Edit geometry simultaneously across groups
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Edit geometry simultaneously across groups the way you edit points, edges, polys in a typical solid modeler (as if the groups were objects)
Maybe there's some plugin like this that already exists, but I couldn't find it in searching. Would be nice when you've created a complex model with lots of groups and need to shift a volume, to be able to select all the edges/polys in that area from all groups intersecting that area and adjust those edges.
Current implementation, you have to go into each group and make the adjustment individually. This is a one step process in most any other modelling program, and depending on model complexity a nightmare in Sketchup. -
You are talking about groups which on do not change when changes are made to them. Make your geometry into components instead of groups. Then when you modify one the others change as well.
Hope this is what you are after.
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I see what you are talking about, one edit inside one component instance changes all other instances of that component, but that's not what I'm referring to.
Say you have some furniture, windows and doors in your model that are instances of components and that works fine. Now let's say those windows are in unique groups of walls for each floor, each floor and the roof is a group, and maybe you have some other groups for things like railings, storefront, and foundations. Now let's say you want to shift a bearing wall from foundation to floor 2' to the left [and simultaneously transform all "objects" affected by the alteration]. In a typical 3d modeler, you just area select from a top view by edges or points and move everything 2' to the left. In Sketchup you must go into each group and make the transformation individually. -
Sounds like you need to change your way of working with layers, groups etc? And to start using named groups/components and Outliner? The way you describe that other 3d modelers do it is exactly the way I'd do it in SU, although usually (but not necessarily) with groups/components instead of with lines and faces.
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Yes you are right you can't do that in Sketchup that I know of. I have used other CAD programs that can do what you want. If you just want to make a wall longer you could just scale it.
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Slimdog, yes, you've got it, thanks. However the scale tool is not a replacement because if your geometry is anything more than an extruded profile (say, a 5 1/2" thick wall) that you are scaling only in the direction of extrusion without any holes or niches, you will end up with distorted profile.
Bjoraka, I think I make the best of layers, groups and components in sketchup that I can and it is nothing like how I model in other programs, and I like that. Been using Sketchup for ~4 years. I don't mean to say it's impossible, just time consuming to go through everything and adjust each group affected by the shifted area even with proper naming once you have a fairly well developed model. It's a wish. To be able to select the desired edges from groups that fall within an area selection and then use the move tool on them. -
It is very quick to reorder object hierarchies with the Outliner tool. Are you using that tool?
Also, if you put all your groups for each floor on its own layer, and don't make a big group of the entire floor, you could quite easily turn layers/floors on/off and select and move objects across layers.
But if you want to move individual edges/faces you'd still have to go inside groups. I don't know if it is possible to make such a plugin. -
Not concerned about objects getting out of order, not concerned with objects that are being moved. Merely concerned with 'altering' unique objects that must change shape to fit each other. E.g. "whoops we're 2' outside the zoning envelope, let's move everything back 2' from column line 'B'" Moving the columns is easy. But each floor, partition, wall, storefront group etc. must be opened and edited separately as necessary, moving only the faces which need to move, using an 'area select' and 'move' within each group. Just want to do this in one step. I bet if this were easy to do as a plugin it would have been done already.
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