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Simple Copy

In one sentence: Create a static, non-parametric snapshot of a shape that never updates when the original changes.

Overview

Workbench: Part
Menu: Part → Create a Copy → Simple Copy
Shortcut: none

Creates a fully detached copy of the selected shape. The copy is frozen at the moment of creation — it does not update if the original shape is modified.

Intuition

Simple Copy breaks the parametric link between the copy and its source. Think of it as taking a photograph: the photo records what the object looked like at that instant, but it will never change if the object changes later.

This is useful when you need a stable reference shape for export, or when you want to branch a design by making two independent variants from the same starting point.

When to use it

  • You want to lock in the current state of a shape before further modifications.
  • You need to hand off a shape to an external tool that cannot handle live Part features.
  • You want two independent design variants from the same starting geometry.
  • You need to export a shape that should not be affected by future model changes.

When NOT to use it

  • Don't use it if you need the copy to track the original — use Part Mirror, Part Array, or a PartDesign feature with a reference instead.
  • Don't use it as a workaround for over-complex models — if your model is sluggish, optimise the feature tree rather than freezing shapes.

Step-by-step

  1. Select the shape you want to copy in the 3D view or model tree.
  2. Choose Part → Create a Copy → Simple Copy.
  3. A new Part::Feature object appears in the tree containing a static copy.
  4. Modify the original — the copy remains unchanged.

Parameters

This tool has no task panel. The copy is created immediately on activation.

Common mistakes and pitfalls

Copy does not update

This is intentional behaviour, not a bug. If you modify the original and expect the copy to update, use a different tool (e.g., Draft Clone or a parametric mirror/array).

Face indices may differ from original

The topology of the copy is the same as the original at the moment of copying, but face/edge indices may shift in subsequent model changes if you later reference them.

Python API

import FreeCAD as App
import Part

doc = App.newDocument()

original = doc.addObject("Part::Box", "Original")
original.Length = 20
original.Width = 15
original.Height = 10
doc.recompute()

# Create a static copy
copy_shape = original.Shape.copy()
copy_feat = doc.addObject("Part::Feature", "StaticCopy")
copy_feat.Shape = copy_shape
doc.recompute()

# Modify the original — the copy is unaffected
original.Length = 40
doc.recompute()
print(f"Copy length: {copy_feat.Shape.BoundBox.XLength}")   # still 20.0

See also