2D footprint
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Old AutoCAD user again. For factory layouts it's useful to have pieces of equipment defined as 3D models with their 2D footprint part of the same model but on a different layer. Once the model ('block' in AutoCAD, 'component' in Sketchup) has been inserted into the drawing you can toggle between a full 3D view of the factory and a drawing of 2D footprints which includes things like door swings and access clearances. However it seems that in Sketchup after I insert the component it responds only to changes in the visibility of the layer it was inserted upon, even though integral bits of the component are on other layers. Is there any way to simulate the AutoCAD behaviour?
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As a general rule: do not put anything that is not grouped or a component other than Layer0 and only put groups/components on other layers.
Now it does not mean you cannot achieve what you want: Place the footprint in as a group or component, add this onto a layer. Then add the 3D model as a group/component again, nicely aligned to this footprint and assign it onto a layer. Now select both and make a second level component of them.
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So to continue Csaba's description a little...
...make separate layers for the machine and the footprint. Associate those layers with the sub-compoents in the large component. You'll then be able to turn off the visibility of the machine when you only want to see the footprint and vice-versa. If you want, you could make a third layer for the component of the machine and footprint so you can hide both in one step.
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Finally here is an example with two scenes. To avoid cluttering of the component browser, I used this little trick to convert the "MyMachinePart" component into an external component so now only the top level component shows up until you expand the component view.
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Thanks - got it working.
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