Pattern (Sketch)

The Pattern tool within the Sketch menu creates patterns of sketch elements such as lines, arcs, and curves. Patterns are multiple copies of selected elements, evenly spaced in the design space.

Linear pattern

A linear sketch pattern can be distributed along one or two straight axes. Follow these steps to create a linear pattern within a sketch:

1. Within an existing sketch, go to Sketch > Pattern.
   For other methods of accessing this tool, visit Accessing tools.
2. Select the menu below Pattern to access the Pattern type menu.
3. Set the pattern type to Linear.
   
4. Select the sketch elements that you want to pattern.
5. Customize the pattern using the pattern control badges:
   • Pattern Definition: Use the first pattern control badge to select how you want to define the pattern. The options include:
     • Total Distance [Total]:  Select this option to define the pattern using an overall dimension. Copies of the selected sketch elements will be equally spaced across the dimension specified. 
     • Spacing Distance [Spacing]: Select this option to define the pattern by specifying the distance between each copied instance. 
   • Quantity:  Use this pattern control badge to enter the number of copies required for the pattern.
6. Drag a gizmo arrow in the direction you wish to create the pattern. 
7. Select the dimension label beside Total or Spacing to enter a value.
8. To define a second direction for the pattern, repeat steps 5 & 6 with the second gizmo arrow.
9. Complete the Pattern tool by selecting an empty area of the grid.

Circular pattern

A circular sketch pattern distributes copies of selected elements around a specified center point. Follow these steps to create a circular pattern within a sketch: 

1. Within an existing sketch, go to Sketch > Pattern.
   For other methods of accessing this tool, visit Accessing tools.
2. Select the menu below Pattern to access the Pattern type menu.
3. Set the pattern type to Circular.
4. Select the sketch elements that you want to pattern.
5. Move the gizmo center to where you want the pattern center to be.
6. Customize the pattern using the pattern control badges:
   • Pattern Definition: Use the first pattern control badge to select how you want to define the pattern. The options include:
     • Total Angle [Total]:  Select this option to define a pattern using an overall angle. Copies of the selected sketch elements will be equally spaced across the angle specified. 
     • Spacing Angle [Spacing]: Select this option to define the pattern by specifying the angle between each copied instance. 
   • Quantity: Use this pattern control badge to enter the number of copies required for the pattern.
   • Circular Orientation: Use this pattern control badge to define how the pattern instances will be rotated. The options include:
     • Uniform: Select this option to maintain the original item’s orientation for each copy. 
     • Rotated: Select this option to rotate each copy’s orientation relative to the gizmo center.  
7. Drag a gizmo arrow in a circular motion to create the pattern.
8. Select the dimension label beside Total or Spacing to enter a value.
9. Complete the Pattern tool by selecting an empty area of the grid.

History settings

To manage history settings for the automatic Pattern action, find the step for your specific sketch and then view or modify the following:

• Plane – Click/tap Edit… or Select… to modify the plane or face where you want the sketch to be and then select Done.
• Projection – If applicable, click/tap Edit… to modify any existing projections to your sketch.
  Note: To learn more about sketch projections, visit Project.
  
  

Learn more by watching the video below: