Hi Jon, I'm not sure it will help but try to check "Correct reverse picking driver bug" under Windows (Sketchup on Mac) > Preferences > OpenGL settings.

remus is right. I just checked it to be entirely sure. you can even draw several lines in a row (complex poly lines to close a face). as long as you keep holding down the shift key (starting when your cursor hovers over the face) it will continuously refer to this plane as drawing plane...

Thanks for that. It definately not a group or component problem. Further work seems to suggest that I can only select the item at the back of the view I am working in (which is not at all helpful). Jon