When you Shift+Clone a surface or curve sub-object, the Clone Options dialog opens, giving you the option to make the clone a relational copy, an independent copy, or a transform object.
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Modify panel > Select a NURBS surface or curve sub-object. > Shift+Clone. > Clone Options dialog
Interface
- Relational Copy The cloned object is the same type as the original. If the original object was a dependent object, the clone includes copies of the parents. For example, when you clone a Blend surface, the clone remains a Blend surface and its two parent surfaces are copied along with it.
Because all related sub-objects are copied, Relational Copy can be time-consuming.
- Independent Copy The cloned object is an independent CV curve or CV surface. It has the same shape as the original, but its relational dependencies aren't copied. This method of cloning uses less time and memory, although you lose the relational properties. For example, when you clone a Blend surface, the clone is an independent CV surface.
- Copy as Transform Object(s) The "clone" is actually a transform curve or transform surface, based on the original object and still dependent on it. This lets you create transform curves and surfaces based on a rotation and scale as well as on translation.
- Include Relational Parent(s)
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(Available only for Independent Copy or Copy As Transform Object(s).) Tells the system whether or not to include the parents of the dependent object. For example, if Include Parent(s) is on when you clone a blend surface, the two parent surfaces are also cloned as independent CV surfaces. If Include Relational Parent(s) is off, only the one curve or surface is cloned. Cloning is slower when Include Relational Parent(s) is on, although quicker than Relational Copy.