PartDesign LinearPattern

Description
The Linear pattern tool creates evenly spaced copies of a feature in a linear direction. Starting with v0.17, it can pattern multiple features.



Above: An L-shaped pad (B) made on top of a base pad (A, also referred to as support'') is used for a linear pattern. The result (C) is shown on the right.''

Usage

 * 1) Select the feature(s) to be patterned. Alternatively, the feature can be selected from a dialogue after step 2.
 * v0.16 and below Only a single feature can be selected, and it must be the last one at the bottom of the feature tree.
 * 1) Press the  button.
 * 2) v0.17 and above Press  to add a feature to be patterned. The feature must be visible in the 3D view:
 * 3) Switch to the Model tree;
 * 4) Select in the tree the feature to be added and press  to make it visible in the 3D view;
 * 5) Switch back to the Tasks panel;
 * 6) Select the feature in the 3D view; it will be added to the list.
 * 7) Repeat to add other features.
 * 8)  Press  to remove a feature from the list, or right-click on the feature in the list and select
 * 9) Define the Direction. See Options.
 * 10) Define the Length (distance) between the last copied occurrence and the original feature.
 * 11) Set the number of occurrences.
 * 12) Press.

Direction
When creating a linear pattern feature, the LinearPattern parameters dialogue offers different ways of specifying the pattern direction.

Horizontal sketch axis
Uses the horizontal axis of the sketch for direction.

Vertical sketch axis
Uses the vertical axis of the sketch for direction.

Normal sketch axis
v0.17 and above Uses the normal axis of the sketch for direction.

Select reference...
Allows you to select either a DatumLine or an edge of an object or a line of a sketch to use for direction.

Custom Sketch Axis
If the sketch which defines the feature to be patterned also contains a construction line (or lines), then the drop down list will contain one custom sketch axis for each construction line. The first construction line will be labelled Sketch axis 0.

Base (X/Y/Z) axis
Select one of the Body Origin's standard axis (X, Y or Z) as direction.

Limitations

 * Pattern shapes may not overlap one another except for the special case of only two occurrences (original plus one copy)
 * Any pattern shapes that do not overlap the original's support will be excluded. This ensures that a PartDesign feature always consists of a single, connected solid
 * Only works with additive and subtractive features; transformation tools, dress-up tools and Boolean operations are not supported.
 * For further limitations, see the mirrored feature