To start, I would like to thank everyone who replied to "An easier way to do this" a post by Carcharodon. I also read "welding "Groups" together" by Curtis.
Both these post caused me to go back and review the part of "Google Sketchup for Dummies" book, which covers the use of Outline, Compoments and Groups. After reviewing those sections, I feel that I was correct (as I outlined my use of Layers) in the easier way post.

But, reviewing the book renewed expanded my knowledge of Layers and such. One point is the use of components in modeling. Also, Using the knowledge gained by reading "Welding "Groups"...I now plan to make more use of components. Thank all of you again, because people do read these post and good thinks come from it.

Question: I have a model that is all ready in progress that has several parts that could have been components. I could make one of these parts into a component. Once the "component" is created, do I have to delet the other excesting part and replace then with an "Instances" of the new component or is there and easier way of doing it? Thanks for your help, Bob

Trying to extrude the profile attached to the edge of the plate component supplied on the attached file. Using Follow-Me, the extruded profile does not follow around the corners. Where am I going wrong? Your sugestions please.
Thank you for your help, Bob

PLATE-19.skp

Juan, I rejoice in the fact that we, you in Spain and me in the US can post messages over the internet and that is the truth and the world is smaller. There is one quote that I have heard many time in my lifetime " Believe nothing that you hear and only half of what you see". I use that as a guide for my thinking. One person is not right or the other person wrong, their views are different. Also,"Do not try to change or fix something before you know how it works; It may not need fixing" and "Take care of your people and they well take care of you".

I have a degree in reginal and city planning. My planning may be the best for the city, but the plans implementation well be political in nature and I know for a fact, that the result fall short of what they could have been. Such is the result of political involment.

Always look at the Cause (what you plan on doing) and the Effect (the result of your action) before you put a plan into action. Nato put a plan together that was to save Libyan lifes. I belive, that result or effect was far more than what they had visioned. I war, things get out of control, when the first shoot is fired and Nato involment was part of that lack of control. Did they do the right thing or should a few good men stand and do nothing? Put together a plan and then work the plan. I think helping the people was the correct thing; I would of liked to have seen some better control and may be better results.

Is there a way of knowing who or what the Transitional Government or the Human
Right League is about or where they stand? I do not know were to find the facts or the truths of both organizations. I worry for the future of Libya. I would not want tne Muslins to obtain control of Libya. My stand is that Libya is for the Libyans. However, I have few facts or knowledge about the Libyan people. May their new found freedom and happyness live forever.

So, Ben Laden was killed without a trial. Can you prove that he was killed or did not have a trial? Are you taking someone word as fact? Ben Laden was behind the killing of 3000 plus people in the World Trade Center. Did Ben Laden have then tried in a neutrial court before giving the order? What about the millions of people killed in Russia; where they given a chance to defend them selfs in court? Who in Russia tried to stop all that killing? It is easy to state what is wrong in the world; but in doing so, be prepared to state how to make things right in the world.

Do not state that you heard this or that you read that in this world; where it is difficult to obtain the truth of the matter. Is Gaddafi really dead?

Turn the streets lights on with all the other sugestions and you have it. Bob

I have used the "Save As" command many times in the past, without problems. I have made about 15 incremental copies of File-1, in order to make design changes to the model; that way I can fall back to the saved copy, if needed. The only difference with File-2, is that I "moved" the groups back to layer0. I did this to purge and clean up the model before starting the rendering process. I have not started the purge and file cleaning process, however, I did explode the whole model once it was on layer0. I have a problem with posting the 3d design model file; because the model is a house design that will be for sale. Intellectural property (copyright)thing. If there is a way of posting my designs on the forum without losing my rights to the design; I would love to share then with the members. TIA, Bob

Used "Save As", created a copy of File-1, including a new file name, File-2. I deleted the parts of the model grouped on different layers of File-2 the whole model is now back on layer0. The problem is, that deleteing the layers on File-2 also deleted the layers on File-1. Where Did I go wrong?
Thanks for your help, Bob

