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Duplicating a Body (Including Dependencies)

This section completes an important missing step in the duplication process: the Object Selection dialog that appears when you copy a Body.

The goal here is not to analyze every dependency, but to understand what to click and why.

Fastest way to duplicate a Body (safe method)

  1. Select the Body you want to copy
  2. Press Ctrl + C
  3. Review the Object Selection dialog (Figure 1)
  4. Click OK
  5. Press Ctrl + V
  6. Rename the new Body immediately

The Object Selection dialog (what this is)

When you copy a Body, FreeCAD checks whether that Body relies on other objects (sketches, reference geometry, origins).

Instead of guessing, FreeCAD shows you this dialog so it can copy everything required to keep the new Body fully functional.

You do not need to understand every item listed to use this safely.

Object Selection dialog Figure 1 – Object Selection dialog when copying a Body

A — Auto Select Depending Objects

When enabled, FreeCAD automatically selects: - the Body - its sketches - any reference geometry it relies on

This is what you want almost all of the time.

B — Show Dependencies

When enabled, FreeCAD displays why items are selected by showing: - Depending on: objects this Body uses - Depended by: objects that use this Body

This is for visibility only — you do not need to change anything here.

Dependency panels (right side)

The two panels on the right explain relationships: - Depending on lists references required by the Body - Depended by lists objects that rely on the Body

These lists explain why FreeCAD selected certain items automatically. They are informational and safe to ignore for basic duplication.

IMPORTANT NOTE

⚠️ Do NOT click “Use Original Selections”

That option disables automatic dependency handling and is intended for advanced workflows. It will be covered later.

For normal duplication, leave: - Auto Select Depending Objects ON - Show Dependencies ON - Click OK

Final steps

  1. Press Ctrl + V to paste
  2. Rename the new Body:
  3. Right-click → Rename
  4. or press F2

Rename immediately so you don’t accidentally edit the wrong version.

Key takeaway

The Object Selection dialog exists to protect your model.

If you accept the defaults and click OK, you get a clean, fully-independent duplicate of the Body every time.