Question: Replace Instances of Components?
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Starting a new thread.
In my other question it was brought up that I should replace the groups of groups and singular groups with components.
I have picked up the plugin to convert groups to components(which is awesome).
Now - is there a way to replace in place the other instances of a component?
For my fence I have the following components:
- 1x1 cedar vert.
- 1x1 cedar hor.
- 2x4 cedar
- 1x5 cedar
- lattice
In this first model I tried selecting the target, then right clicking on the component I want in the component library and choose the replace selected. However when I did this the newly placed component did a couple of things.
First it was placed somewhere else in the model (not a direct replacement) and secondly the replicated component is listed multiple times in the outliner.How would I address the first and is the second a desired behavior/non-issue?
Thanks very much.
Best,
Todd -
When your are compiling a number of similar components that you might want to 'swap' make sure they have a matching origin-point [insertion], and that - for example if they are likely to have been scaled - say in their 'length' - that then they all have a common starting 'length'; and certainly they have a similar 'orientation' - post always extrude 'up', rails extrude 'to the right' and so on.
Otherwise swapping differently configured component definitions will move, rotate, flip, scale etc the instances unexpectedly...
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the points of origin must match in each of the components
take a look in these posts
http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=79%26amp;t=53225 -
@toddbg said:
...and secondly the replicated component is listed multiple times in the outliner.
How would I address the first and is the second a desired behavior/non-issue?
Thanks very much.
Best,
ToddThe Outliner should indeed show an entry for each instance of a component so it's a non-issue. Think of the Outliner as a text version of your model. You can access any component or group and you can see how nesting is set up if it is. Individual lines and faces won't show up in Outliner, however. There's a lot of things you can do with the Outliner but it may be best to leave that until you've got more basic stuff figured out.
TIG's got you sorted on the component origins but you might also find this, this and this of some interest.
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Thanks guys!
I'm learning something new everyday.
I thought I had a good handle on SketchUp but it seems there is so much more to learn.
Here is one of the fence panels redone as components.
Is this the way it ought to be set up?Thanks again!
Best,
Todd
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That's closer.
In some cases you've got component origins too far from the component geometry. If I were creating that model I would align the axes for those components that are identified as vertical such that the blue axis points up. That way when bringing in additional instances of those components, they will come in oriented correctly.
The way the component axes are oriented makes me think you are drawing parts and then moving them into place. It would be more efficient to draw them in situ.
Even though it won't be apparent in the model, you should also flip components that are mirrored. For example, the component you called 1x1cedar vert. Flip the ones on the back so they are mirrored relative to those on the front. It won't make a huge difference right now but if you need to edit them later, the editing will go much faster and be easier. Also flip the right end instances so they are mirrored compared to the left end ones.
You should also be painting the faces in the components with the texture image instead of painting the component wrappers. You've done that for some components but you haven't been consistent.
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Dave, the way you have positioned the component axes, at least some of the components would import with the incorrect orientation. This would make it more complicated to use those components to build another fence or whatever. It would be better practice to orient the axes so the components come in with the most likely orientation. Those parts that are supposed to be placed vertically should come in that way when dragged in from the Components window.
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Thanks Dave - I'll look at that momentarily.
Thanks for the links to the articles, I've been reading through all of those slowly, great material, though the woodworking is way beyond what I am doing. (mainly cabinets, shelves and storage for the garage workshop.Eventually I'll be moving on to making built-ins for some display cases and some form of entryway bench. Given that I am more of a weekend DIY guy I like building things out in SketchUp first so that I can see how it all goes together.
Thanks again!
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techdave to Dave R
Your right
I like to start with materials from one component and build from there 2 x 4 , 2 x 4 #1,2 x 4 #2, etc -
@toddbg said:
though the woodworking is way beyond what I am doing.
(mainly cabinets, shelves and storage for the garage workshop.It's still woodworking. The only difference is how much sanding you have to do.
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For all replacement of Components (randomly or not) try the fabulous Replacement Random Components by Sdmitch!
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