diff --git a/eeschema/class_libentry.cpp b/eeschema/class_libentry.cpp
index 28d43a1de1..440e735a48 100644
--- a/eeschema/class_libentry.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/class_libentry.cpp
@@ -277,39 +277,17 @@ std::unique_ptr< LIB_PART > LIB_PART::Flatten() const
         wxCHECK_MSG( parent, retv,
                      wxString::Format( "Parent of derived symbol '%s' undefined", m_name ) );
 
-        retv.reset( new LIB_PART( *const_cast< LIB_PART* >( this ) ) );
+        // Copy the parent.
+        retv.reset( new LIB_PART( *const_cast< LIB_PART* >( parent.get() ) ) );
 
-        // Flattened symbols have no inheritance.
-        retv->SetParent( nullptr );
+        // Now add the inherited part (this) information.
+        retv->SetName( m_name );
 
-        // Flatten parent information into the derived symbol.
-        retv->SetUnitCount( parent->GetUnitCount() );
-
-        LIB_ITEM* newItem;
-
-        for( LIB_ITEM& item : parent->GetDrawItems() )
-        {
-            // Only add fields from the parent that are not present in the child.  The child
-            // symbol fields are already set.
-            if( item.Type() == LIB_FIELD_T )
-            {
-                LIB_FIELD* field = (LIB_FIELD*) &item;
-
-                if( retv->GetField( field->GetId() ) )
-                    continue;
-            }
-
-            newItem = (LIB_ITEM*) item.Clone();
-            newItem->SetParent( retv.get() );
-            retv->GetDrawItems().push_back( newItem );
-        }
-
-        if( parent->IsPower() )
-            retv->SetPower();
-        else
-            retv->SetNormal();
-
-        retv->LockUnits( parent->UnitsLocked() );
+        const LIB_FIELD* datasheetField = GetField( DATASHEET );
+        retv->GetField( DATASHEET )->SetText( datasheetField->GetText() );
+        retv->SetDocFileName( m_docFileName );
+        retv->SetKeyWords( m_keyWords );
+        retv->SetDescription( m_description );
     }
     else
     {
@@ -803,9 +781,9 @@ void LIB_PART::GetFields( LIB_FIELDS& aList )
 }
 
 
-LIB_FIELD* LIB_PART::GetField( int aId )
+LIB_FIELD* LIB_PART::GetField( int aId ) const
 {
-    for( LIB_ITEM& item : m_drawings[ LIB_FIELD_T ] )
+    for( const LIB_ITEM& item : m_drawings[ LIB_FIELD_T ] )
     {
         LIB_FIELD* field = ( LIB_FIELD* ) &item;
 
@@ -876,6 +854,15 @@ bool LIB_PART::HasConversion() const
             return true;
     }
 
+    if( PART_SPTR parent = m_parent.lock() )
+    {
+        for( const LIB_ITEM& item : parent->GetDrawItems() )
+        {
+            if( item.m_Convert > LIB_ITEM::LIB_CONVERT::BASE )
+                return true;
+        }
+    }
+
     return false;
 }
 
diff --git a/eeschema/class_libentry.h b/eeschema/class_libentry.h
index 9b7685d875..99b7901de8 100644
--- a/eeschema/class_libentry.h
+++ b/eeschema/class_libentry.h
@@ -271,7 +271,7 @@ public:
      * @param aId - Id of field to return.
      * @return The field if found, otherwise NULL.
      */
-    LIB_FIELD* GetField( int aId );
+    LIB_FIELD* GetField( int aId ) const;
 
     /** Return reference to the value field. */
     LIB_FIELD& GetValueField();
diff --git a/eeschema/sch_legacy_plugin.cpp b/eeschema/sch_legacy_plugin.cpp
index a206bd56c6..a23833b29c 100644
--- a/eeschema/sch_legacy_plugin.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/sch_legacy_plugin.cpp
@@ -2896,9 +2896,13 @@ void SCH_LEGACY_PLUGIN_CACHE::loadAliases( std::unique_ptr<LIB_PART>& aPart,
 
                 if( field->GetId() < MANDATORY_FIELDS )
                 {
+                    // Get all of the parent field information except for the string.
                     *newPart->GetField( field->GetId() ) = *field;
 
-                    if( field->GetId() == REFERENCE || field->GetId() == FOOTPRINT )
+                    // Restore the alias strings that are defined in this file format.
+                    if( field->GetId() == REFERENCE
+                      || field->GetId() == FOOTPRINT
+                      || field->GetId() == VALUE )
                         newPart->GetField( field->GetId() )->SetText( tmp );
                 }
             }
diff --git a/eeschema/sch_view.cpp b/eeschema/sch_view.cpp
index 36915f7d1e..be19cf2c40 100644
--- a/eeschema/sch_view.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/sch_view.cpp
@@ -135,20 +135,21 @@ void SCH_VIEW::DisplayComponent( LIB_PART* aPart )
     std::shared_ptr< LIB_PART > parent;
     LIB_PART* drawnPart = aPart;
 
+    // Draw the mandatory fields for aliases and parent symbols.
+    for( auto& item : aPart->GetDrawItems() )
+    {
+        if( item.Type() != LIB_FIELD_T )
+            continue;
+
+        LIB_FIELD* field = (LIB_FIELD*) &item;
+
+        if( field->GetId() < MANDATORY_FIELDS )
+            Add( &item );
+    }
+
+    // Draw the parent items if the symbol is inherited from another symbol.
     if( aPart->IsAlias() )
     {
-        // Draw the alias mandatory fields.
-        for( auto& item : aPart->GetDrawItems() )
-        {
-            if( item.Type() != LIB_FIELD_T )
-                continue;
-
-            LIB_FIELD* field = (LIB_FIELD*) &item;
-
-            if( field->GetId() < MANDATORY_FIELDS )
-                Add( &item );
-        }
-
         parent = aPart->GetParent().lock();
 
         wxCHECK( parent, /* void */ );
@@ -158,12 +159,12 @@ void SCH_VIEW::DisplayComponent( LIB_PART* aPart )
 
     for( auto& item : drawnPart->GetDrawItems() )
     {
-        // Do not overwrite the alias mandatory fields with the parent mandatory fields.
+        // The mandatory fields are already in place so we only add user defined fields.
         if( item.Type() == LIB_FIELD_T )
         {
             LIB_FIELD* field = (LIB_FIELD*) &item;
 
-            if( aPart->IsAlias() && field->GetId() < MANDATORY_FIELDS )
+            if( field->GetId() < MANDATORY_FIELDS )
                 continue;
         }
 
diff --git a/eeschema/toolbars_viewlib.cpp b/eeschema/toolbars_viewlib.cpp
index ed67d8674c..d45f105965 100644
--- a/eeschema/toolbars_viewlib.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/toolbars_viewlib.cpp
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ void LIB_VIEW_FRAME::ReCreateMenuBar()
 
 void LIB_VIEW_FRAME::SyncToolbars()
 {
-    std::unique_ptr< LIB_PART > symbol( GetSelectedSymbol() );
+    LIB_PART* symbol = GetSelectedSymbol();
 
     m_mainToolBar->Toggle( EE_ACTIONS::showDatasheet,
                            symbol && !symbol->GetDocFileName().IsEmpty() );
diff --git a/eeschema/tools/ee_inspection_tool.cpp b/eeschema/tools/ee_inspection_tool.cpp
index c0ba08a916..a13c61197d 100644
--- a/eeschema/tools/ee_inspection_tool.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/tools/ee_inspection_tool.cpp
@@ -252,8 +252,7 @@ int EE_INSPECTION_TOOL::ShowDatasheet( const TOOL_EVENT& aEvent )
     }
     else if( m_frame->IsType( FRAME_SCH_VIEWER ) || m_frame->IsType( FRAME_SCH_VIEWER_MODAL ) )
     {
-        std::unique_ptr< LIB_PART > entry =
-                static_cast<LIB_VIEW_FRAME*>( m_frame )->GetSelectedSymbol();
+        LIB_PART* entry = static_cast<LIB_VIEW_FRAME*>( m_frame )->GetSelectedSymbol();
 
         if( !entry )
             return 0;
diff --git a/eeschema/tools/lib_control.cpp b/eeschema/tools/lib_control.cpp
index 5971590a22..00d6080aeb 100644
--- a/eeschema/tools/lib_control.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/tools/lib_control.cpp
@@ -373,7 +373,7 @@ int LIB_CONTROL::AddSymbolToSchematic( const TOOL_EVENT& aEvent )
         }
         else
         {
-            part = viewFrame->GetSelectedSymbol().get();
+            part = viewFrame->GetSelectedSymbol();
             libId = part->GetLibId();
             unit = viewFrame->GetUnit();
             convert = viewFrame->GetConvert();
diff --git a/eeschema/viewlib_frame.cpp b/eeschema/viewlib_frame.cpp
index 71ad06e6f3..89f4f13b67 100644
--- a/eeschema/viewlib_frame.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/viewlib_frame.cpp
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ LIB_VIEW_FRAME::LIB_VIEW_FRAME( KIWAY* aKiway, wxWindow* aParent, FRAME_T aFrame
 LIB_VIEW_FRAME::~LIB_VIEW_FRAME()
 {
     if( m_previewItem )
-        GetCanvas()->GetView()->Remove( m_previewItem.get() );
+        GetCanvas()->GetView()->Remove( m_previewItem );
 }
 
 
@@ -248,17 +248,12 @@ void LIB_VIEW_FRAME::SetUnitAndConvert( int aUnit, int aConvert )
 }
 
 
-std::unique_ptr< LIB_PART > LIB_VIEW_FRAME::GetSelectedSymbol() const
+LIB_PART* LIB_VIEW_FRAME::GetSelectedSymbol() const
 {
-    std::unique_ptr< LIB_PART > symbol;
+    LIB_PART* symbol = nullptr;
 
     if( !m_libraryName.IsEmpty() && !m_entryName.IsEmpty() )
-    {
-        LIB_PART* tmp = Prj().SchSymbolLibTable()->LoadSymbol( m_libraryName, m_entryName );
-
-        if( tmp )
-            symbol = tmp->Flatten();
-    }
+        symbol = Prj().SchSymbolLibTable()->LoadSymbol( m_libraryName, m_entryName );
 
     return symbol;
 }
@@ -266,12 +261,12 @@ std::unique_ptr< LIB_PART > LIB_VIEW_FRAME::GetSelectedSymbol() const
 
 void LIB_VIEW_FRAME::updatePreviewSymbol()
 {
-    std::unique_ptr< LIB_PART > symbol = GetSelectedSymbol();
+    LIB_PART* symbol = GetSelectedSymbol();
     KIGFX::SCH_VIEW* view = GetCanvas()->GetView();
 
     if( m_previewItem )
     {
-        view->Remove( m_previewItem.get() );
+        view->Remove( m_previewItem );
         m_previewItem = nullptr;
     }
 
@@ -282,8 +277,8 @@ void LIB_VIEW_FRAME::updatePreviewSymbol()
         GetRenderSettings()->m_ShowUnit = m_unit;
         GetRenderSettings()->m_ShowConvert = m_convert;
 
-        m_previewItem.reset( symbol.release() );
-        view->Add( m_previewItem.get() );
+        m_previewItem = symbol;
+        view->Add( m_previewItem );
 
         wxString parentName = _( "<none>" );
         std::shared_ptr< LIB_PART > parent  = m_previewItem->GetParent().lock();
@@ -370,7 +365,7 @@ void LIB_VIEW_FRAME::OnSize( wxSizeEvent& SizeEv )
 
 void LIB_VIEW_FRAME::onUpdateUnitChoice( wxUpdateUIEvent& aEvent )
 {
-    std::unique_ptr< LIB_PART > part = GetSelectedSymbol();
+    LIB_PART* part = GetSelectedSymbol();
 
     int unit_count = 1;
 
@@ -701,7 +696,7 @@ void LIB_VIEW_FRAME::SetFilter( const SCHLIB_FILTER* aFilter )
 
 const BOX2I LIB_VIEW_FRAME::GetDocumentExtents() const
 {
-    std::unique_ptr< LIB_PART > part = GetSelectedSymbol();
+    LIB_PART* part = GetSelectedSymbol();
 
     if( !part )
     {
@@ -709,9 +704,14 @@ const BOX2I LIB_VIEW_FRAME::GetDocumentExtents() const
     }
     else
     {
-        EDA_RECT bbox = part->GetUnitBoundingBox( m_unit, m_convert );
-        return BOX2I( bbox.GetOrigin(), VECTOR2I( bbox.GetWidth(), bbox.GetHeight() ) );
+        std::shared_ptr< LIB_PART > tmp;
 
+        tmp = ( part->IsAlias() ) ? part->GetParent().lock() : part->SharedPtr();
+
+        wxCHECK( tmp, BOX2I( VECTOR2I(-200, -200), VECTOR2I( 400, 400 ) ) );
+
+        EDA_RECT bbox = tmp->GetUnitBoundingBox( m_unit, m_convert );
+        return BOX2I( bbox.GetOrigin(), VECTOR2I( bbox.GetWidth(), bbox.GetHeight() ) );
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/eeschema/viewlib_frame.h b/eeschema/viewlib_frame.h
index af9a1bb419..8e7334d8eb 100644
--- a/eeschema/viewlib_frame.h
+++ b/eeschema/viewlib_frame.h
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ public:
     int GetUnit() const { return m_unit; }
     int GetConvert() const { return m_convert; }
 
-    std::unique_ptr< LIB_PART > GetSelectedSymbol() const;
+    LIB_PART* GetSelectedSymbol() const;
 
     const BOX2I GetDocumentExtents() const override;
 
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ private:
      */
     bool m_selection_changed;
 
-    std::unique_ptr< LIB_PART > m_previewItem;
+    LIB_PART* m_previewItem;
 
     DECLARE_EVENT_TABLE()
 };
diff --git a/eeschema/viewlibs.cpp b/eeschema/viewlibs.cpp
index 6b015c1629..64e0f0bdad 100644
--- a/eeschema/viewlibs.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/viewlibs.cpp
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ void LIB_VIEW_FRAME::OnSelectSymbol( wxCommandEvent& aEvent )
     const auto libNicknames = libs->GetLogicalLibs();
     adapter->AddLibraries( libNicknames, this );
 
-    std::unique_ptr< LIB_PART > current( GetSelectedSymbol() );
+    LIB_PART* current = GetSelectedSymbol();
     LIB_ID id;
     int unit = 0;