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.

⚠️ Crucial Deletion Distinction:

  • [Delete from Diagram]: Safely removes only the selected visual view from your current canvas. The underlying model data remains intact.
  • [Delete from Model]: Permanently wipes out the core model element and all of its visual views project-wide. Use with caution!

Clone Model

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

  • 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.
  • 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.

Clone Model without Relations

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

  • 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.
  • 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.