Duplicate and Delete Patterns

Created by Sunny Hart, Modified on Tue, 3 Mar at 9:16 AM by Sunny Hart

STEK EDGE • Canvas

Duplicate, Copy, Paste, and Delete: Fast Pattern Editing on the Canvas

Quickly duplicate patterns, copy/paste patterns, and delete selected items (or all items) to speed up layout work on the canvas.

Purpose: Use Duplicate, Copy/Paste, and Delete to speed up everyday canvas edits and layout iteration.

Tool to: Canvas → Duplicate / Copy / Paste / Delete

Caution: The trash icon typically acts as Delete All (clears the canvas). Use it only when you intend to remove everything.

Why this matters

Problem: Manual reloading and repeated selection slows down layout work and increases mistakes.
What EDGE improves: Standard actions (Duplicate, Copy/Paste, Delete) are available via right-click, toolbar, or shortcuts.
Result: Faster layout iteration, easier symmetry workflows, and cleaner canvas organization.

What this feature does

Duplicate: Creates a copy of the selected pattern(s) immediately.
Copy / Paste: Copies selected items and pastes new instances into the canvas.
Delete: Removes selected patterns.
Delete All: Clears the entire canvas (trash icon).

Videos

Video

Video — Duplicate / Copy / Paste / Delete (plus Inverse Select + Delete All caution)

Covers: Duplicating patterns, copying/pasting via right-click or toolbar, deleting selected patterns, and the Delete All warning.

When to use: Everyday canvas work: layout iteration, testing, symmetry workflows, and cleanup before plotting.

Before you start

You need: One or more patterns in the canvas.
Recommended: Keep a backup state before large deletes.
Terms used (optional): Context menu = right-click menu; Inverse Select = selects everything except current selection.

How to use it

Workflow

Workflow A — Duplicate (fastest copy)

Select pattern(s)
Where: Canvas
Do: Click a pattern or multi-select several patterns.
Expected result: Selection is highlighted.
Duplicate
Where: Toolbar / right-click menu / shortcut
Do: Use Duplicate.
Expected result: A copy appears near the original.

Workflow

Workflow B — Copy / Paste

Select pattern(s)
Where: Canvas
Do: Select one or more items.
Expected result: Items are ready to copy.
Copy
Where: Right-click → Copy / toolbar / shortcut
Do: Copy the selection.
Expected result: Items are stored for paste.
Paste
Where: Right-click → Paste / toolbar / shortcut
Do: Paste once or multiple times.
Expected result: New instances appear in the canvas.

Workflow

Workflow C — Delete selected patterns

Select the patterns to remove
Where: Canvas
Do: Select one or more patterns.
Expected result: Selected items are highlighted.
Delete
Where: Right-click → Delete / toolbar / shortcut
Do: Delete the selection.
Expected result: Only selected patterns are removed.

Workflow

Workflow D — Delete all patterns (Trash icon) — use carefully

Locate the trash can
Where: Top toolbar
Do: Identify the trash icon.
Expected result: You know where Delete All is.
Delete All
Where: Trash icon
Do: Click only if you intend to clear the entire canvas.
Expected result: All patterns are removed.

Workflow

Workflow E — Keep one pattern, delete everything else (Inverse Select)

Select the pattern you want to keep
Where: Canvas
Do: Click the single pattern to keep.
Expected result: Only that pattern is selected.
Inverse Select
Where: Select tool → Inverse Select
Do: Run Inverse Select.
Expected result: Everything else becomes selected.
Delete
Where: Delete action
Do: Delete the selection.
Expected result: Only the original pattern remains.

Tips

Use Duplicate for quick copies and symmetry workflows.
Use Copy/Paste when you need to paste multiple times.
Use Inverse Select for fast cleanup when you want to keep only one part.
Treat the trash icon like a reset button for the canvas.

Common mistakes

Mistake: Clicking trash icon expecting it to delete only selected items → Fix: Use Delete (selected) from right-click or normal delete action.
Mistake: Deleting the wrong items due to multi-selection → Fix: Clear selection first and re-select carefully.
Mistake: Losing track of which duplicated item is final → Fix: Use grouping or Layer Panel checks to stay organized.

Troubleshooting

Issue: Paste does nothing
Cause: Nothing was copied or canvas is not focused
Fix: Copy again, click the canvas, then paste.

Issue: Delete removed the wrong patterns
Cause: More items were selected than expected
Fix: Undo if available, then re-select carefully.

Issue: Canvas cleared accidentally
Cause: Trash icon (Delete All) was used
Fix: Undo if available, or reload patterns and rebuild layout.

Wrap-up

You used Duplicate, Copy/Paste, and Delete to speed up everyday canvas work. These tools help you iterate layouts quickly and clean up patterns before plotting—while the trash icon should be treated as a full canvas reset.