Thanks-don't know what I was doing but it works now?

Shaded with texture is selected.

From time to time I find myself not able to apply colour or textures, no matter if I triple click on component or just to closed component I can't apply colour- It must be a simple proceedure I am missing-any suggestions?
Earle

Sounds good , if you ever come close to Prince Edward County in Ontario and I'll make the pie.
My son uses sketchup and is an architect -different work but combined with Autocad maybe groups have a purpose? I'll talk to him. Thanks for the time you must spend to keep idiots like me informed.
Earle

Yes, I understand that-there must be a reason on maybe a high rise building or something? anyway you have been a real help-can I send you a homemade apple pie or something

Oh, ok so I have learned that too -so you don't use groups either-what is your reason?

Yes Dave and I think I used improper terms, I very seldom make a group as it puts everything back on layer 0 -that really messes me up. will look at the link you sent=thanks again for help.

No, I didn't make group I did the same thing that I did when it worked--but I found that one small piece was not made unique and I think this is what caused the problem.--work clean all the time eh? thanks
Earle

Thanks guys,
Like alot of things in sketchup you fumble through till it works. Working in layers in a 3d environment is indeed picky. I did the same thing I did before, I selected each of the 4 components and copied/moved. Selected each component on the new set and made unique. then selected all and placed on 2nd. layer and it worked-don't know why this time but I must have missed something the other 8 times I did it.

I have a table top made with a few components. I want to have another design from original, I select all the components and group them then copy and drag away. I make the new copy unique and set it to a new layer. All is fine but if I hide the layers and try to show just the new layer it will not sho unless the other layer is visible also??