The Pattern tool within the Transform menu creates patterns of 3D bodies, sketch regions, or entire sketches. In 3D Modeling, a pattern is the arrangement of elements derived from the same source object.
Explore the sections below:
Unlike sketch patterns, patterning bodies will have no connection between them, but patterned bodies are automatically placed in a folder in the Items Manager to make selections easier. For information on patterning within a sketch, see Pattern (Sketch).
Linear pattern
A linear pattern can be distributed along one, two, or three straight axes. Follow these steps to create a linear pattern within the 3D environment:
- Go to Transform > Pattern.
For other methods of accessing this tool visit Accessing tools. - Select Type to access the Pattern type menu.
- Choose Linear as the pattern type.
- Select the bodies or sketch regions you want to pattern.
Note: Double-click/double-tap on a face to select a body. - 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 for the pattern. 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.
- Pattern Definition – Use the first pattern control badge to select how you want to define the pattern. The options include:
- Drag a gizmo arrow in the direction you wish to create the pattern.
- Select the dimension label next to Total or Spacing and specify the desired value in the numpad.
- To define a second or third direction for the pattern, repeat steps 5 & 6 with the other available gizmo arrows.
- Complete the Pattern tool by selecting Done.
Circular pattern
A circular pattern distributes copies of selected elements around a specified center point. Follow these steps to create a circular pattern within the 3D environment:
- Go to Transform > Pattern
For other methods of accessing this tool visit Accessing tools. - Select Type to access the Pattern type menu.
- Choose Circular as the pattern type.
- Select the bodies or sketch regions you want to pattern.
Note: Double-click/double-tap on a face to select a body. - Move the gizmo center to where you want the pattern center to be.
- 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.
- Total Angle [Total] – Select this option to define a pattern using an overall angle for the pattern. 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.
- Pattern Definition – Use the first pattern control badge to select how you want to define the pattern.
- Drag a gizmo arrow in a circular motion to create the pattern.
- Select the dimension label next to Total or Spacing and specify the desired angle value in the numpad.
- Complete the Pattern tool by selecting Done.
Learn more by watching the video below: