When building diagrams, you often need to reuse existing elements – either to display the exact same model component in a new location or to use an existing design as a baseline for a brand-new, independent element.

Astah provides three distinct ways to handle this: Copy, Clone, and Clone without Relations. This guide will help you choose the right command for your modeling needs.

Copy Models

Using the standard [Copy] command does not duplicate the underlying data structure; instead, it creates a secondary visual representation (a new “view”) of the exact same model element.

  • How it Works: Because both items point to the same underlying entity, any data modifications (such as renaming, adding attributes, or changing operations) sync instantly both ways.
  • Appearance Styling: Visual properties—such as background colors and model information display level remain completely separate for each instance on your canvas.
  • Best Used For: Showing the same model across multiple diagrams (or in different areas of a large diagram) without fragmenting your project data.

[Delete from Model]: Permanently wipes out the core model element and all of its visual views project-wide. Use with caution!

⚠️ Crucial Deletion Warning:

[Delete from Diagram]: Safely removes only the selected visual view from your current canvas. The underlying model data remains intact.


Clone Model

The [Clone Model] command creates a completely new, independent model element that starts as an exact duplicate of the original.

Best Used For: Creating variations of complex elements where you want to keep the surrounding architectural context and links, but need to modify the internal properties independently.

How it Works: The cloned element is entirely unlinked from the original. Changes made to one do not sync to the other.

Relationship Preservation: The new element automatically inherits all the relationship structures, dependencies, and connecting lines that belonged to the original model.

Clone Model without Relations

Introduced in Astah Version 12, [Clone Model without Relations] creates a clean, independent duplicate without any external baggage.

Best Used For: Rapid prototyping. If a similar element already exists in your project, you can reuse its internal structure instantly as a template without having to clean up or delete unwanted connecting lines from scratch.

How it Works: Just like a standard clone, it generates a completely unlinked, independent model element with no data synchronization.

Relationship Stripping: Unlike a standard clone, this action completely drops all existing relationship information and connecting lines. The new element appears standalone.