@shawb said:
Use the 'Save as a local collection' option in the component tray tab. This will save all the components in the model as separate SKPs to a folder of your choice. Use 'Open or create a local collection' to bring in your junk yard items.
Thanks, shawb, Box, kaas. 
@shawb said:
Create a Local Collection of the components in the junk yard and display with large thumbnails in the Component tray. That way the components will be available at whatever group/component level you happen to have open. Maybe easier than trailing around a junk yard trying to spot what you need?
I think I know what you mean. I think I was trying to avoid that because of how many components I'd be dealing with (I assume each comp. must be added separately). It certainly would be quicker and easier if the settings could be saved with the Scenes, but I will reconsider this alternative way. Thank you.
@box said:
So it has nothing to do with scenes, are you talking about nesting of groups/components and how to get in and out of them for editing?
Scenes or not, I just want to click a button and be taken to one or the other area and automatically be inside however many levels of nested grouping to be able to work on whatever part it may be.
For example, I have that Junk Yard, as I call it, where I pick out a part I need, then I fly back to where I was working. The Junk Yard is outside of all other parts and components, so in order to grab a component I need, I must exit/close several times, and then enter/open several times again to resume working. Making sense now?
https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/419f646dcd29d7ab3f5cfb2966292c1b/Junk-Yard-of-Parts
I could've sworn that years ago I didn't need to do this. I recently resumed playing around with SU after a long hiatus, hence relearning some things.
Thanks for your attention.
@box said:
Changing scenes shouldn't effect the open/close status of a group/component.
What I meant is that one part is OUTSIDE of the other part (by several levels), so it is necessary to re-open/enter the group I've just left. Do you understand? Am I missing something? Thanks.
Hi. I don't know whether this is already possible:
I frequently go back and forth between two parts of a model (2 Scenes); this means having to open/close groups repeatedly, wasting much time. Is this something that can be saved with Scenes to make it happen automatically?
I'm using old SU 8 at the moment. Thanks.
https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/419f646dcd29d7ab3f5cfb2966292c1b/Junk-Yard-of-Parts
FYI: Your avatar is an ape, not a monkey.
@dale said:
Yes thank you for this. I have been working a lot with Kerkythea,and I find that I am slowly starting to be able to take advantage of some of it's power. This just really helps to fill in one of the blanks I have been working on.
I am in awe of your work, as well.
THX
I get the unsoftening when I maximizeor "restore down" the SU window. But not every time, I think. And the Edit menu then contains an "Undo Soften..." option.
@unknownuser said:
Do you mean to move a group/component from a nested group/component?
If so use the 'Outliner' dialog box found in the 'Window' menu. You can drag and drop compnonents or groups in and out of nested enviroments.
Oops, my mistake. 
I meant to say LAYERS. Moving between layers!! Silly me. So is it possible? Layer0 being the default layer, etc. I've been very sloppy in using layers thus far. Thanks again.
Edit: By changing certain groups' or components' Entity Info, I've been able to change their layers (apparently), but for some of them it just won't work. Why is that?
Pardon me if this has been asked a million times. . .
How can I movea group/component from one levelto another? I thought it would be simple enough. Thanks!