Feature Pattern Data

Select a linear or polar feature pattern. The dialog box adapts to the above choice.

See different feature patterns: Feature Patterns

Dialog Box Options

Linear
Defines the feature pattern as linear. Click Linear. You can define a linear feature pattern on a part for example in either one direction or in both the longitudinal and latitudinal direction. For a linear feature pattern, the number of pattern members, length/width or delta, formula and angle are determined.

Linear Feature Pattern

Pattern Location
Defines the insertion plane of a feature pattern. Select one of the following in the list:

Select the positioning method from the drop-down menu.

  • Default - The insertion plane of the parent feature.
  • Face - Select a face from the model to determine the insertion plane.
  • Line - Select a line from the model to determine the insertion direction and the position of the connection point for the sketch from the line. The selected line will be perpendicular to the insertion plane.
  • 3 Point Plane - Select the origin, a point defining the direction of the X axis and a point defining the direction of the plane.

See the examples: Linear Pattern Location Options

When inserting a feature pattern for a face, line or three-point plane, the sketch guiding the pattern is inserted into a plane. You can change the plane by selecting it from the feature tree and selecting the Relocate function.

Symmetric pattern (linear pattern only)
Select the check box Symmetric if you want to create a symmetrical feature pattern.

Example 1: The feature is located at the center of symmetry before creating the pattern:
  • First, locate the feature to be patterned to the center of symmetry.
  • Select the feature to be patterned and the context-sensitive function Feature Pattern
  • Select Symmetric
  • Position the auxiliary geometry of the pattern at the center of symmetry.

Example 2: The feature is located somewhere other than the center of the symmetry of the pattern.
  • Select the feature to be patterned and the context-sensitive function Feature Pattern.
  • select: Symmetric.
  • Position the auxiliary geometry of the pattern at the center of symmetry (A).
  • Position the feature with the coincidence constraint at the center of symmetry (B).

Polar
Defines the feature pattern as polar. Click Polar. For a polar feature pattern, define the number of features, the angle between features and the radius among other things with which the features will be set.

Polar Feature Pattern in a Plane

Feature Pattern on a Cylinder Face

Direction (polar pattern only)
Select the pattern’s direction from the drop-down menu. The direction only matters if the pattern is not set in a full circle.
  • Clockwise.
  • Counterclockwise.

No rotation (polar pattern only)
An asymmetric feature will be rotated in a polar feature pattern. You can prevent rotation of a feature by selecting the No rotation check box.
On the left, the feature is rotated and on the right, the feature is not rotated.

Number
Defines the number of features to be added to the part. The parent feature, based on which the feature pattern is created, is counted as one of the features in the feature pattern.

Formula
Defines a variable for the number, length, width, radius, or angle.

Length
Defines the length value (L) in the longitudinal direction at which the features will be set at equal distances. The direction of the positive X axis determines the longitudinal direction on the part (default).
  • Check the directions of the axes by pressing the K key, and the cursor changes to a coordinate cursor. A second press of the K key returns the normal cursor.
  • If necessary, you can rotate the feature pattern with the auxiliary functions.
  • If necessary, you can also rotate the feature pattern using constraints related to auxiliary geometry.

Example: Define a linear pattern to length’s direction: 6 pieces of components, the length is 120.

Example: Define a polar feature pattern to the surface of the cone in the longitudinal direction: features 3 pcs., length 40 (distance between the outermost circles). Volumes on the circle total of 12.

Width
Defines the width value (W) in the latitudinal direction at which the features will be set at equal distances. The direction of the positive Y axis determines the latitudinal direction on the part (default).
  • Define a linear pattern to length’s direction: 3 pieces of components, the length is 40.
Define a linear feature pattern in both the longitudinal and latitudinal directions (angle = 90 degrees).
Scale
Defines the distance (D) left between the features in either the longitudinal or latitudinal direction. Define a linear pattern to length’s direction: 2 pieces of components, the length is 120.
Radius
Defines the radius value of the auxiliary geometry of the polar feature pattern.
  • Note that the location of the center point of the auxiliary geometry, relative to the feature to be patterned, determines the radius of the pattern.
  • Recommendation: Enter the radius of the polar feature pattern as the radius and position the center point of the pattern in place. After that, position a feature, e.g. the center of the hole with a coincidence constraint in the auxiliary geometry.
  • If no radius value is entered, the program will use the default radius value (R=100)
The center point of the feature pattern sketch has been made coincident with the origin of the sketching coordinate system. In addition, the center point of the parent feature (A) is coincident with the origin of the sketch. Thus, the parent feature will also be moved along with the feature pattern when you change the radius value.
Angle: Linear Feature Pattern
Defines the angle of a linear feature pattern. The angle of a symmetrical feature pattern is 90 degrees.
  • The angle of the feature pattern is 70 degrees. Note that the auxiliary geometry of the feature pattern (red dashed line) is constrained to the horizontal edge line of the surface by the distance constraint (8mm).
  • The angle of the feature pattern is 75 degrees. Note that the auxiliary geometry of the feature pattern (greeen dashed line) is constrained to the vertical edge line of the surface by the distance constraint (8mm).

Angle: Polar Feature Pattern
Defines the angles at which the features will be set at equal distances. The features will be set clockwise in relation to the parent feature.
Define the angle value as 180 degrees and the number of features as five.

Deleted
Defines the features to be deleted from a feature pattern. The position of the features is given as the XY coordinates, entered in parentheses. A period (.) is used to separate the X and Y coordinates. In the Deleted field, you can enter several features to be deleted one after another, for example, (1.1)(1.3). The parent feature is (1.1). You can define the features to be deleted when creating the feature pattern or when editing it.
After deleting features by using the Delete function, the coordinates of the deleted features will be displayed in the Deleted field when you select the feature pattern for editing. You can edit the data by adding or deleting coordinates.
Edit the feature pattern by deleting the following features: (1.1)(2.3)(3.1)(4.3)(5.1)(6.3).
In a polar feature pattern, the parent feature will have the coordinates (1.1). The numbering continues clockwise: (2.1)(3.1), etc.

Pattern copies too
This option is displayed in the dialog box if the feature has copies. The selection is also displayed for a feature placed on the cylindrical or conical surface.
  • When you add a library feature and have placed it on the surface of a part, you can also add a copy of the feature with the context-sensitive function Add Feature Copy..
In the left image, the copy is not included in the pattern. In the image on the right, the copy is included in the pattern.