Although there is an SU Podium extension that allows component edits outside a model they are currently in, I would like to see this as a standard SketchUp feature (I already have many extensions installed). Just right-click on a component to edit it in a new window which then automatically updates in the existing model.
Some may be interested in editing multiple components outside the primary model. As far as I know, the computer would operate in a multi-threaded mode, helping to squeeze out a little more performance.
I think this is exactly the reason why āmultithreaded modellingā failed to be implemented smoothly in modelling software: How would the main thread āknowā what has changed outside his cycle? Suppose you have several instances of SketchUp running on different ācoresā each handling different components, can you edit/ manipulate them in the same time of the main threads cycle? If not, the multithread handling of components has no benefitā¦
You know you can already do this natively, āsave asā a component and open it to edit, then āreloadā it in your model.
There have been a few plugins made to automate this, canāt remember them just now. One was by an author who has since died, so it may not be up to date.
I would prefer the quickest possible process, as I initially explained, as a standard SketchUp right-click option, and not have to load further plugins.
In large models, this would save noticeable time.
In testing this process, it should be possible to determine what multithreading is occurring through windows task manager.
Right click on the component and choose āSave asā, save it to a suitable folder. Open it and edit it, close and save. Right click on original component and select āReloadā choose the saved file and the edits are made to the component.
The added benefit of this over some deleted temp folder situation is that you have the components filed away ready to be used again as needed.
Yes, I am fully aware of this process and I do file components in a separate folder. (I have more than 10 years experience with SketchUp).
I am talking about large model process where I have over 500 components and dozens of iterations of many components (very large historic building). Your described process begins to get tedious. Just renaming all the iterations is too time-consuming.
Setting up auto naming of components based on the model iteration would be very helpful.
A simple right click to open a component in a new window would save noticeable time (and be less tiresome) in a large model.
Better yet, SketchUp could also automatically save all iterations of all components created in a particular model to a designated folder (as designating a components folder is already available in preferences for the model in progress).
SketchUp is all about speed and saving seconds is valuable.
You probably already know this, but turning off a geometry-heavy layer speeds up performance. Also, it reduces lag significantly when you hide the rest of the model with the preferences.
Thanks - I do develop the odd bad habit, turning off functionality and then forgetting it is there.
I briefly tested hiding the model and decided I preferred not to do that as I like to see the whole model while focusing on concept design. Having components in separate windows, on a separate monitor would be the best option.
As for hiding layers, I have gone back to putting all geometry on layer 0, after advice from multiple sources. Is that not best practice?
Basic geometry (edges and faces) should be created and left associated with layer0, but groups, components, images, dimensions, and text can safely use other layers.
There are rare cases when geometry can be on other layers. I use it to hide the āseamā where two adjacent groups, e.g. a slab and a wall, meet. However, in those rare cases Enity Info, or Ruby scripting, can be used to assign the layer. This is also a quite advanced technique Iād only recommend to users that are comfortable with how SketchUp layers work already. In any case Iād recommend to always have Layer0 being the active layer.
I do change layers for components or geometry using the entity info sometimes. With a current model, I accidentally ended up with lots of geometry on the terrain layer after I geolocated the model. I ended up deleting the terrain layer, moving everything back to layer 0 and then recreating the terrain layer with just the terrain.