Transform menu: Pattern tool

What is the Pattern tool?

You can use the Pattern tool to repeat 3D bodies, faces, or sketch profiles in straight directions or around a center point. Choose Pattern – Linear or Pattern – Circular from the Transform menu.

To learn how to pattern sketch items while maintaining sketch pattern constraints, visit Sketch menu: Pattern – Linear tool or  Sketch menu: Pattern – Circular tool .

Patterned bodies are grouped in the Items Manager for easier selection; unlike sketch patterns, their instances are not linked by sketch pattern constraints.

How to use the Pattern tool

Create a linear pattern

A linear pattern can repeat geometry along up to three straight directions.

1. Go to Transform > Pattern – Linear . 
   For other ways to access tools, visit Accessing tools . 
2. Select the bodies, faces, or sketch profiles to pattern. Double-click or double-tap a face to select an entire body.
3. Drag a gizmo arrow in the direction of the pattern.
4. Choose Total or Spacing and set the distance and quantity using the inline controls.
5. For additional directions, adjust the other gizmo arrows and their distance and quantity.
6. Optional: While the tool is active, select Pattern – Linear again to open the parameter card and adjust settings.
7. Select Done to finish.

Create a circular pattern

A circular pattern repeats geometry around a center point.

1. Go to Transform > Pattern – Circular . 
   For other ways to access tools, visit Accessing tools . 
2. Select the bodies, faces, or sketch profiles to pattern. Double-click or double-tap a face to select an entire body.
3. Move the gizmo center to the center of the pattern.
4. Choose Total or Spacing for the angle definition, then set the angle and quantity.
5. Choose Uniform or Rotated to control how each instance is oriented.
6. Drag the circular gizmo control to preview the pattern.
7. Optional: While the tool is active, select Pattern – Circular again to open the parameter card and adjust settings.
8. Select Done to finish.

Parameter Card and History Settings

Shapr3D records the tools you use as steps in History, allowing you to revisit and modify them later. Each History step stores its parameters, which you can access through the parameter card. You can adjust these parameters while using the tool or reopen the parameter card from History after completing the step.

Adjust Pattern parameters

While using Pattern – Linear or Pattern – Circular , select the active tool again to open its parameter card.

Pattern – Linear settings include:

• Bodies and Faces – Choose the geometry to pattern.
• Result – Choose New Body , Union , Intersect , or Subtract to control how patterned geometry interacts with existing bodies.
• Union With / Intersect With / Subtract From – When applicable, select the bodies involved in the chosen Boolean result.
• Direction #1, #2, and #3 – For each direction, set Distance Type (Total or Spacing), Distance , and Quantity .

Pattern – Circular settings include:

• Bodies and Faces – Choose the geometry to pattern.
• Center – Select or change the point around which instances are arranged.
• Angle Type – Choose Total or Spacing.
• Angle – Specify the pattern angle.
• Orientation – Choose Uniform or Rotated.
• Quantity – Set the number of instances.
• Result – Choose New Body , Union , Intersect , or Subtract to control how patterned geometry interacts with existing bodies.
• Union With / Intersect With / Subtract From – When applicable, select the bodies involved in the chosen Boolean result.

Result options: New Body creates separate bodies; Union combines overlapping geometry; Intersect retains shared volumes; and Subtract removes overlapping volumes. Depending on the selected result, additional body-selection fields appear.

To learn more about parameter cards, visit Parameter Cards .

Edit Pattern in History

Completed operations create dedicated Pattern – Linear or Pattern – Circular History steps. Their parameter cards preserve the relevant settings for each pattern type.

1. Open the History sidebar .
2. Select the corresponding Pattern – Linear or Pattern – Circular step to reopen its parameter card.
3.  Adjust the parameters as needed.
4. To finish editing, click anywhere in an empty area of the modeling space.

To learn more about editing modeling steps, visit History .

When to use the Pattern tool

Use Pattern to create:

• Repeated components – Arrange fasteners, ribs, or panels in rows or grids.
• Radial features – Repeat spokes, holes, or details around a center.
• Regular layouts – Distribute bodies or profiles at controlled distances or angles.

Best practices and troubleshooting

• Use Total to control overall extent or Spacing to control the distance or angle between instances.
• Check the gizmo center before creating circular patterns.
• Review the Result setting when patterning faces or bodies.