Converting duplicated groups to one same component

SketchUp Pro
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1

Hi everyone,

I’m currently working in SketchUp on a 3D model and I’ve run into a workflow question.

I modeled a table consisting of:

  • four table legs, each leg grouped individually

  • one tabletop, also grouped

  • the whole table (legs + tabletop) grouped again as a parent group

I then duplicated this table multiple times in the model. SketchUp correctly recognizes the duplicates:

  • when I select the whole table, it says 13 in model

  • when I select the tabletop, it also says 13 in model

  • when I select a single leg, it says 52 in model

So SketchUp clearly understands that these are identical copies.
However, everything is made as groups, not components.

Now I want to assign materials later on, and for that it would obviously have been better to create the table (or at least the tabletop and legs) as components, so changes and materials propagate automatically.

My question is:
Is there a way to convert these duplicated groups into components after the fact, so that materials and edits are shared across all instances?
Or do I need to reset the table as a component from scratch and duplicate it again?

Any tips or best practices for handling this kind of situation would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

2

SketchUp will recognize them as copies of the same group until you open one for editing. It will then make that group unique.

There are extensions that can convert groups to components. Search the Extension Warehouse for “groups to components”.

Well, the best practice would have been to make components instead of groups in the first place. Forward thinking tends to reduce the chances of errors and the need for extra work.

FWIW, after you’ve made the components, open one for editing and apply the texture to the faces.

3

I know :wink: I usually do that. But I forgot this time and thought I’d ask if there is a way. To learn something new :slight_smile:

Great! I’ll try that.

4

Selection toys among other features can convert groups copies to components as well. I find it convenient cause it’s on the contextual menu.

5

Always make Components. Unless you have a really compelling reason to make it a group… I use groups maybe 2% of the time when modeling objects.

Selection Toys Plugin will allow you to select all identical groups and convert them to components.