Dragging components to lower pane of browser no longer works
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Hi Dave, sorry about that, I just added my OS info. I actually use both free and Pro, as well as a Mac sometimes. Trying to learn a bit of it all.
On the PC, the destination library is in the program files. (mycomputer/program files (x86)/sketchup/components. All I see there are the two folders native to the software (dynamic components and components sampler).
Can I make new folders in the component browser's bottom pane or do I need to make folders in the destination library and put the components there? In SketchUp 8 I could drag components from the top pane to the bottom right in the browser. So you're saying you can still do this?
I had a thread about this a few days ago about the Mac. Still not sure how I'm supposed to make new folders and store components in it on that (I don't mean linking local collections to the browser).
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Thank you for filling that in.
OK. On Windows 7 and Mac 10.8.x you'll have to set permissions for the Components folder just like you'd do for Plugins. I expect the reason you can't drag components to the secondary pane is the library is in that currently locked up Components folder. It would be the same as trying to move a file from your desktop or documents folder into that folder.
You don't have to use the Components folder as a repository for components you've made. You can create a new local collection in your Documents folder if you wish. I've always used the Components folder but that's really a hold over from the old days. It's easy for me because I know where to look.
On the PC you can set the default location for components in Preferences. In the Components browser on both you can set your new folder wherever you've created it as a favorite so it'll show in the future.
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How do I set permissions? (and is that what you mean by "locked up" components folder?) I never had to do that before.
I used to have a desktop shortcut to the program files components folder and would just drop components into it. That's basically the same thing as putting them in the secondary pane, correct? Is there a benefit to that vs. linking a local collection? Any reason to do one over the other?
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First, setting permissions on Mac and Win 7 is different.
On Mac navigate to the Components folder in Finder. Right click on it and choose More Info. There you can edit the permissions. Grant Read and Write permissions for everyone.
On PC, navigate to the Components folder, right click on it and choose Properties. Then the Security tab. Click on Edit, choose your log in and change all the permissions to Allow.
You can save components in a number of ways. I like dragging them from the In Model pane to the desired folder showing in the secondary pane. For me this makes it easy to organize components by type so I can find them easily later. I have folders for hinges and wooden door pulls, metal door pulls, screws and other hardware. I can quickly select the destination folder in that secondary pane and drag the components I need down there. By having the folders set up to show in the components browser I don't have to go hunting for the folder I want via File>Import.
You could also right click on a component and choose Save as... and save it wherever you want.
Some people like to draw components they'll save as individual SKP files. They'll open a blank session, draw the component, save it and then open a new blank session to draw the next component. I find it saves time to just draw all the components I'm making in one sitting in a single SKP file. I drag off the finished components into the appropriate libraries and I'm finished. sometimes I just make those kind of components in the project I'm working on. this is especially true of things like wood screws. I started out with a single, adjustable woodscrew several years ago. As I need different sized screws I have modified the original and now I have a hardware store full of screws and nuts and bolts and washers. I make new ones as I need them and drag them off to the correct library in the components browser.
In the end, whether you drag components into the folder in the secondary pane or save the components to that folder via Save as... The result is the same.
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Thanks so much, Dave! Just two more questions, if I may:
"you can save components in a number of ways. I like dragging them from the In Model pane to the desired folder showing in the secondary pane."
How do I make a folder in the secondary pane? Right-clicking inside it doesn't seem to work, or should it work? Am I supposed to make the folder in the program files?
<< in the end, whether you drag components into the folder in the secondary pane or save the components to that folder via Save as... The result is the same. >>
But that's not the same as linking the browser to a local collection, is it? Specifically, I use the Details arrow to open the fly-out menu and choose "open or create a local collection." I make the collection, and then choose "add to favorites." I was wondering what benefit that is vs. saving components in the software.
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@rose123 said:
How do I make a folder in the secondary pane? Right-clicking inside it doesn't seem to work, or should it work? Am I supposed to make the folder in the program files?
You make a folder by clicking the Details arrow and in the menu choose Open or Create a Local Collection. Navigate to the location you want and then, choose to make a new folder if it doesn't already exist.
