I would like to clean up a model where I have assigned different components of a house to different layers on an older version of SU. I am now using the most recent version with tags (formerly layers).
I have searched through the forum for past posts regarding tags and have read this article on grouping geometry (https://help.sketchup.com/en/sketchup/grouping-geometry), but would like any other suggestions or cautions about cleaning up my model.
I plan on re-assigning all geometry to the ‘untagged tag’ (former Layer 0) and then group geometry and components together. I just want to be clear on how to then assign them to specific tags, ie roof, walls, windows, etc. so that I can hide them and edit them as needed. I imagine this is straightforward to seasoned users.
PS. Also I saw in some previous posts mentions about plug-ins and extensions that assist in navigating tags. If there are any suggested ones, please let me know.
How you breakdown your Tags depends on your workflow.
There are some resources out there you could review to see what is the best fit.
Personally I find some of these standards overkill for my workflow.
I tend to keep it simple like
ARCH (Tag Folder)
ARCH Walls
ARCH Windows-Doors
ARCH Roof …
ELEC (Tag Folder)
ELEC Fixtures …
STRC (Tag Folder)
STRC Flr Fram’g
STRC Wall Fram’g
STRC Foundation …
SITE (Tag Folder)
SITE Terrain
SITE Plants
SITE Hardscape …
… and so on, expanded as needed
I find the key is to only create Tags that are needed for entities that need to be visible or not on particular drawings, or are a significant enough category that it would help in the modeling process for them to have their own Tag. Otherwise, try to minimize how many Tags you have to keep your sanity.
The Tag Folder is a nice option to help organize, but note that when you pull the Tag list under Entity Info, it displays it in alphabetical order. It does not show the Tags grouped together under a particular Tag Folder. That is one reason why you need to give the category prefix to each Tag.
First off, are you still using 17 make as your Profile states? Answers and advice for you are dependent on your version and hardware info. In 17 make there should be no Tags so I suspect you are using something different? Please complete you profile correctly then we can give you the best advice for using Tags on your particular setup. There are several quick and easy tricks to reassigning and managing Tags but we need this info first.
I just updated my profile, sorry forgot to do that as it’s been awhile since I first joined. I am now using Pro and have a more recent laptop. I have files in 17, but will migrate them to 24 and use this version moving forward. Thanks!
Cool, that helps us help you. So if you want to clear all previous layer names you can, but if any of them are useful they will simply open as tags now and you can keep them. If you do want to delet some or all to start over the easiest way is through the Tags window, select all tags to delete (shift select to select multiple) then right click and choose delete. If there is geometry with that tag assigned you will be asked if you want to delete the geometry or reassign a new tag, choose untagged.
To be clear, you mean you plan to assign the same tag to multiple objects so their visibility can be controlled together. “Groups” and “Components” are specific things, the methods for isolating geometry and all geometry should be contained in either one of those. “Raw” geometry, that is geometry not made into a group or component should not be tagged, it should be left as untagged at all times. Tags do not isolate geometry, raw geometry with two different tags is free to interact and “stick” to each other regardless of if it’s visible or not. So… geometry in inside groups and components… tags applied to the outside of the group or component.
There are several quick ways to assign a tag. With an object selected, you can set it’s tag assignment in the entity info window, note that the tag must already exist. You can make new tags in the tags window and then use the tag tool to quickly assign a tag to many items (select a tag and use the tool, first one to the right of the filter input at the top of the tags window).
There are extensions that can help Tag management but really understanding the native tools and methods is the first step. Relatively new to SketchUp are tag folders which allow for hierarchy structure and really help keep things organized, make new folders in the upper left of the tags window.
Start playing with your old files and come back with specific questions as you go.
Thank you for the reply, things are becoming clearer. In the past I used layers, thinking I was isolating geometry (to some extent) but often had issues merging geometry into items on a hidden layer. I will play with it for awhile and as you suggest, develop specific questions, but here are two immediate questions:
How the heck do I move the pencil icon in the tags dialog box. I seem to move it randomly but not sure what the proper action is to move it. I realize that I now just have to leave it in the untagged box moving forward.
