Instances
A module that supports it can exist as more than one instance, each skinned for a specific purpose. This is how a general Machines module becomes a focused 3D Printers area, a Lasers area, and a CNC area, all at the same time.
One module, several skins
Turn on a few instances of Machines and you get:
- 3D Printers, with fields like nozzle size and bed dimensions
- Lasers, with fields like wattage and work area
- CNC, with its own fields
Each instance has its own name, its own place in the nav, and its own custom fields. Underneath, they're all still machines. An instance is a skin and a set of fields over the same base module, not a separate copy of it.
Why it works this way
You get a clean, purpose-named area for each kind of thing, without duplicating the module or splitting your data model in two. And because the items share a base, a view can focus on one instance (just the printers) or, where it makes sense, cover several at once.
Not every module can be instanced. Some only exist as one copy per workspace. The ones that support instances let you spin up as many named ones as you want.