@rose123 said:
<< in the end, whether you drag components into the folder in the secondary pane or save the components to that folder via Save as... The result is the same. >>
But that's not the same as linking the browser to a local collection, is it? Specifically, I use the Details arrow to open the fly-out menu and choose "open or create a local collection." I make the collection, and then choose "add to favorites." I was wondering what benefit that is vs. saving components in the software.
Yes. It really is all the same. You could navigate in Windows Explorer or Finder to the location where you want your new components folder(s) to live and then make the new folder(s). If you already have components you've saved elsewhere, you could move them into that folder. Then you could go to the Components browser and do the Open or Create... and choose the folder.
Adding it to favorites just ensures that sketchUp will always show that folder in the list of component libraries.
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Ok, I think I got it. My confusion was over the term "local collection." Local collection, to me, implies a folder on the computer that isn't inside the software. But a local collection can indeed be installed in the software, if I understand this correctly now.
I adjusted the permissions and it works! I can now drag from top to bottom pane. When I click "open or create a local collection," a new folder appears. That folder can be created in the program files if I navigate to it. So it would be in the software. But if I place it anywhere else, like on the desktop, it ISN'T in the software. Correct?
And it doesn't matter if the folder is in the software or not -no benefit either way?
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Oops, I see I cross-posted w/you. But it looks like you're confirming what I said.
Can you tell me the specific path to link to the program files in the Mac to do this? I'm not a Mac person ...still trying...
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BTW, I never had to set permissions on my own computer before, so that info was great, thanks. Funny, in the "groups" box, the first entry was CREATOR OWNER. I guess that's the SketchUp folks? Because only that group had permission to do anything, lol. I bet a lot of casual users like myself are going to come up against that if that is indeed the default on installation.
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It sounds like you must have found your way to the Components folder while I was off saving the world. (fixing an anesthesia machine, really.
) I wasn't really advocating that you create your new component folders there. I do but you don't have to. I was just trying to clarify why you couldn't drag and drop your components.You might choose to create a whole new folder with sub folders in it in which you'll sort your components.
FWIW, a local collection is simply a folder on your computer in which you collect components. The same process works on PC for Materials and Styles too. Don't let it overwhelm you. It really isn't all that difficult or complex.
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I found my way to the PC components folder. If I could get the exact path to the Mac's, that would be great. After you're done fixing the anesthesia machines, that is.
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On my Mac there isn't a Components folder. Not to worry. Just make your new components folders on both machines in the Documents folder. Or put them on a second hard drive if you have such a critter.
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Ok. Well, I've been working on my Mac now and saw that if I go to the Warehouse through the browser and download something, I'm given the option of downloading it into the model. However, the PC doesn't give me the download-into-model option anymore (in version 2013). Have you found that to be the case, too?
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It certainly does on mine. PC Win 7 64b SU2013
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Thanks, Box. Did you get that screen through the components browser? I can get it if I click on the warehouse download tool icon. But oddly, not through the browser on my PC. Wonder if a setting is messed up somewhere?
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If you click on a warehouse component in the Components browser, it should just download and be ready to install in the current model window in the same way a component would come in from a local collection.
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Yeah I don't get what it is you want it to do, if you are in the component browser you are already in the model so why would it ask you if you want it in the model? Click, it downloads and it's in the current model. Perhaps Mac asks you because the windows aren't docked to one specific instance of SU unlike PC.
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Box -regardless, in version 8 it asked me if i wanted the component downloaded to the model, anyhow, and the choice was given to download it elsewhere. dave says he still gets that screen, so i guess i have to figure out why i'm not. i do appreciate everyone's input, it's a big help!
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I think you might be mixing me a Dave up, I said I get it, but that was through the warehouse link not through the component browser.
Edit: and a quick check of SU8 on PC, same thing, straight into the model without asking.
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@rose123 said:
Box -regardless, in version 8 it asked me if i wanted the component downloaded to the model, anyhow, and the choice was given to download it elsewhere. dave says he still gets that screen, so i guess i have to figure out why i'm not. i do appreciate everyone's input, it's a big help!
If I implied I get that screen when I'm downloading through the Components browser, I apologize. I don't get that and never have. I only get that option if I have my internet browser open to the 3D Warehouse. when I choose a 3DWH model from the Components browser it comes right into the current SketchUp model. Don't spend anymore time trying to fix something that isn't broken.
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