Updating a Sketchup Model by changing an underlying sketchup model

Question

I have a SketchUp model which I have created by importing three other model files. I want to update one of the three underlying model files. If I edit the model and physically import again, I have to spend the time to physically positioning the model again. Is there way to change the underlying model and the higher level model gets updated automatically?

Answer 1

You don't need to do this programmatically - you can do it within Sketchup itself.

1. Save a component in file aComponent.skp
2. Import the component into your working file, perhaps workingFile.skp

To UPDATE the component (similar to an XREF in Autocad)

Whenever you make changes to the aComponent.skp file, all you need to do is go into your workingFile.skp and find the component you loaded (I made one called weirdThing here) in the OUTLINER, not the Component window.

1. Right click on the component's name in the OUTLINER.
2. Choose "Reload..."
3. Sketchup asks you for the file to update it with. Choose aComponent.skp -- or any other file with a component definition of the same name inside it!

NOTE: This doesn't work if you right click on the name in the Component List (see image below).