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

to be clear the rules I have always used but the neat PDF I got from http://www.srww.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Six%20Rules%20for%20Modeling%20in%20SketchUp.pdf

Thanks every one, problem sorted.

You don't have to upgrade if what you've got is working for you. I would make sure it's the latest version of SU8, though.

What's your "problem"? There are any number of rendering application out there that will create the appearance of shiny surfaces. Kerkythea is a popular free application, There's a number of renderers that work within SketchUp as well as those that are stand alone. Pay attention to the adverts on the Sketchucation site. You'll find some of them advertised here.

It may not have been an issue on yourside; there seem to be some glitches in the Warehouse lately.

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.

Seems the documentation is inside the file @unknownuser said: Align selection in 3D, starting from a clicked XYZ axis system to a target XYZ plane (Autocad-like). PDF doc included. [image: in5e_align.jpg]

@unknownuser said: Hi, The sidewards 'S' or ~ is telling you that you're actual measurment is less than what you read in the VCB. For example, let's say your model units is set to millimeters with a precision of 0.1mm. Therefore SU will only allow to draw in increments on 0.1mm. Now you draw a line 11.6mm in lenght the scale that line by a value that would result in it been 11.56mm in lenght. Now because your precision is at 0.1mm it will read it at ~11.6mm but not 11.5mm If you change your precision in 'Model Info' it will find the lines exact lenght. I think i'm right but i'm not 100% Hi Rich "I look but I didn't see" should be my motto, how embarrassing. Instead of my question 'sideways S' all I had to do was press '~ #' key! Thanks for explaining that, I know now I won't be making terrible mistakes. I've learnt the hard way before. John

Thanks everyone for your replies, they were helpful. I checked this with 'components' box and used a couple of items everything worked as I tested them out. What happened I don't know but its O K now. The second item was a simple mistake. The way I asked the question was wrong, (right click), I didn't use it like I said, sorry for that. But I did have a problem with [num],'x' and [num], '/' they didn't work. but with your help I went backand checked again very carefully and found my mistake. I put the 1st component down them 'movement +', click, copy was printed. With the num + or / I moved the 2nd to a position and clicked ONCE but did not remove the cursor from the second component but just entered the number and + or / then return and it worked. One click too many was my mistake. therefore any questions you answer or tutorials looked at it pays to look at the answer again but with scrutiny, its easy to miss small points. Thank you. John John

I sat last night and thought about what I had done then suddenly it came to me. The floor was originated when I grouped then and put them in 'Layer 30'. I had to make a few adjustments and as usual made then on layer 0. I must get used to 'layer 0' to work on THEN REMEMBERING to transfer, in this case, 'layer 30' - I didn't do that. That was the problem so I've got it sorted now. Thanks for your assistance xrok1 John

Hi Tig I appreciate your explanation. It is when I measured the house I was compfortable with imperial as that is what I grew up with. But England and my job went metric and I got along fine with it. As I retired 6 years ago and found SU thats when I decided I would model my house. "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" is half right. In work I used metric quite easily and had no problems. But the regular door, window, etc.,sizes I could "see" in my head if they where wrong especially when They where out slightly. But if it was metric its not so obvious so I have to measure it exactly, and keep doing this, (which I would get to know like imperial), i'd have no problem. But the trouble is I am new to SU so I make a load of mistakes which takes time to correct. Thats why, at the moment, I'll stick to imperial. I glad it doesn't matter what it is as long as it comes out OK. But I will go back to metric - honest. Thanks for your reply John

Can you 'save as' the components in question with all layers on and hidden geometry revealed, so as to understand exactly what they consist of and experiment a little more easily with them. Explode them... Don't redraw.....yet. The components don't look too large to post, I don't think, but I have little experience with that.

Your right it did take a while, it was very good to see what was done. I was glad that I did it the same way. Go and do the walls as well or just do 1st floor first. I don't think it will be a problem, is there? Like I said I'm off line now. I'm tempted to carry on but my eyes are tired and thats when mistakes happen. p.s. You can only do a moving screen shot like the one showing me the answer to the solution? Many thanks John

to: xrok1, honoluludesktop, Gaieus, Thanks very much with ideas from you all, it was realy useful. I spent about a couple of hours looking at more tutorials, information, etc., being careful to 'walk not run' as it is easy to get carried away. If I do make another mess I'll finish the topic with 2nd part of the saying........"try, try again" although I'll try to avoid it. I had difficulty in 'youtube' finding anything to do with house building but I'll keep searching. John

Hi, Englanddesktop here. Thanks for your pep talk, I'm not the only person in the world with a SU problem. I had unfounded reason for doubting my ability. When this problem is solved by others or myself, there will be others. I will more than likely have other problems and mistakes but I have learnt a lot, maybe the hard way. It's nice to get help when you or I get an "unsolvable" problem. Thanks very much for your input. John

Martin Rinehart, Yes I am a newbie, It's a good pictorial you have shown me. It demonstrates what you can do 'thinking outside the box' to use the same tools for a completely different use. I have trouble with 'tunnel thinking' so people like yourself help me by steping back and come in a different angle. I just hope I can pull the "tunnel" down so making learning easier. Thanks very much. John