[Request] Group > Select Instances > Convert to A Component
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After working on a model for a while you discover that repetitions of a group could have been a component and you'd like to slim-down the model's filesize. For example you might have 25 instances of a 45deg, 10" diameter pipe-elbow with an 8" radius.
So my are questions are:
1- Can you select all instances of a group?
2- Could you then convert the group and all its instances into a component?This could be a nice "clean up" script.
Regards, John
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Didn't Thom already write something like this? I don't recall. Maybe search his plugins though,
Chris
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If the groups are still copes of themself, as in the Entity info displays how many number of copies there are, then yes - use my Selection Toys plugins to convert group copies into components.
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I also got scheduled a tool that let you select groups/components and use a dropper tool to pick an in-model component to replace the selected groups/components.
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Thom:
Yes, I assumed they would be identical copies as shown in Entity Info ... that what initiated me post this thread.
The eydropped idea is great! So I assume then you'd have to interpret the axis/orientation somehow?
Also, wondering if you be able to choose to whether or notto copy color properties or textures or any other properties that may be involved with the object being "sucked"
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I'm just asking and not trying to change anyone's working habits but I wonder why not make components instead of groups from the get go? I never make groups when I draw. Only components. I read that some folks don't like components because they take longer to make because you have to type a name but if I don't care what the component is called I just let SketchUp auto-name it.
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I make groups in order to keep the Component Browser list clean. I prefer to only have listed items that I will be reusing, not filled with one-time comps.
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Hi Dave:
As you work a complex model you may observe repetitive patterns in geometry. 3 days later you decide to tweek a component ... but you've mirror or rotated a few instances and forgot about them or the design has changed and the adjacent or adjoining geometry changes now you've got a problem that could be buried in your model and wont show up until you apply a section cut. Lots of different scenarios particular when you've mirrored and rotated a component. Therefore, if you are unsure, its not worth the risk of having to bore down through 3 or 4 levels of subgroups and components.
The other gotcha: you've got Entity Info closed and its the end of the day, have a looming deadline and are rushed, or you haven't finished your early morning coffee
You edit a component which you thought was a group and you've turned off the appearance of other instances via Model Info > Hide Similar Components. You don't notice a problem until well after the change. -
Thank you Thomas and John,
I do work on complex models but since I never make groups, I don't have Hide Similar (or Hide Rest of Model) checked and Entity Info is always open, I've never run into those problems. I do see where you're coming from though.
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The "eyedropper" sounds similar to ApplyTo - or did I misunderstand something?
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Rick, are you suggesting that "Apply To" could be adapted for use with a group and its instances?
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componentizegroupsinstances.rb
This script will do what you want - put it into the Plugins Folder.
You need to type [or copy/paste]componentizegroupsinstancesinto the Ruby Console...
However, it can easily have a menu item added if it's needed more frequently...
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