[cat]

I would like to ask what is the best way to UV map repeating parts of a model. Have a look at the Photo áttached.

I found 2 different methods to do it:

1.
Model and duplicate all parts, then merge into 1 model. Then I used the "copy UV" in the texture editor to have all the panels use the same UV. However this requires alot of clicking and the function is not always doing it correctly.

2.
Model the first panel, then Uv map it, then duplicate.


Is there a better way for this? Or does it "normal" to have to do a lot of this "manually" when using repeating geometry?