Create a Pattern From Sketch Geometry

General

• You can create a pattern from sketch geometry, but the editing possibilities of the pattern are more limited than with feature patterns of part models, so we recommend primarily using a feature pattern.
  • See Feature Patterns
• The main shortcoming of the sketch pattern compared to the feature pattern is that the number or spacing/angle of the members of the sketch pattern cannot be changed afterwards.
• Another shortcoming appears in assemblies, where, for example, when adding a screw to a hole in a feature pattern, the program enables the screw to be added to the pattern as well. This is not possible for holes created with a sketch pattern.
• A sketch pattern can be modified in such a way that the constraints of the "parent" lines can be changed, in which case the dimensions or position of the pattern members will change.

Create a Pattern From Sketch Geometry

1. Select a line or lines in a sketch.
   • Use the Ctrl key if you select more than one line.
2. Select the context-sensitive function Pattern.
   • The program opens the dialog box Pattern.
   • Sketch Pattern Dialog Box
3. Select the type of the pattern.
   • Linear or
   • Polar.
4. Fill in the pattern data.
   • You can no longer change this data (quantity, distances, angles, directions or the location of the center point) after the pattern has been created.
5. If necessary, click the direction or center point of the pattern
   • The direction of the pattern can be selected for a linear pattern.
   • The center point of the pattern can be selected for a polar pattern.
     • If you do not select the center point of the polar pattern, the program uses the origin of the sketch as the center point.
6. Select the preview to see how the pattern would be formed with the values you entered and selected.
7. Click OK to accept the creation of the sketch pattern or
   • Click Cancel to cancel the creation of the sketch pattern.
   • If you are adding a pattern in such a way that the program interprets the number of constraints as potentially slowing down the solving of the sketch, the program will warn about this and ask: Continue?
8. If necessary, select Yes to accept the addition of a large number of constraints or
   • Click No to add the pattern geometry without constraints.