Guide:Symbol Instance

Symbol

"Symbol" is the element that can be reused in your designs. They can help you create designs across projects and manage consistent designs.

You can create a symbol master and define its properties. Then you can create instances of the symbol master. When you update the symbol master, all of its instances will be updated as well.

Modifying symbols

When you modify a symbol, it supports modifying the instance content automatically. It also supports that when you modify the symbol after the instance's properties are adjusted, the instance will no longer be synchronized. If you choose to detach the instance from the symbol, then the instance will not be synchronized when the symbol is modified.

Currently, Mockitt supports 13 types of synchronized adjustment of properties (lock, text style, single filleted corner, transparency, uniform filleted corner, layer effects, text content, name, size, fill, stroke, shadow, blur).

This function can solve the pain point of designers to modify each instance individually to a large extent and improve the efficiency of design modification in the design draft.

Detach instance 

In the editing process, if you need to remove an instance from the synchronous editing effect of the symbol, you can try these 3 methods of detaching the instance：

1. Select the instance and detach the instance in the right property panel.

detach instance of symbol

2. Select the component, right-click and select "Detach instance".

right click to detach instance

3. Use the shortcut keys "ctrl + alt + B" directly to detach.

Delete/Restore symbol

There are currently three ways to delete symbols: within the canvas, in the element list, and the symbol list.

You can use right-click and tap [Delete] or shortcut key [Delete] both ways to delete.

And it support undoes delete, or you can also choose to restore the symbol by the instance.

restore symbol by instance

Locating symbol

You can find the symbol by its instance, and also support locating a symbol and then returning to the instance location. Currently, there are 3 ways to locate a component:

1. Right-click on the left list.

1st way to send to symbol page

2. Right-click on the selected instance.

2nd way to send to symbol page

3. Property panel.

3rd way to send to symbol page

Instance

An instance is an exact copy of a symbol with all the same properties as the original, including any text format, style, or layout constraints.

Instances are essentially linked to the symbol master, and when the symbol is modified, all instances will be automatically changed.

Currently, Mockitt supports 3 major categories of layers (symbol, instance, other symbols, 3 combinations - containing symbol, containing Instance, and containing symbol and its instance) to create instances.

Supports 2 types of ways to quickly create (Symbol assets list - drag and drop, copy Symbol).

1. Drag-and-drop symbol:

Select the symbol, holding down [alt]/⌥ (option), and then drag and drop the symbol to create an instance on the canvas.

2. Copy symbol:

Select the symbol, right-click to copy/paste it into the canvas or use the shortcut keys to copy/paste a new instance.

Mac: ⌘ c and ⌘ v

Windows: ctrl c and ctrl v

Select the symbol, holding down [alt]/⌥ (option), and then drag and drop the symbol to create an instance on the canvas.

Replacing instances

People often need to think over the diversity of designs and often encounter the need to replace some symbols with another state or instance. You can replace the instance to accomplish this need.

There are 2 ways to replace instances:

1. Symbol assets list replacement.

Select a symbol in the left assets list, use the [alt]/option key and click and drag to the instance to replace it.

2. Property panel replacement.

Select the symbol in the canvas, replace it in the property panel on the right side.