# Grouping sketches and moving to new folders

**URL:** <https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/grouping-sketches-and-moving-to-new-folders/8927>\
**Category:** Modeling Questions\
**Created:** [September 9, 2020, 8:34am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/grouping-sketches-and-moving-to-new-folders/8927 "2020-09-09T08:34:17Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Jayemery](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/jayemery/32/25155_2.png) [@Jayemery](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Jayemery)\
**Post date:** [September 9, 2020, 8:34am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/grouping-sketches-and-moving-to-new-folders/8927/1 "2020-09-09T08:34:18Z")

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Hope someone can help I seem to be running around in circles in the pic you will see that I have 2 sketches. These are 2d on the same plane representing a sheet metal part  
In the part highlighted in blue I want to group the 3 sketches and lock them together in 1 part then move them to a new folder as a part on their own

The problem  
1 I cant see any way to group items together without having to select each component each time  
2 I cant see how to then either copy and paste to a new folder or move to new folder

As can see in the drop down menu I have over 400 sketches in one folder all on one plane.

It would apear that if I select a new plane then a new folder is created  
But how do I force that to happen when I’m working in the same plane

I appreciate there must be a simple way to do this. Or a work flow process I need to follow. Or a way to hide sketches that I’m not working on. But that looks like its only available for different folders. So how do I move to a new folder or a specific part folder

All while working in the same flat plane not 3D at this stage. Cos I need to draw all the sheet metal parts first

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/2X/7/7af7a4d4270e6b30ef5991eac46a273a732c5727.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![Gelphyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/db5fbb/32.png) [@Gelphyn](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Gelphyn)\
**Post date:** [September 9, 2020, 9:56am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/grouping-sketches-and-moving-to-new-folders/8927/2 "2020-09-09T09:56:21Z")

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@Jayemery  
If you want to hide different Sketches they will have to be placed on different Planes.  
Use **Add \> Construction Plane** \> choose the **Offset** option  
Planes can live as little as 0.001mm apart.

See:

[https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-move-a-sketch-into-a-different-folder/5732](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/how-to-move-a-sketch-into-a-different-folder/5732)

If you want to go the Folders route see:

[https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/folders-for-desgins/8858](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/folders-for-desgins/8858)

You will have to separate your Sketches in to separate Designs.  
To do this go to the Design Thumbnails Page and Duplicate a Design having ‘different’ Sketches  
Keep the Original, untouched, then delete unwanted portions of the Sketch in the Copy Design  
This can be repeated with further Copies.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jayemery](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/jayemery/32/25155_2.png) [@Jayemery](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Jayemery)\
**Post date:** [September 9, 2020, 11:24am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/grouping-sketches-and-moving-to-new-folders/8927/3 "2020-09-09T11:24:47Z")

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Thanks for that. Ill give it a bash  
Next is there any way to group sketches together in the hi lighted pic there are three different sketches but sometimes there could be a lot more can you group a number together permanently then add to them and re group etc to build a model that does not change as you develop it ?

For instance the 3 cut outs and their positions will always be the same. Group them together and save.  
Then the outside edge may change from Modles to model group and save  
Appreciate your help  
Jay

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Gelphyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/db5fbb/32.png) [@Gelphyn](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Gelphyn)\
**Post date:** [September 9, 2020, 12:07pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/grouping-sketches-and-moving-to-new-folders/8927/4 "2020-09-09T12:07:11Z")

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@Jayemery  
In the example of three ‘different’ Sketches in reality they are one Sketch.  
Hide the **Sketch Plane** containing the three Sketches and they all hide.

