I have a large component/ materials/ styles library which I have changed my file preferences to access through one drive so that I can access the library and keep the library updated through my desktop and laptop. I have adjusted organised and tidied up the components from within the component library. The problem is that when I try to open the collection/s the incorrect components show in the components pane within Sketchup.??? The components showing in the components section don’t seemto link to anything.
Storing files like this in the cloud is never a good idea.
I would store them locally on my desktop and my laptop and synchronise the folders automatically once a day to the same OneDrive folder - or you can sync them manually as required. There’s a great free official Microsoft app you can use for this called SyncFolder which is just the job.
Thanks for getting back to me. I did use to have my libraries in my C drive as you mention and have now returned the component library there. Unfortunately this has not solved my problem. I also use SyncFolder and can see the process you recommend will work.
I have attached a screenshot of my component library as I have tiied it up here.
FWIW, I use the default location for my components (as well as materials and styles). When I update to a new version of SketchUp I copy the folders from the previous version and paste them into the the corresponding location in the new version along with my templates. Takes a few seconds to do and I’ve never had any problem with SketchUp being unable to find those files. It also leaves me with a backup copy of those files.
Keeping a copy of your assets in the cloud is OK but as Kevin indicated, it’s not a good idea to use the cloud as your only location. Also don’t work on SketchUp or LayOut files saved directly to cloud. That’s an excellent way to end up with corrupted files and more work to do.
I have worked with a file called projects in my C drive which I have always copied and pasted all copmponents, materials etc with each new version of Sketchup as you mention with no problems. But I thought I would tidy up my components as the screenshot shows from within the component folder. So opened each component adjusted the drawing to improve it and then saved. Also renaming the folder to make more sense. None of these renamed folders show in the Sketchup dialogue which I thought they would.
I also never work with any drawings in One drive but I do save copies there. My idea was to be able to update any components or add to a material, model or style to my libraries from my desktop at work and from my laptop at home and have everything then available from both.
Did you add those collections to Favorites in the Components panel?
Open the Details menu and choose Open or create a collection … Select the appropriate folder and open it. Then in the Details menu, click on Add collection to favorites.
It’s definitely a good idea to create subfolders to categorize your components so they are easier to find. I do the same with my materials. For example I have collections by species for the wood grain materials I make.
Still doesn’t come out in the same format as I see in the component library. Although most items are there they are not named the same which has confused me a bit for example I have a brace which when the properties are examined is in my folder as Brace E900x900 but in Sketchup is Group#42?
I share a couple of timber component libraries with different clients. We have a single SketchUp file with a ‘timber yard’ setup - 2 different species and 2 different sizing systems for each. It stays in a shared DropBox folder. When I need something not in my templates I open the file and copy paste into my current model.
For me, trying to pull from the components browser was futile. All timber looks the same…
I have considered using this plugin to better manage my library of parts (also windows, doors, etc) - but at the moment I don’t have time to develop a new system so I just keep working with what I have.
I think that is probably the way I will proceed too. Just a single model file with all components (ie Post collection, brace collection etc) in it which I can import as a model and select from. As you say time to organise systems around working is often at a premium.
Still no success in using the ‘in house’ component library.But have founf this excellent extension which does exactly what I want and shows me exactly the components as they are in my library.
