Problems loading components folder from Paul Lee's Book

SketchUp Pro
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As part of my periodic efforts to improve at SketchUp, I’m going through Paul Lee’s “Construction Documents Using SketchUp Pro”, the 2020 version. It all goes well until I have to load the provided SketchUp Expert Collection using the Components Dialogue.

I follow the directions: Use the Open or Create a Collection menu selection, Navigate to the Folder, where I’m supposed to see the collection as a folder. It doesn’t show up; just a _MACOSX folder is there.

Selecting “Open Folder” creates a _MACOSX object in the Components window, and a one-line sketchup collection line. I can’t open it. Moving the mouse over the main window changes to the MOVE tool, and I can click and see all of the contents of the collection as a group, but they are not listed as components.

I’ve never had this problem with anything from the 3d Warehouse, etc. Any suggestions? I have tried contacting Mr. Lee via his website, but the email gets rejected with a “Website Problem Try Later” message.

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The _MACOSX folder is created when zipping a file on macOS to hold resources that are normally hidden. The folder is meaningless on Windows and can be deleted. Its presence suggests that Mr Lee created the archive you are trying to install on a Mac, but does not explain why you are not seeing any skp files. How are you unzipping the archive? Do you have a zip utility that will let you browse the archive contents without unzipping them? If so, look at what path the contents have - it may be unzipping to somewhere other than where you expected.

Edit: ping @Le_Corb

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I wonder if the files have been named in the Mac without using the .skp extension. SketchUp for Windows doesn’t recognize model files without the extension.

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That would also prevent SketchUp from recognizing them on Mac.

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Demonstrates how dated my Mac knowledge is. When I had Macs, MacOS didn’t use file extensions, the files had a hidden attribute that indicated the application they belonged to. Changing that required ResEdit that was a developer tool.

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Don’t open the “Folder”. Let’s say the folder is in your Documents folder. Navigate to where you see the “Folder” and select it. Then click on Select Folder.

Screenshot - 3_23_2026 , 2_37_18 PM
Screenshot - 3_23_2026 , 2_37_18 PM363×172 2.35 KB

The Components panel will show whatever components are in the folder.

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Sorry Only saw this now!

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@boyvalue First of all- Thanks for purchasing my book! Much appreciated. Apologies for your issues opening the files.

Next- Thanks for letting me know there’s a problem with the email form which I will be immediately investigating.

Book files are below. Please let me know if you have any problems, questions or comments.

Good luck with the course. Paul Lee (Le Corb)

Construction+Documents+Using+SU+Pro+2020_House+Plan+1.11.skp (2.8 MB)

_Windows,+External+Doors+&+Flat+Roof_2.0.skp (1.1 MB)

Details_1.5_2017+Construction+Documents+SketchUp+Pro+2020_(For+All+Users).skp (4.1 MB)

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Also thanks to everyone for jumping in to help. @DaveR @Anssi @slbaumgartner

:nerd_face:

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Thanks to everyone for your replies: @DaveR, @Anssi, @slbaumgartner, @Le_Corb

Unfortunately, all those excellent suggestions didn’t help. I think it must be something messed up with SketchUp or my installation. I have to acknowledge the super help I’ve gotten from Paul Lee in DMs and I would also highly recommend his book.

But so far, even his help has not improved my situation.

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Thanks for the recommendation Pamella!. I’m happy to help today or whenever suits on video call. :+1:

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Monday works well for me, Paul - thank you!

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