DC instance make unique

[jolran]

That's all very interesting, and probably quite important for us new to Sketchup Ruby to understand how groups and components works.

@unknownuser said:

If you compare the method lists, between Group and ComponentInstance, you'll see they have nearly the same methods.
The difference? A Group cannot be saved out to a file (directly) for use in other models, and it's easier to get at a ComponentInstance's definition, because there's an API method for it.

I was wondering about behaviors? I noticed that if you have a face, draw a square on it and 3pl click to select. Then make a group out of that, it will behave like a cutting component onto that face. You can even unglue it if you rightclick.
However there is no "glue_to" method for groups in the API.

[Dan Rathbun]

@jolran said:

However there is no "glue_to" method for groups in the API.

Right.. and you should not use a Group, for the job of a ComponentInstance.

Groups are best used for temporary editing both manual and in scripting.

By collecting objects together into a Group, you can:

• move them from one edit context to another,
• protect them from being modified by crossing edges,
• apply a tranform to a set of objects all at once (where they move, scale or rotate all together.)

I would say, that when you get a "set" of objects the way you want, and then wish to use that set multiple places in the model, it's best to then convert them into a ComponentInstance. Especially if your going use scripting, to manipulate them, or glue them to faces.