Box & Dave R
Many thanks to you both, I've learned a lot more today.

@dave r said:

@jacm said:

The component is part of a vehicle and I made it a 'group'. I constructed in place but realised I forgot to make another piece first. So I moved the 1st component to where it is intended to be but I could not get it there. As I stated I have the use of 1 arm so continually holding another key, (I don't know which), and moving the mouse I can't do. I can use the 'Sticky keys', example; making a duplicate of a component I select the 'move' icon, press the 'Shift key', I now have 'move'+'. I hope I've made my problem clear?

The mouse that Box suggests might be a good option for you.

To invoke the copy function of the Move tool you should press Ctrl instead of Shift. The copy function is a toggle on/off sort of thing so you don't need to hold it while copying.

I wonder if the problem is the way you are grabbing the group (or component). If you want to be able to move the selected entity precisely, you need to grab it at some point that will correspond to a point at the destination. For example, if you want to move the green box so it is aligned with the red box, grab the green box by a corner and move that point to snap to the corner on the red box.

[attachment=0:3trtefec]<!-- ia0 -->2014-03-07_06-04-15.png<!-- ia0 -->[/attachment:3trtefec]

You didn't answer if the component you referred to was given gluing or geo-location attributes but then you say it is a group and groups don't get those attributes so I'm guessing it doesn't have them.

Thanks for the alternative Shift/Ctrl.
I noted from a 'tutorial' to take the 'point' to where I want to place an object which I've on a number of times but I've done something wrong this time.
What are the keys to make travel red, blue, or green only?

Sorry, I missed the point about 'gluing' or 'geo-location attributes', I don't know these terms.

@box said:

You can get a gaming mouse that has extra programmable keys on it. That would allow you to use quite a few different key combinations with mouse moves all with one hand.

Just one version

Ideal, I've ordered one from Amazon.

The component is part of a vehicle and I made it a 'group'. I constructed in place but realised I forgot to make another piece first. So I moved the 1st component to where it is intended to be but I could not get it there. As I stated I have the use of 1 arm so continually holding another key, (I don't know which), and moving the mouse I can't do. I can use the 'Sticky keys', example; making a duplicate of a component I select the 'move' icon, press the 'Shift key', I now have 'move'+'. I hope I've made my problem clear?

I tried to get a 'grouped' component to go to a certain area but it goes everywhere rather than the place I want it to go. I tried to go along the red, blue, or green track, it's alright for a short distance but then it goes of course. I tried to find how I can keep it steady but can't find anything in SU. I know press certain keys will keep it 'on track' but I can't find the answer. If it means holding certain keys whilst moving the mouse, I've only got one hand. Could someone tell me how?

Thanks everybody, everything you have told me has helped. I started out well and was organised but going deeper with the project I was getting "tunnel vision". I must stick to the rules and be more disciplined in what I'm trying to achieved.

I am working on a project, (SketchUp that is quite involved. as each area was completed I put it in a layer so that it can be removed to see what I'm doing. As I worked a section I forgot to transfer it to a layer but kept going. Because I was working in a vary close area I didn't realise that I made a mistake on an other part of the section. Saved it until the next day only to find my error, I forgot to put it in a layer. I had to redo a lot of work.
When I work with 'Paint Shop Pro Photo' I put different parts in 'layers' so that if I use the 'eraser', work in other layers are not effected by anything I do. So the question is;
While I'm working in 'layer 0' removing, altering etc., items in other layers are protected?

Thanks every one, problem sorted.

I started SketchUp 8, I did what you said but the reply was: "SketchUp was unable to obtain the latest version information"
I think I'll have to work with my version, what ever it is, and hope that it doesn't show any problems later on.

@rafferty94 said:

Sketchup > HELP > check for updates...?

Thanks for your help but I can't even find Sketchup>help> check for updates.
I've pulled up many pages of SU I'm at a loss now

I tried email, compulsory headings (*)i.e.

Name *
email*
subject * (no area for subject)
Message *
Catcha *
I tried all sorts of completing the email but it kept coming back, "All marked with * must be entered."
All I wanted was trying to check if my SU 8 needed to have a newer version as I've had SU 8 for a long time.
If I do how do I get it?

I've returned with my SU8 and I would like to know if I need to upgrade. I'm a single user and only a amateur using SU8 as a hobby. thank you in anticipation.

Thanks for answer.
I've been looking under various heading but could not find any third parties with my problem. Could you tell me where to look?

I've come back to sketchUp after a long gap, (been busy with other things, sorry.)
I'm building fire fighting vehicles and quite involved but I hope they look good when their finished. The final part would be having a gloss finish.
Are they covered in professional sketchup or in a plugin? As I'm only an amateur going professional is out of my pocket.

@gaieus said:

Hi John,

It is normally the Google Accounts page you retrieve any account info:
http://www.google.com/support/accounts/bin/answer.py?answer=48598&hl=en&ctx=ch_Login&p=warehouse&fpUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Faccounts%2FForgotPasswd%3FfpOnly%3D1%26continue%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fsketchup.google.com%252F3dwarehouse%252F%26hl%3Den%26service%3Dwarehouse
Make sure however to check first if you can sign in in the warehouse from your web browser first:
https://www.google.com/accounts/Login?hl=en&continue=http%3A%2F%2Fsketchup.google.com%2F3dwarehouse%2F&service=warehouse

It can be that for some glitchy reason you can only not access the Warehouse from SU.

Thanks Gaieus,
I logged in with my email and password O.K. I then come out again and loaded SU - my prodject. When I wanted to sign in again I used my email address for 'user name' + my password and got in, it worked!!
I don't know what happened.
Sorry for my problem but I was beginning to pull my hair out in frustration.

John

I wanted to put some more components in the warehouse but for some strange reason it didn't recognise my 'user name' or 'password'. I have tried everything but no luck. I wanted to made contact with google but there isn't a way I can do it. I know that this is not the place to go on about google but where else can I report my problem?

John

The sugestions where above me through lack of knowedge. So in desperation I did what I had done before and attached a line and it worked, I don't know why, my computer must have had a "good day" or maybe me.
I have learnt a bit more though that copies of components are less "hungry" than the originals. Thanks for that.

John

Drawing to explain.

I now seem to be having trouble lately moving a component to something like a wall but as I move it, it is "flashing" on and off so I try to keep it visable then left click it to finish. But for some reason it keeps disappearing, it hasn't been trouble in the past but now it always happens. I've tried moving the wall a fraction in case it was that giving me trouble, I've drawn a line on a wall and tried that as a contact point - it worked once. I can't figure it out, can you help please?
(Picture to help)
JohnAutoSave_Untitled.skp

@unknownuser said:

Daw a line, then align your object on it with the rotation tool
or align tool by Didier Bur can help you too

Thanks but I've had the problem berfore. I don't know the technicalities with downloading for SU. If it was just 'download'run' I have no problems but when I download anything for SU it doesn't do what is exspected. Because of my lack of knowledge I follow the instructions but they never work. Because the instruction was something like "to install just drop in in menu: plugins". As usual I can't find 'plugins' file unless you can guide me. Thanks in antisipation.

John

I've just learnt from you how to get your angled roof inline with each edge. But now I am finding it difficult after getting each edge correct, to get the one edge to which it will join with the model back to the exact horizontal/vertical position. I have tried with the compass to get correct but on very close inspection it is still out of alignement.

John