accessible from the network, but the initial directory name still exists under "In Model", even though no directory exists.

The more I think about it, the more I believe it may be just a bug. I still cannot figure out what the effect of setting up file locations under "Preferences" is for, if it is not referencing the correct directory location and the pulldown shows a directory that is not there.

sorgesu · 2 May 2008, 13:52

just a thought. I know you are seeing the correct set up but just to try anyway. Can you save your new preferences set up to a new template and then load that template.
Then reopen and see if that doesn't make it happen?

sorgesu · 2 May 2008, 13:55

Btw, can anyone tell me where these file prefernce settings are on a MAC?
I had MAC user with a laptop in one of my classes and I mentioned this in class. When he went to his Preferences settings, which is in the "SketchUP" menu item on the MAC, all of the other options showed up but not preferences. We looked under the windows menu item the file menu item etc but to no avail. We could not find this setting for the MAC.
Any one?

Robert Pearce · 2 May 2008, 16:06

Hi Susan-
Preference settings should be independent of a file, just like your keyboard shortcuts and screen layout. But having nothing to lose I tried your suggestion with no effect. Thanks for the suggestion.

sorgesu · 2 May 2008, 16:59

I thought so Robert, but then it was worth a try. Things sometimes work in mysterious ways.