Using Layers, Symbols, and Styles > Using the Library panel > Creating and modifying instances

 

Creating and modifying instances

An instance is linked to the symbol used to create it. If you modify the symbol, the instance is modified as well.

You can release an instance from its symbol to use the instance as an unlinked object. You can also transform an instance or associate a URL to an instance using the Transform and Navigation panels. For more information, see Attaching URLs to objects and text and Transforming objects.

To create an instance, do one of the following:

Drag a symbol from the Library panel to your document.

Copy and paste or duplicate an existing instance.

To release an instance:

1

Select the instance.

2

Choose Modify > Symbol > Release Instance.

3

If the graphic is grouped, choose Modify > Ungroup to ungroup the graphic.

To update all instances of a symbol:

1

Select an instance in the document and release it.

2

Modify the graphic.

3

Drag the graphic over the symbol in the Library panel.

4

In the alert dialog box that appears, click Replace to replace the existing symbol and all of its instances with the modified graphic.