Is there a function to cycle through different groups?
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I'd like to present many design variations within sketchup. Is there a way to easily cycle through different models on the fly?
For example. I'm designing an extension, but would like to quickly, and easily, cycle through several of the designs to compare what they look like. Without having to delete or hide, then replace different options (by dropping them in from a well orgainsed and named directory then orientating them into position, therefore needing all the the axes synced etc).
Surely this would be a relatively simple plugin? If so, designing a modular house, with all the variations for each modular group loaded within the same save file, you'd be able to present every combination and discuss them very easily. Which strikes me as a very powerful feature. Better still, within each of the modular groups, have yet more variability.
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I do similar work occasionally but I make all the model in the same file and just put different variations into their own group and put the group onto its own layer. Then use layer visibility to control what is being shown. I automate the toggling back and forth by setting up scenes that only control layer visibility so I can go from option 1 to option 2 with a single little click on the scene tab.
Its not perfect, but it typically works well for what I need.
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Sounds like a job for Scenes. A Scenes can be thought of as a collection of properties such as object visibility, layer visibility, and camera position.
http://support.google.com/sketchup/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=39656
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And you can cycle through Scenes using PgUp and PgDn.
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Incidentally, I have an old (and of course, rather basic) model where you can go scene by scene and different parts of the house "appear" on the fly. Certainly you can do a more complex one with different variations turned on/off.
http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=ff5e479bc33c72c1b9c95966dbc09e1
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Thanks for your responses everyone. I haven't used layers or scenes yet, so here goes...
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Perfect Gai, your model made life easier. Scenes and layers are dead easy!
SketchUpVideo Tutorial: Layers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBdP499iw0Yand Scenes
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Ah well, all the others above suggested the same - I just thought a model can demonstrate it easier.
Be very careful however to only assign groups or components to any other layer than Layer 0 (i.e. all "primitive" geometry either loose in the model or inside groups/components should remain on this layer) otherwise you end up like in that first video you linked to.
Do not even change the active layer (with the round radio buttons) but stay on Layer 0 all the time. Life will be much easier.
Also, examine the Scene manager. If you turn off the camera position, you can change scenes (and with those, different layers) without the camera moving.
If you watch this video, during the first quarter, Chris (who posted above) explains how he uses scenes, layers and styles for easier modelling. Not exactly what you are after but very informative!
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