Job: Creating a pattern of a feature in two linear directions

Creating a pattern of a feature in two linear directions

After starting the Pattern command, proceed as follows.

Click to select the feature that you want to copy.

End selection by right-clicking and choosing Continue in the context menu. To change the selected feature, right-click on Base Entities in the selection list, choose Reset in the context menu and select another feature.

From the Type drop-down list, choose the type of pattern:

Linear	Creates a linear pattern in one direction.
Angular	Creates an angular pattern about a single axis.
Linear-linear	Creates a linear pattern in two directions.
Linear-angular	Creates a linear pattern in one direction and then revolves those solids or features about an axis.
Angular-linear	Creates an angular pattern about an axis and then creates a linear pattern in one direction
Angular-angular	Creates an angular pattern about an axis and then revolves those solids or features about a second axis.

Select Linear-linear.

From the Placement drop-down list, choose the placement method.

Fit	Enables you to specify the number of copies and the linear or angular extension in which to fit those copies.
Fill	Enables you to specify the linear or angular step between the original and the first copy, and the linear or angular extension in which to fill those copies (with the number of copies determined by the number required to fill the extension).
Fixed	Enables you to specify the number of copies and the linear or angular step between the original and the first copy.
Inherit	Enables you to copy data from an existing pattern to be selected, automatically applying them to the pattern you are creating.

Select Fit.

In the 1st Direction drop-down list, select the method used to define the first direction of the copies by choosing either Line or 2 Points, and then specify the direction.
Choose Line and select the edge of the plate shown in the following illustration:

To change the selected line, right-click on 1st Direction, select Reset in the context menu and select another line.

In the 1st No. copies mini-dialog box, specify the number of copies (max. 400) along the first direction, including the original.

In the 1st Extension mini-dialog box, specify the total length over which the copies are to extend along the first direction
or
click and drag the handle to interactively set the length.

In the 2nd Direction drop-down list, select the method used to define the second direction of the copies by choosing either Line or 2 Points, and then specify the direction.
Choose Line and select the edge of the plate shown in the following illustration:

To change the selected line, right-click on 2nd Direction, select Reset in the context menu and select another line.

In the 2nd No. copies mini-dialog box, specify the number of copies (max. 400) along the second direction, including the original.

In the 2nd Extension mini-dialog box, specify the total length over which the copies are to extend along the second direction
or
click and drag the handle to interactively set the length.

If necessary, click More Options to specify additional options.

Only when patterning features — not a solid — , the Mode drop-down list is available, enabling you to select the method to create the pattern copies:

Fast	Copies only the geometry of the selected feature
Smart	Copies the logic of the selected features, not just the geometry. Copies are obtained by creating a new feature based on the original data in the new position.

Use the Simplified preview check box to control the way preview images of the copies are displayed: When selected, it shows preview images of patterns using simple X's. When not selected, it shows preview images of patterns using actual copied solids or features. Enabling the simplified preview can be very useful when the number of faces of the involved features/solid is high. When this number reaches 400, the program, after a confirmation request, switches to the simplified preview mode.

Only when patterning a solid — not features — the Joined copies check box is available, to determine whether the copies are created as one solid or individual solids.

Click

to confirm your selections and create the pattern.

Click

to discard your changes.