When it comes to patterning components, one
frequent issue that we face is this: How do we change only one instance of the pattern? In this video, we will be discussing 2 scenarios
of patterned components and how we can change only one instance in each of these scenarios. Before we begin, go to preferences, general,
design and uncheck active component visibility if it is checked. This will toggle off the translucency of non-active components. It makes it easier to see all components
regardless of which component is active. In the first scenario, we will be looking
at a pattern that is produced using the top-down design approach. In this case, all components would be created
within the same file. Starting with a fresh file, go to create, new
component. And create the starting or seed component. This will be just a basic cylinder. Let's perform a simple rectangular pattern. For type, select components. Let's try adding a fillet to the third instance. Activate that component and add the fillet. All components change. It does not matter whether you try this on
the seed component or the patterned instances. Both methods will cause changes in all 3 components. It is important to recognise that these are
all the same component. All 3 share the same color code. Looking at their respective labels, the segment
before the semicolon is the component name. They all share the same component name. The number after the semi-colon refers to
the instance. Since all 3 are the same component, changing
one of them will change all of them. Let's remove the fillet. Let's say that I only want to add a fillet
to the third instance. Right click on this particular component and
copy. After that, right click on the top level and
paste new. This produces a component that is independent
of the original. Click to place this new component in the exact
same location. Notice that this new component has been automatically
renamed. This new component overlaps with the third
instance of the previous pattern. Let's hide the previous component. Activate this new component and add the fillet. This fillet does not apply to the previous
instances. If we activate the seed component and change
the diameter, notice that the component created by the paste new option remains unchanged. So changes neither flow downstream or upstream
between the original seed component and the component that is produced by the paste new
option. In this second scenario, we have a component
that has been saved out as a separate file. This can be accessed from the data panel. We have a fresh file open. The plan is to use this existing file as the
seed component in this new file. This is known as the bottom up design approach
or the distributed design approach. Let's drag this into the new file. Click ok to put it in its default position. In this case, you would see a chain link icon. This means that this component already exists
as a file in your database, as opposed to the previous scenario where the component was
actually created within the new file. Let's create a pattern. Editing of components is slightly different
in this scenario. If we hover a component, we would see a pencil
icon appear. Clicking on that would allow us to edit in
place. Let's add a fillet and confirm. As with the previous scenario, all components
change. Let's remove the fillet. To do that we need to perform the edit in
place again. As in the previous example, suppose that we
only want to apply the fillet in this third instance. Right click on the component and copy. When you right click on the top level, notice
that there is no option to paste new. So the paste new option is not available to
us in this case. So here is my recommendation. Make sure that the top level is activated. Create a new component. Edit the component that you need to change. Look for the body in the bodies folder. Right click and copy. End the edit in place. Activate the new empty component. Right click and paste. Confirm to place the body in the same location. Let's hide the previous component. With the new component still active, let's
add a fillet. This does not change the other 2 components. Let's try to change the diameter of the seed
component. Again, perform an edit in place. Locate the sketch and change the diameter. You can see that the copied component changes. So it seems that although changes do not flow
upstream from the copied component to the original component, they do flow downstream. Just a word of caution here. I have observed some unpredictable behaviour
in this workflow. After trying this multiple times, I have noticed
that changes do not always flow downstream. In other words, changing the diameter of the
original component does not always change the diameter of the copied component. Do try this and let me know your experience.
