Formelements within a part should share their geometry

[cjones]

Within a part with repeated geometry it is possible to define one instance as a formelement and then to propagate this formelement.

However, when the part is stored it occupies more disk space than the part with repeated geometry.

An alternative is to define the geometry that is to be propagated as a separate part and then to propagate this part.

This technique for reducing the disk space required for repeated parts should also apply to formelements within a part.

[bhug]

Maybe you have to try the free pattern capability. You have to create face-set features upfront. It has no influence on disc space, but if you change the geometry of one of the faces-set features all other can be updated as well.

[cjones]

The same effect occurs with all pattern types, not just with free patterns.

Yes, it is possible to ensure that a change to one face-set feature is copied to all the other face-set features in the pattern. But it is copied. If it were the same geometry then a change to one of the face-set features would immediately change the geometry in all the other face-set features in the pattern.

This is the object of this suggestion: that the face-set features in a pattern only have their geometry defined ONCE. All the other face-set features in the pattern "know" only where they are positioned, but not what geometry they have. This should also reduce disk space.