Circular patterns

You can create circular patterns with the Pattern command (3D features) . With the profile window open, select the Circular Pattern button on the Features tab. You can also draw lines, arcs, and other elements as construction geometry to help you define the pattern profile.

You can construct partial or full circular patterns.

When drawing the pattern arc or circle, you specify a center point (A), a start point (B) and a direction (C).

The center point defines the center of the pattern arc or circle and also defines the axis of rotation for the feature you are patterning.

The start point defines the radius of the pattern circle. The physical size of the pattern circle has no impact on the pattern you are placing.

The direction controls whether the pattern occurrences are copied in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.

You can construct circular patterns with the following placement options:

• Fit

• Fill

• Fixed

The Fit and Fill options are available with both partial and full circular patterns. The Fixed option is only available when placing partial circular patterns.

• Fit example

  With the Fit option, you specify the number of occurrences, and the radius of the pattern circle. If you specify a partial circular pattern, you also specify the sweep angle of the arc. The angular Spacing value on the command bar is calculated automatically, is read-only, and it is not required to be a whole number.

• Fill example

  With the Fill option, you specify the angular spacing, and the radius of the pattern circle. If you specify a partial circular pattern, you also specify the sweep angle of the arc. The Count value on the command bar is calculated automatically, is read-only, and will always be a whole number.

  The Fill option fills the area, but does not place the last occurrence if the theoretical Count value is not a whole number, and the product of the angular Spacing times the Count minus 1 exceeds 360° for full circular patterns.

  For example, you can create a full circular pattern with an angular Spacing of 47°, and still have a total of 8 occurrences in the pattern, since 7 times 47 equals 329. The angular spacing between the last occurrence and the parent feature will be 31°.

  

• Fixed example

  With the Fixed option, you specify the you the number of occurrences, the angular spacing, and the radius of the pattern circle. The Sweep value on the command bar is calculated automatically, is read-only, and it is not required to be a whole number.