You people are making to much of this layer thing. I do not put lines on one layer and faces on another. I put conponents and groups on different layers only to control their visabillity. Double clicking on a conponent or group on a given layer, to me, is the same as changing that layer to active. True, if all the layers are turned on, they would show up on layer0. If you wish to edit the Cs or Gs on layer0, select than do a right click and select edit. I chose to change layers to edit, because to me, it is easer. Yes, I am a Autocad user a long with Autodesk Inventer, Autodesk Viz, Twilight Render and Chief Architect. All these programs have layers and I use than as I wish. You should not assume that I have not read the users manual, help files and on the Sketchup web site, because I have. I even read about all the damgers of not modeling everything on layer0; including losing faces and edges. I replied to this post, trying to help the person who started this post. I did not see any of the other posters trying to help him. The last thing I want to do, is piss-off any-body on this forum. I may need your help in the future. Sketchup is a set of electronic drawing tools, to be tried, explored and to find different way of using than. Bob

Never change the active layer, really? Them how do you make changes to the components or groups, that have been moved to other layers? Move then back to layer0, make the changes and then move them back to their own layer? Moving components or groups to a different layer after they are created on layer0; is that not the same as creating a layer, making it active and then modeling the
object on that layer? As I see it, there is no right or wrong way to use layers; just what ever way is best for you. Bob

Your photos inspire me to get out there at night and do some shooting of my own.I like the star effect on the lights. I the effect obtained by using a filter or the effect of the lens aperture? The star effect, I fell, adds life
and warmth to your photos. Thanks for sharing. Bob

1. Cleck on the Select icon and while holding down the Control key; select only the outside walls of the first floor, using your mouse.
2. While the walls are still selected; click on the Move icon and the Control key to copy the outside walls. Move the copy to a clear area on the monitor.
3. Make the copy a component or group and then make the required changes.
4. Select the component and select the Move icon; Then move it to the required location on the model.

When doing a model of a apartment complex, I do the follow:

1. Model a single apartment module, make it an conponent and place the modules as needed.
2. model stair wells, and other modules as needed and make then components.
3. Create assemblies of the modules(conponents)and place then on different layers.
4. Place the floors, the short section, roof, landscaping, etc on their own layers. Then,I can turn the layers off or on, so I can get into to the area where I want to work.
   Create an outline of how you want to manage the modeling, including a list of layers. The important part of using layers, is to make the layer on which you
   plan to model, the active layer.

Very interesting, what else wound I expect from you?
Can you make it expand and contract, change colors?

If possible clients do not know that you exist, they can not supply you with work or refer
you to others. So, you have to let people outside this forum know that you exist. Contact
your local office of SCORE. This is a group of retired business people that can help you
create a business plan. They well meet with you as many times as needed to help you with
your plan. The business plan will help you focus on ways to expand your client base and other
ways of operating your business. After all, most of us are good artist, but do not know how
to run a business. Check with you local Small Business Bureau or on the internet. Also, check
out SCORE on the internet. Business plans are required if you should think of obtaining an
business loan to help expand your operation. Remember, Working with Sketchup is the "fun part
of business", "running a business is not fun". You have to find that happy balance.

I once sent out a letter of interduction to 300 possible clinets. I received 2 replies. One
of those replies started an twenty year working relationship and at the same time, became
great friends. If you reach out, sometimes, it only takes one.

I always thought that the main idea behind Sketchup, was to keep it simple, so everyone could use it with little knowledge of 3D software. I think that basic Sketchup fits that concept. We have seen further development with the addition of Presentation to Sketchup Pro and might continue in that direction.

Look what happened to Microsoft Vista. Most people thought it was over-developed and did not buy the software. Microsoft saw the light and produced Windows 7 sofware.

Reducing the size of the Sketchup development team would be a sign; that there were no plans to continue developing Sketchup Pro. Has there been a reduction of team size?

The C-130J once had 8 blade contra-rotating propellers; are they no longer used?

thanks, Bob

3D television is move that a rumor. Get on the internet and doa search for 3D televisions. Bob

Hi, I live in Vancouver, Wa 360-571-8348; I would like to meet with you and look over
your requirements. Bob

Never draw anything twice. Never draw anything twice. In my cad days it was Blocks.
In SU, make it a component. My tip, Bob

While on the Daily Catch Up web site:

1. On the Internet Explorer brouser, select Add to Favorites.

2. In the add favorites dialog box, Select Add.

3. When you want to go to the site, select Favorites on the internet
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4. From the Favorites list, Select Daily Catch Up.