In the following the Design contains the three Sketches:

 ![IMG_2774](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/2X/7/71c4a85e2e846537f3eb09d708ae16adee3f01be.jpeg)

Now the above Sketch is Duplicated and the only Rectangle is retained, then the Circle:

 ![IMG_2777](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/2X/7/78dbd0f019cc5b9e7adc312f9d3837195fec5e40.jpeg) ![IMG_2778](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/2X/e/ef2c392811db7d5c729de73a86bbdad2c3374bf7.jpeg)

and of course then the Triangle:

 ![IMG_2779](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/2X/8/8c7472fc778c83c06009548f97d97b7b7c43f33e.jpeg) ![IMG_2774](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/2X/7/71c4a85e2e846537f3eb09d708ae16adee3f01be.jpeg)

Lastly, above the three Designs are Imported from the Files.app back into the same design.

Each Sketch and the Body it can create may be handled in a similar manner.

I understand where you are coming from, it would make good sense.  
Unfortunately S3D does not have organisation facilities, at present, so use has to be made of the features and facilities available.

Please can you tell us more about:

> [@Jayemery](#):
>
> For instance the 3 cut outs and their positions will always be the same. Group them together and save.  
> Then the outside edge may change from Modles to model group and save

It would be useful to better understand your needs, e.g., do they have to be separated?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jayemery](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/jayemery/32/25155_2.png) [@Jayemery](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Jayemery)\
**Post date:** [September 9, 2020, 1:09pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/grouping-sketches-and-moving-to-new-folders/8927/5 "2020-09-09T13:09:20Z")

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Ok thanks. A bit frustrating as you are aware hopefully this will be developed

Kind regards  
Jay Emery

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>
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Or

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> ![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/2X/9/9320099e9e7deb7e08ba8a270288a1bfe5acf2f9.png "Gelphyn") | [Gelphyn](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/gelphyn)  
> September 9 |
> 
> - | - |

[@Jayemery](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/jayemery)  
In the example of three ‘different’ Sketches in reality they are one Sketch.  
Hide the **Sketch Plane** containing the three Sketches and they all hide.

In the following the Design contains the three Sketches:

Now the above Sketch is Duplicated and the only Rectangle is retained, then the Circle:

and of course then the Triangle:

Lastly, above the three Designs are Imported from the Files.app back into the same design.

Each Sketch and the Body it can create may be handled in a similar manner.

I understand where you are coming from, it would make good sense.  
Unfortunately S3D does not have organisation facilities, at present, so use has to be made of the features and facilities available.

Please can you tell us more about:

> ![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/2X/0/01a18ae7ccfdc026f14ceae6faa5664b8903df7d.png)Jayemery:
> 
> For instance the 3 cut outs and their positions will always be the same. Group them together and save.  
> Then the outside edge may change from Modles to model group and save

It would be useful to better understand your needs, e.g., do they have to be separated?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Gelphyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/db5fbb/32.png) [@Gelphyn](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Gelphyn)\
**Post date:** [September 9, 2020, 3:19pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/grouping-sketches-and-moving-to-new-folders/8927/6 "2020-09-09T15:19:34Z")

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@Jayemery  
In your situation you really do need to get organised and stay organised.

S3D are not alone in not having an organisation feature.  
Control of Files and Filing has, and probably will be, the sole domain of Apple unless you are also a Windows user - Microsoft?  
Adding Dimensioning and Text to S3D are high on the Wishlist of many users expectations, I have been amongst this Group since my first Design.  
Recently I advanced a pet ‘want/wish/need’ to really hop up Annotating S3D, the outcome revealed Software that use the ‘Thumbnails’ as a first/temporary storage solution. To see a brief history of Annotation within S3D visit:

[https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/what-are-your-3d-annotation-use-cases-and-workflows/4560](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/what-are-your-3d-annotation-use-cases-and-workflows/4560)

Read to the end, or scroll down at least, to find a Link to what I believe is the best option so far for Annotation integrated into a workflow.

Going back to another long time favourite Organisation, **Search** S3D [_Top right of every Forum Page_] for **Files.app** , it is certainly saying something [as at 2020-09-09].

NB. I do not have anything to sell and no longer garner income from illustrating or editing, but do believe that S3D is the best cost effective solution for the vast majority of folk who need[_or simply want_] to design in 3D.