Copy (Instance) Map Dialog

Material Editor, Materials, and Maps > Material Editor > Moving Materials, Maps, and Colors About the Scene > Dragging and Dropping Maps and Materials >

Command entry:

Material Editor

Parameters rollout or node display

Drag one map button to another.

The Copy (Instance) Map dialog opens when you copy a map by dragging and dropping a map button. It gives you the choice of copying the map, making the newly assigned map an instance of the one you dragged, or swapping maps.

You can drag map buttons within the Maps rollout, within the Basic Parameters rollout, or from one rollout to the other.

TipWhen you use the same map for multiple parameters, such as both self-illumination and opacity, it is usually easier to work with an instance rather than a copy.

Interface

Instance: Makes an instance of the map you dragged.

The newly assigned map is not independent. Adjusting the parameters of one map or the other changes both of them.
Copy: Copies the map you dragged.

The newly assigned map is a copy whose parameters you can adjust independently.
Swap: Swaps the maps. This option isn't displayed when you drag between rollouts.