Components on Components on Com...

[Snocat]

I've been asked by a friend to design a large desk for him and I thought it would be an excellent excuse to learn SketchUp! I've started over three times now so I count that as good progress, I keep plugging away and learning what I'm doing wrong. Up until now I've found the answers to each problem on YouTube or various Forums, but I've come upon a problem that I can't find the answer to. I've seen a lot of articles and videos acknowledge it but not one then answered it. Hopefully, you kind folk can help.

I'm attempting to make each piece a component as I've come to understand that this will keep me from making a lot of errors as well as enabling me to generate a cut list. However, I immediately run into a problem. I want to wrap a piece of elm burl or a nicely patterned slab in a 1/8 strip of maple, then wrap that in a 7/8 strip of cherry. I'll let my friend decide the woods as he's in the USA and has access to way more than I would.

Here's half the desktop...

I can make it component, but then I can't use follow me to add the maple...

And If I add the strip, I can't seem to just choose the elm to make a component, and I' still have to add the cherry...

Could anyone help me out, or point me to a tutorial that explains this? Like I said, everything I've seen acknowledges it but doesn't tell me how to get past it.

Thank You in advance!

Dave Penney

[JQL]

You can create a component for the desktop, select the curve you need for follow me and create a new component from the curve.

Edit the curve component draw you profile and use follow me to make the first rim.

Repeat the process for the second rim.

You now have 3 components nested inside each other. You can "unnest" them by using the outliner WINDOW > OUTLINER and drag them around. Or you can do that by entering the first component, using EDIT MENU > CUT (CTRL+X) on the Rims component, exiting the component by hitting ESC, and then pasting the component in place using EDIT MENU > PASTE IN PLACE (You can define a short cut for this.)

[Dave R]

Dave, I sent you a PM.

[Snocat]

Thank you both for your quick replies! You been of immense help to me and I'm glad I chose to join this forum!