Thank you so much for your help! I don't know why I couldn't figure that out. I knew about making components but never thought about the order. Now that I know it seems so obvious.

Much appreciated!

Eric

OK, I am sure this is a very stupid and obvious question.... I am not sure I can explain this well, so bear with me....

I have been working through some tutorials on sketchup. I have a top and a bottom. I draw a post to connect the top and bottom. No problem. I do this by drawing a square, flush to the bottom, and then bumping that square into 3d and dragging it to the top where it intersects.

Then I want to select just that post so I can copy it, and put it at each of the corners. I double click on the post, but not only does the post get selected but so does the bottom. I notice when I zoom in that the post is melded with the base - there is no 'line' to indicate that the bottom of the post is separate from the bottom.

What I need to do is assure that the post I draw is separate from the bottom so I can select just the post and then copy it with the move tool. In other words, at the intersection of the bottom of the post and top of the 'bottom' I need to assure the elements are separate.

I have tried to create components of each. I have also tried to draw lines in. I know you can erase a line to 'meld' 2 pieces but can't seem to do the reverse to separate them.

Can anyone help?

Thank you!

Eric the Newbie

PS What is the easiest way to select an object and have it return to the origin?