Clones are special objects that create an image of an object without creating the data for that object.

Typically they are used to produce a connection between objects on two different diagrams.

There are several types of clone

SymbolClone

This creates an object with class none that is otherwise identical to another symbol in the model.

SymbolDotChild is like a clone but applies to a child object.

SymbolDotChildDotChild is similar

You can create clones by dragging from the Palette but it is easier to use Paste Special as Symbol Clones which is enabled when symbols have been copied.

You cannot drag links to or from clones and most editing functions on clones are disabled, but you can position the text and the linkpage number and resize them.

Symbol clones can have the page number of their master symbol shown above their tagname inside  brackets.

You can double click this to go the the diagram

The {Clone Page} reference is positioned depending on the Text position. If text is below the symbol it is placed alongside the tagname, otherwise above. This is to avoid the clone reference obstructing the symbol.

Cloned objects change their link types to Jump. This means that a Cloned object cannot create instances.

If you want an identical object that does create instances then you should not being using SymbolClones, as that is not their purpose.

A special symbol, CrossReference Lists the other pages in the model that have clones of objects on the diagram"

Symbol Clones support dynamics.

If you delete an object that is cloned somewhere else in the model there is a warning and you can cancel the deletion.

Right clicking a clone offers

"Make this Clone the master". This changes a clone to the master and makes the original a clone of the new master. Any other clones of the original are updated to be clones of the new master

"Make this Clone a normal symbol".

"Go to clone master" - opens the diagram containing the master

Here is one way of using clones.

Suppose that you want a single Unit Graphic, with all the valves and motors shown on it but where the valves etc actually belong to equipment modules contained in the unit.

Well, you can use clones for that. First draw the Unit Graphic and then clone the symbols into each Equipment module.

Then you can change the symbols in the EM diagram into masters. The result is that you can show the Unit diagram with the EM’s that each valve etc belongs to.