Linked copies need different mappings. Repeat uses one placement on all copies, so the texture may not flow between them. Components stay linked.
Switching keeps the current appearance and resets the sliders. Shared components remain linked.
Controls scale sliders only: lower values give finer control, higher values expand the scale range.
Higher limits can be slower, especially on dense imported meshes.
Save the current mapping before closing, or discard the session and restore the previous mapping.