Other than that, groups work in almost exactly the same way as the rotate tool. Except that you will be selecting all the node, curves AND lines (while holding the Ctrl key) that you would like to put in your group.
Or you can drag a box around everything while holding the Ctrl key.
Press Enter and a box will pop up where you can name the group if you wish.
It doesn’t really change the pattern like the rotate tool does, but it will store the same or different nodes, etc. in a group so that you can see or not see them.
This is very handy for keeping your work space tidy so you can concentrate on what you are doing, and also, as @Scholli did, keep different versions of the same thing together.
FYI when you have created your detail for printing, the different parts are also listed at the bottom right, like the groups, and you can also close or open the eyes to choose which parted you’d like to print 
It’s all very clever 
Let me know if you need a more detailed description of how to use the the Group tool.