What is the proper procedure to assign grouped geometry to a tag? Just want to make sure I am doing it expediently.
Yes, this is a common trap folks fall into, thinking that Tags/Layers isolate geometry (as they do in ACAD). Everything must be a group or component first, regardless of tags or your model will be a mess. Then you can set about organizing things with tags.
Sounds like you may have some raw geometry assigned to different tags in older files, in that case I would focus on selecting and isolating geometry first. Get your geometry encased in groups or components by assembly, then start assigning tags. The steps I outlined in my previous post are the best ways to assign tags, by entity info, or by the tag tool.
draw something, make it a group or component, assign a tag.
TO get the best specific advice for your situation, upload a file that you are working with so we can take a look.
Hi Riley,
I have attempted to clean up the file I am working on. I have attached a truncated version of the file, where I have deleted many tags and components to focus in on a few problems.
I have attempted to reassign geometry to ‘Untagged’, then made groups and assigned those groups to specific tags. I am having issues repairing the shell of the house (tag: Walls - house). I have deleted interior faces that had residual geometry from Walls - Partitions, but I still can’t apply new geometry to those faces, ie.: pulling a rectangle across the whole plane. And when I do manage to get a new face, the existing window openings are not recognized, ie: they are not delineated, therefore I cannot delete the face and create the window opening. I was hoping to salvage some of the work and not start everything from scratch, but if that is not advisable, so be it.
Also is it possible to raise all the geometry 6". When I tried to do that I distorted some of the geometry. I originally used the interior floor height as the datum, where I should have used the garage level as it is the same as the exterior where most of the project is.
I have also attached some screenshots of the hidden geometry that appears and some showing where the project is heading (new roof deck, patio, pool, etc.) Mainly an exterior project, interior stays more or less the same…for now.
When I attempt to make a group out of an assembly of geometry, let’s say all the interior walls, sometimes there are edges still visible even after I’ve hidden that tag. I’ve tried to ‘select all’ as well, but this still happens.
Can I export components from one file to another. I was hoping to transfer some time consuming complex (for me) geometry to the new file.
And as far as repairing geometry that was previously assigned to named tags, my process is to highlight all, select untagged in Entity Info. Then I make a group and then assign the group to a tag.
I’m out and about today, so on my phone and cannot look at your file. From your description it sounds like you have edges and some surfaces still with tags. Open a group or component for editing and select a single edge, then check entity info. Any piece of raw geometry should list as untagged, regardless of the tag assigned to the group that contains it.
This is such a common mistake and serious enough to ruin a model that there are several extensions that can process the entire model at once removing any tags applied to raw geometry. I would recommend Cleanup3 as it has lots of very useful functions search for that extension and install it. The you can chose geometry to layer 0 and fix your whole model in one go.
You can copy paste anything (geometry, groups, components) directly from one file to another.
On the Mac, it’s easy to have multiple files open, so to debug a part, I often cut it from the model, Paste in Place in a new blank file with no tags, and see what got dragged in with it. You can simply delete any Tag and answer the dialog with “Assign another tag” to Untagged. After cleaning it there you can copy and paste in place back in the original model.
No rush, enjoy your weekend. I did check the residual geometry and it’s all untagged, but still does not get included in the new group for some reason. When I brought it over to a new file (as RTCool suggested) I could clean it up. In the case of the interior walls I think it was part of the doors.
Whew, that was a busy few days, @Lansdowne I am just coming back around to check in on this thread. Having looked over the file you sent I would be interested to see your entire original file. PM me if you like. I believe it would be possible to batch process the whole file using a few extensions to sort out the tagging issues quickly. I sometimes have to employ a similar process with imported .dwg files which translate ACAD layers as tags on raw geometry.
In any case, how are you getting along with the process of cleaning and updating your previous file?
Hi @endlessfix, hope your weekend was good, thanks for getting back to me. I have built a new model and have brought over components from the last and cleaned them up, boy what a difference it makes with geometry locked in groups and components and then tagged. I will send you the file so you can see, still have a few questions. Thanks.
