How to cut through component copies

[ittay.dror]

I'm trying to design a table. So I created a component for each plank, copied the number I need and tried to cut a recess for the leg (see recording link). But instead of getting one recess I get holes for each component. What is the proper way to create the recess? 

[davebYYPCU]

Copy Paste, allows changes to the Parent or Children and will effect all. (Your current position)

Copy Paste New, allows changes to the Parent, that will not effect the Children.

Might help...

[ittay.dror]

Well, I want to have the best of both worlds: Use components so that a
change to one affects all copies and also be able to create a hole (a
"negative" body) in them.

[TrippyLighting]

Copy/Pasted Components are instances of the seed component. In essence they are pointing to the same data set. A change to any instance is in essence a change to the one data set so all instances are changed.

There is a way to create a component and use the body in the component as base geometry for another component, which then can be modified without changing the original component. If that works, however and how yo get that to work depends on how you designed your table. If you can share your design we can take a look at it and suggest a path forward.

[ittay.dror]

Yes, I understand that a change to a component will change all its
instances. The question is whether I can create a negative space in an area
where there are components. The components are supposed to remain the same.

[TrippyLighting]

Yes, you can simply create a sketch a extrude-cut an opening into an existing component. That sketch can be in another component. The default behavior depends on which component is activated, so pay attention to the default in "Operation" in the extrude dialogue and change it to your needs.

You can also use existing geometry and use the Modify->Combine/Cut tool to remove geometry form an existing component.

[ittay.dror]

See my video, the cut modifies all instances in the same way

[TrippyLighting]

Where's the video ?

The UI for embedding videos could definitely use an improvement. Many users new and experienced run into this.

[ittay.dror]

The screencast is at https://autode.sk/2Lzbzvw 

[TrippyLighting]

The cut extrude affects all instances at the same time.

Assuming that you want that slot on the underside of the table exactly in exactly the lengths/depth/width as sketched, you would affect different instances of that same component differently. 

The components on either end would have a partial slot, and the components in the middle would have a complete slot. So that make 3 different geometries.