About 2D Components

What are 2D component references?

A 2D component reference (also called "reference") is a re-usable set of geometry and annotations. It is stored either:

• in a layout detail sheet (in the same representation as its instances)
• in a component catalog (in a drawing representation).

A 2D component reference can be edited like any other item in a view. It serves as a reference when creating 2D component instances.

What are 2D component instances?

Instantiating a 2D component means re-using a 2D component reference, by creating 2D component instances (from a layout detail sheet or from a component catalog) in a layout view, once or several times. Each instance has a specific orientation, position and scale. When you instantiate a 2D component, you create a 2D component instance, also known as an "instance".

Depending on where the 2D component reference is stored, there are different ways of instantiating a 2D component:

• using the Instantiate 2D Component command. 2D components can be instantiated in a layout sheet, provided that they are stored in a detail sheet belonging to the same layout. Refer to Instantiating a 2D Component for more information.
• from the Catalog browser: 2D components can be instantiated from a component catalog in a layout sheet. The component catalog is based on a drawing representation.
• using Cut/Copy/Paste: 2D components instances can be copied/cut from a layout and pasted to any sheet of the same layout. Refer to About Copy, Cut, Paste and Delete for more information.