Understand Definitions And Instances

Definitions vs instances

A block has two parts:

You can place the same definition many times as separate instances.

• Definition — the reusable system that defines geometry, inputs, and behavior
• Instance — a placed reference that uses that definition in your drawing

How they work together

• When you edit a definition: All instances update automatically
• When you edit an instance: Only that instance changes (values, position, or state)

What you can do

• Edit a definition to change behavior everywhere
• Place the same definition multiple times
• Give each instance different input values
• Reuse blocks across your design

Try it now

See how one definition drives multiple instances.

1. Select a component on the canvas
2. Open its block definition
3. Change something in the definition
4. Return to the canvas

All instances using that definition update automatically.

Definitions control what a block can do.

Instances control how it is used in a specific place.