Thanks so much, Dave! Just two more questions, if I may:

"you can save components in a number of ways. I like dragging them from the In Model pane to the desired folder showing in the secondary pane."

How do I make a folder in the secondary pane? Right-clicking inside it doesn't seem to work, or should it work? Am I supposed to make the folder in the program files?

<< in the end, whether you drag components into the folder in the secondary pane or save the components to that folder via Save as... The result is the same. >>

But that's not the same as linking the browser to a local collection, is it? Specifically, I use the Details arrow to open the fly-out menu and choose "open or create a local collection." I make the collection, and then choose "add to favorites." I was wondering what benefit that is vs. saving components in the software.

How do I set permissions? (and is that what you mean by "locked up" components folder?) I never had to do that before.

I used to have a desktop shortcut to the program files components folder and would just drop components into it. That's basically the same thing as putting them in the secondary pane, correct? Is there a benefit to that vs. linking a local collection? Any reason to do one over the other?

Hi Dave, sorry about that, I just added my OS info. I actually use both free and Pro, as well as a Mac sometimes. Trying to learn a bit of it all.

On the PC, the destination library is in the program files. (mycomputer/program files (x86)/sketchup/components. All I see there are the two folders native to the software (dynamic components and components sampler).

Can I make new folders in the component browser's bottom pane or do I need to make folders in the destination library and put the components there? In SketchUp 8 I could drag components from the top pane to the bottom right in the browser. So you're saying you can still do this?

I had a thread about this a few days ago about the Mac. Still not sure how I'm supposed to make new folders and store components in it on that (I don't mean linking local collections to the browser).

In SketchUp 2013, it appears you can no longer drag downloaded components into the bottom pane of the materials browser anymore for storage. Well, at least I can't. Is this really the case? Would appreciate knowing if anyone else has found this to be so or if I'm missing something. Thanks!

So they're only needed to download plugins? Not for accessing the Warehouse through the browser, or to access the Help page or anything else?

I notice, too, that when I access the Warehouse though the components browser, the option to download directly into the model isn't there anymore. Wonder why.

I'd read awhile back that IE and Safari were the only browsers tha worked with SketchUp. Is that still the case? Because when I access the Warehouse though the components browser (using SketchUp 2013), my Firefox browser is what's used. Just curious.

Thanks, Jeff. I do have links to a local collection. Is there any advantage to putting components in the sketchup software itself (e.g., putting it in the program files on the pc or dragging to the lower browser pane) vs. linking to a local collection? or is just linking the best way to go?

Ok, so I can keep loading components into the program files w/ my PC, but not my Mac, correct? If that's the case, I don't need to know where the components file on the Mac is, because it sounds like it won't do me any good, anyhow.

I suppose I will just drag components into the lower browser pane unless anyone has a better idea.

Now if you could just tell me how to delete templates I no longer want, I will be set ...at least for now.

Arrgh, I feel like I'm being teased here, lol. I see the components file in your great screenshot, but I can't get there! (I'm a novice to the Mac ...don't really know my way around it well yet). The only way I can get to the SketchUp 2013 folder is by clicking on that hidden library and navigating to it. But right-clicking on it doesn't give me what you're showing.

If I click on Applications through the Finder, it doesn't take me there, either ...arrgh, what am I doing wrong?

Ok, so putting stuff in that folder is a bad idea anyway, is that what you're saying? In which case I don't need to find it, I guess, lol. But I've been doing it on my PC with no problem -sounds like I should stop doing that?

What's the best way to delete a template you made and no longer want, since it's so hard to find the file on the Mac now?

My ultimate goal here is to figure out if I should still be loading components directly into the programs file folder like I used to do (and was that a bad idea, anyhow?). I do know that I can link a local folder to the components browser, but that's not what I'm after here. Should I just figure on dragging components into the bottom pane of the browser now? IIRC, I didn't do that because I couldn't seem to make new folders for them, just had to put them in other folders. Maybe there was a way to make a new folder and I just didn't look hard enough?

Thanks for the info about putting the folder in the dock -makes more sense than looking for the library all the time!

Hmm, I get "the folder can't be found" when I try that permanent fix ...oh well, if I can just find the templates and components folders I'll be happy.

cross posted again -oh, ok, so there IS no components folder until I download my own components? But where are all the sampler components stored now, that come with the software? I think they're still in the same place, in the programs file on my PC.

Thanks Jeff, I did find the hidden library (any way to make a shortcut to the desktop of it?) and the plugins folder. Where is the components folder, tho? (and the templates folder). I don't see anything in the SketchUp folder besides plugins and "old colors."

cross-posted -just saw your fix for the shortcut (I guess that's what that code does?), thanks.

I will look for it, thanks. Is there a reason it's hidden? Is it unwise to be poking around in it or something?

I used to drop components in the components folder in the library so they'd be right in the sketchup software. is that a bad idea now? should i just drag them into folders in the bottom pane of the components window instead?

So I've got SketchUp 2013 Make installed on my MacBook Pro. From what I've read, the components folder isn't saved in the library anymore. So where is it? And where are the template files? If I want to delete a template that I made, what's the path now to do it?

As an aside, I was reading about plugins and saw the following as the path for them:

Macintosh HD/Users/Library/Application/Support/SketchUp 2013/SketchUp/Plugins

But I can't follow that -I get to Users and my options aren't as the rest of the path reads. So where are plugins stored?

Thanks for any help!

Alan -oh, I understand now about the display abbreviations. Yes, I've seen that.

Krisidious -I wasn't referencing one model in particular, just in general. Re my system specs, just standard off the shelf. What I have noticed is the difference a specialized video card makes in display, screenshots and exports. At work we have GTX 6000 series cards. I mention this because I've seen past posts from people complaining that their exports look jagged, and answers that suggested plugins and other stuff, but not the video card.

I think I have a different SketchUp, the low-rent version or something, lol. Don't know about old, I have 8. I've never gotten a different color cursor or a grayed out model. If the file (geometry, whatever) is too big, it just runs slow and then freezes up.

A ghost of itself? I just get a freeze and the message, "The program is not responding."

Ok, one more question, if you don't mind! In the statistics I can see the number of edges, faces, etc. Is there a range for that in which a model should fall? Like what would be small vs large?

Ok, thanks, Gaieus! I figured someone would have a reason.