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PureCutCNC
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Linked features

Copies of a feature in PureCutCNC are linked: they share one shape, so changing the shape of one copy changes all of them. This keeps repeated details, such as a row of identical holes, identical as the design changes. When one copy needs to be different, make it unique.

Definitions and instances

Section titled “Definitions and instances”
Diagram of one definition linked to three instances named Rect 1, Rect 2, and Rect 3, and below it the same set after Make unique, where Rect 3 has its own definition and Rect 1 and Rect 2 stay linked
The definition holds the shape; each instance holds its own placement and settings.

Each feature is an instance of a definition. The definition is the shared part; the instance is one placed copy of it.

Shared by all linked copies (Shape) Kept by each copy (Instance)
The profile: its points, segments, and curves Position, rotation, and scale
The role (Operation) and a region’s Mask mode Name
Text content, style, and font Z top and Z bottom
An imported model’s mesh and 3D orientation Folder, Visible, and Locked
A text feature’s layout on a circle or path

The properties panel follows the same split. When a feature has linked copies, the Shape section is titled Shape (shared with N instances), and the feature’s row in the tree shows a link badge (Linked — N instances share this definition).

So moving, rotating, or resizing one copy leaves the others where they are, but editing its points in a sketch-editing session, filleting a corner, or changing its role changes every copy.

Copy mode

Section titled “Copy mode”

These actions create linked copies:

  • the Copy tool, including copies made by rotate and mirror with Keep originals;
  • pasting copied or cut features;
  • Feature distribution (grid, radial, and along-a-path copies).

There is no setting in the app to make these copies independent instead, and no “duplicate independent” command. Projects store a copy mode, which is set to linked copies in new projects, and the app gives no way to change it. See app issue #801.

Make one instance independent

Section titled “Make one instance independent”

  1. Select the copy that needs its own shape.

  2. Choose Make unique, either in the context menu or in the Shape section of its properties.

  3. Edit it. The other copies keep the original shape.

To find every copy that shares a shape, right-click one and choose Select linked instances.

An imported model’s orientation is part of its shared shape: rotating one copy with 3D orientation rotates all of them. Make the copy unique first to orient it on its own.

Section titled “Related pages”