How to break a connexion between clone objects

[B-Vs-V]

I did transform an object by adding clones or references, & did copy those shapes. They are tied... how can I break any link between them ?
Thanks.

[Subpath]

@Pat

interesting question that never occurs to me

for clones, I found the following:
select the clone(s) and go to
Menu > Object > Cloned Properties
and deselect "Object shape
and the clone will no longer follow the movement

when you select it again, the link is restored

as a cheat, export your design as PDF
or SVG and import it again may also help

but i am also interested in
what @VectorStyler says

[encart]

In the case of Reference, I used Styles>Expand Symbol. The option is disabled when it comes to Copy. Such a bit of searching in the dark.
There is room for improvement here. It would be nice if there was a disconnect option in the context bar and maybe in the context menu for such objects.

[Ingolf]

It get s a little complex when it comes to references, but generally:

Clones

• Edit -> Detatch Clone or Detatch Source

References:

• Styles -> Expand -> Expand symbol
• See 'Expanding References' section in VS documentation)

One should read it thoroughly to understand what VS does during expand.

I find it hard to jump from menu to menu to look for the right place (Expand symbol) so I customized my right click menu like this, so expand whatever is always available right where I am working, which I recommend if you work with references. Adding a submenu with clone features is easy peasy.

[VectorStyler]

@Pat To detach a clone: select Edit -> Detach Clone.
To detach a source object from all its clones: Edit -> Detach Source.

[B-Vs-V]

@VectorStyler these are grey, can't do it:

@Subpath @encart @Ingolf Thank you. I didn't try yet to export but 'expand symbol' doesn't give any result... even worse, some strokes disappeared :

and impossible to come back, Ctrl+Z became inactive. I had to close and reopen the file:

[Subpath]

@Ingolf , thanks for your the description
good to know

about the clones, I searched everywhere
but didn't get the idea that it's right in
front of my eyes in "Edit"

[Ingolf]

@Subpath said in How to break a connexion between clone objects:

@Ingolf , thanks for your the description
good to know

about the clones, I searched everywhere
but didn't get the idea that it's right in
front of my eyes in "Edit"

I've used clones a lot, so I remembered there was something like that. Apparently I was awake once.

[b77]

@VectorStyler I was looking for a command with 'Release' or 'Detach' in the name — 'Expand' doesn't
come to mind when searching for a way to break an object from its reference.

[VectorStyler]

@b77 said in How to break a connexion between clone objects:

I was looking for a command with 'Release' or 'Detach' in the name — 'Expand' doesn't come to mind when searching for a way to break an object from its reference.

For the clone objects, the Detach Clone / Source should work.

But when working with symbols, a little bit more is going on than just detaching, since the symbol is "expanded" locally. And the "expand" metaphor is used in other apps too.

[Subpath]

I found it a bit confusing that the options for the clones are so distributed
Detach Clones in "Edit", Clone properties in "Object"

And for the clone properties I was wondering
if a panel would be a better choice.
Like for example with the snapping options.
A Panel could then also be put on the canvas
if one need those Options more often.

[VectorStyler]

@Subpath said in How to break a connexion between clone objects:

I found it a bit confusing that the options for the clones are so distributed
Detach Clones in "Edit", Clone properties in "Object"

Yes, I think the clone properties could be moved to the Edit menu (to balance things a bit).

And for the clone properties I was wondering
if a panel would be a better choice.

This could be done, the problem is that these options are rarely changed, and keeping a panel open for just these is a bit too much.

One way around this is to have a button in the context panel, opening a popup menu containing the same options. This button would be visible only when a clone is selected.
Same for selecting the source of the clone.

Like for example with the snapping options.
A Panel could then also be put on the canvas
if one need those Options more often.

[Subpath]

@VectorStyler said in How to break a connexion between clone objects:

the problem is that these options are rarely changed

yes see this Problem too.
but the way it is by now they are a bit
uncomfortable to use
and this could contribute to the fact
that you rarely use them

[b77]

@VectorStyler OK, what I mean specifically is references:

When I create a reference (Edit > Reference) and at one point later I want to release the "dependent"
object from its reference, I had no idea that the dependent object is now considered a symbol in
the VS internal hierarchy/model, so I have no idea that I should look for a command with 'symbol'
in the name.

And again, 'expand' doesn't click in my head with all of the above. To me at least, 'expand' is
tied to expanding shape effects or other Bézier-related stuff.

Sure, my head might be the problem, but I think this is one point where relying on the user to have
high IQ / not be tired / be very patient / having read the manual creates a barrier to easy learning
(and adoption of) the app.

Maybe 'Detach Parent' and 'Detach Children' could work better for both clones and references?
(Sorry if somebody else mentioned this already).

[B-Vs-V]

@VectorStyler I've just sent you a file with this "detach" issue. Whatever I do, I can't modify the middle scheme without affecting the left one.

[VectorStyler]

@Pat Got the file and added this to the backlog.

[VectorStyler]

@Pat Yes, the problems can be replicated with the file.
Looks like there are still issues with blends inside symbols (references).
Will try to fix this ASAP.

[B-Vs-V]

@VectorStyler Thank you