Creating Circular Patterns using Single Elements

You can create circular patterns using single surfacic or volumic elements, i.e. duplicate an original wireframe or surface-type element at the location of your choice according to a circular arrangement.


Before you begin: Insert in an assembly an existing 3D shape containing wireframe or surface elements.
  1. From the Assembly section of the action bar, click Circular Pattern .
    The Choose a 3D Shape dialog box appears.
  2. Click Create new in the Choose a 3DShape dialog box.

    In the Choose a 3D Shape dialog box:

    • The Product box displays the name of the active product.
    • 3DShapes either lists the available 3D shapes instanced under the active product or lists the available 3D shapes instanced under a selected product. In both cases, these 3D shapes can be modified.
    • The Create new command allows you to create a 3D shape.
      Important: When you create a new 3D shape in Assembly commands context, its Nature is set as Specification whatever your choice in the dialog box, and you cannot change the nature of this 3D shape after it has been created with this command. See Nature of a New 3D Shape Created in Assembly Commands Context.
    • The Automatically create new 3D Shape when none exists option allows you to create a 3D shape either under the active or selected product automatically. In this case, the Choose a 3D Shape dialog box does not appear.

    The New Content tab appears.
  3. Click 3D Shape under Physical Product Structure node in the New Content tab.
  4. Click OK in the 3D Shape dialog box.
    The new 3D Shape is created under the active product.
  • Important: You switch from Assembly Design app to the last representation app you used.
    1. Select the element you want to replicate as a pattern in the work area.
    2. Click the Reference element box to select a line, a planar face or surface edge to specify the first direction.
    3. Optional: Click the Reverse Direction to reverse the direction.
    4. In the Parameters list, select the type of parameters to replicate.
      OptionDescription
      Instance(s) & total angle The number of patterns as specified in the instances box is created, in the specified direction, and evenly spread out over the total angle.

      Instance(s) & angular spacing The number of patterns as specified in the instances box are created in the specified direction, each separated from the previous/next one of the angular angle value.

      Angular spacing & total angle As many patterns as possible are created over the total angle, each separated from the previous/next one of the angular angle value.

      Complete crown The number of patterns as specified in the instances box is created over the complete circle (360 degree).

      Instance(s) & unequal angular spacing The number of patterns as specified in the instances box is created using a specific angular spacing between each instance.

      Angular spacing values are displayed between each instance.

      To edit the values between each instance, you need to edit them individually. Select the angular spacing of interest, then choose one of the methods described hereafter: For instance, if you appears to change 72 degree for 100 degree for the angular spacing selected as shown in our picture, you can:

      • Double-click the angle value in the 3D geometry. This displays the Parameter Definition dialog box in which you can enter the new value.
      • Directly enter the new value in the Angular spacing box of the Circular Pattern Definition dialog box.


      Important: If you set Instance(s) & total angle or Angular spacing & total angle parameters, note that you cannot define the angle by using formulas.

    5. Select the Crown Definition tab, and select the parameters to define the crown.
      OptionDescription
      Circle(s) & crown thickness Define the number of circles and they are spaced out evenly over the specified crown thickness.
      Circle(s) & circle spacing Define the number of circles and the distance between each circle, the crown thickness being computed automatically.
      Circle(s) spacing & crown thickness Define the distance between each circle and the crown thickness, and the number of circles is automatically computed.
      This figure may help you define these parameters:

      For instance, using the values described above for the Angular spacing & total angle option, you could define the crown as:

      Note: Patterns can also be created outside the support surface boundaries.
      Tip: In the pattern preview, click the point materializing an instance to delete it. Click again to add it.

    6. Position the instances in relation to the first selected element.
      1. Set the Rotation angle parameter to 30deg.
      2. If enabled, click Radial alignment to clear the option.
      The initially selected element has moved 30deg from its initial location, based on the rotation direction, and all instances are normal to the lines tangent to the circle.

    7. Optional: If more than 15 instances are generated, click Simplified representation in the Layout options area to lighten the pattern geometry and click Preview.
      Not simplified geometry

      Simplified geometry

      You can also specify the instances you do not want to see by double-clicking them. These instances are then represented in dashed lines during the pattern definition and then are no longer visible after validating the pattern creation. The specifications remain unchanged, whatever the number of instances you view. This option is particularly useful for patterns including a large number of instances. When selecting Radial alignment , all instances have the same orientation as the original feature. When cleared, all instances are normal to the lines tangent to the circle.

    8. Click OK to create the pattern.


      Important:
      • Patterning User Features (UDFs) is not allowed.
      • You cannot cut nor copy circular patterns, except if they belong to the same body.
      • You come back in the Assembly Design app.