Groups and components
Loose SketchUp geometry sticks to everything it touches. Groups and components are how you keep parts separate, reusable and easy to edit — the most important habit in SketchUp.
In this lesson you will
- Explain sticky geometry
- Create groups and components
- Edit components so all copies update
- Structure a model with nesting
Sticky geometry
Edges and faces that touch are connected: move a wall and the floor edge stretches with it. That's useful while sketching and a nightmare later. The fix is to wrap each logical part in a group or component.
Groups
Select geometry (triple-click selects everything connected) › right-click › Make Group (G). A group is a container: its geometry doesn't stick to anything outside. Double-click to edit inside; click outside or press Esc to close. Groups are unique — copying a group makes an independent copy.
Components
Make Component creates a named definition. Every copy is an instance: edit one and they all change — perfect for windows, doors, chairs, columns and repeated modules. Components can also glue to faces and cut openings (like window components that cut walls).
Right-click › Make Unique when one copy needs to differ.
Which to use
| Use a group for | Use a component for |
|---|---|
| One-off parts: a site, a unique wall | Anything repeated: windows, furniture |
| Quick isolation of geometry | Parts you want to update everywhere |
| Nesting other groups | Content you'll reuse in other models |
Nesting and the Outliner
Groups and components can contain others: House › Ground floor › Walls, Windows… The Outliner panel shows this hierarchy and lets you rename, hide and select parts. A well-structured Outliner is the sign of a professional model.
Quick reference
| Command / tool | How to start it | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Make Group | G (or right-click) | Isolates geometry |
| Make Component | Right-click | Reusable definition |
| Make Unique | Right-click component | Breaks link for one copy |
| Outliner | Default Tray | Model hierarchy |
Common mistakes
Editing one chair changed all chairs.
They're component instances — Make Unique first if only one should change.
Geometry accidentally drawn outside the group.
Double-click into the group before drawing; cut/paste in place into the group if needed.
Exercise
Structure your room
- Group the floor and walls separately.
- Model a window, make it a component that cuts openings, and place three copies.
- Edit one window and watch the others update.
- Make one unique and change it.
- Organise everything in the Outliner.
You should end up with: A clean, structured model.
Checklist
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Lesson quiz
Which keeps geometry from sticking to other geometry?
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