Master object (asset) with dependant clones?

[Kerstin_DE]

Hi,

how can I copy objects, but keep them dependant of the "master". So when I modify the master object, then the clones will change, too?

BR,
Kerstin

[GarryP]

Welcome to the forums @Kerstin_DE

That functionality, if I have understood your requirements correctly, can be found with Symbols which are available in Designer.

[Kerstin_DE]

Thanks Gary! However, as far as I can see, Symbols only link properties, like effects, colors,... Is there a way to also keep the geometry linked? For example, if dimensions are changed, these will change in all the dependant Symbols (or whatever that might be called) as well.

[GarryP]

Individual Symbol instances can be resized as you wish but, as far as I know, there isn’t a way to force every instance of a Symbol to synchronise its size with the others. There may be a way I don't know about, so maybe someone else can advise better on this.

I was going to recommend using differently-sized Assets, which are created from Symbols, but that doesn’t seem to be working every time for me; this needs more experimentation.

[carl123]

On 5/31/2022 at 12:31 PM, Kerstin_DE said:

Hi,

how can I copy objects, but keep them dependant of the "master". So when I modify the master object, then the clones will change, too?

BR,
Kerstin

Linked or embedded documents may do what you want

If I knew exactly what that is

[Kerstin_DE]

I actually found out how it works

The symbol is created in Affinity Designer. It becomes a layer called "symbol" and includes the elements (see attached screenshot). The red lines indicate that it is a dependant layer, i.e. a symbol. When the document is opened in Affinity Photo, the panel "links" can be activated in the studio (view -> studio -> links; I have not found it in Designer). There, for each element of a symbol, all its properties can be linked or unlinked seperately (see other screenshot).

Quite awesome

@carl123 linked/embedded documents might be something different 🤔

[R C-R]

On 6/1/2022 at 4:58 AM, Kerstin_DE said:

However, as far as I can see, Symbols only link properties, like effects, colors,... Is there a way to also keep the geometry linked? For example, if dimensions are changed, these will change in all the dependant Symbols (or whatever that might be called) as well.

To do this, try selecting everything in one instance of the symbol (all its child layers, so to speak) & then try changing the size, rotation, or shear geometric properties of that selection.

So for example, in this Simple Symbols.afdesign file, try selecting both the green polygon & red rectangle layers in either one of its Symbol layers & changing one or more of those properties.

[GuyMiklos]

I tried your example file R-C-R, thanks. - Two instances of a symbol that groups a green pentagon and a red square.

A) Selecting in the layers panel one of the two containing symbol layers and resizing, resizes only the selected compound symbol.

B) Selecting in the layers panel one of the two contained shapes and resizing, resizes that shape only but in both symbol instances.

 

Modifying one symbol instance by making a group of the two shapes inside the symbol has the following effect.

The other symbol instance also becomes a group of the two shapes inside the symbol.

A) and B) as above

C) Selecting in the layers panel the contained group of two shapes, contained in a symbol, resizes both shapes in both instances of the symbol.  

 

I'm impressed with the amount of control the layers panel provides over symbols.