About Linear Patterns

Groups

A group is composed of a list of axes. Group limit axes limit the group. In 3D view, the group limit is represented with major axes. A lock/unlock status is associated to them.

Axes between the start limit axes and the end limit are group internal axes. A group may not have internal axis.

refers to group internal axes.

refers to group limit axes.

refers to Group 1.

refers to Group 2.

refers to Group 3.

Pattern Start and End Limits

By default, the pattern starts from the master axis which is also pattern start limit, and ends at the pattern end limit, called also pattern limit.

If the last group is defined by count and spacing, pattern end limit is not mandatory. Otherwise, it's mandatory.

represents the pattern start limit, the first axis of the pattern.

represents the pattern end limit, the last axis of the pattern.

refers to the start element.

refers to the start offset.

refers to the first axis of the pattern.

refers to the last axis of the pattern.

refers to the end offset.

refers to the end element.

A linear pattern always has a start limit and an end limit.

Count

The count is the number of axes of a given group.

For the first group of the pattern, the count includes the group start and group end axis.

For following groups of the pattern, the count includes only the group end axis.

Spacing

Spacing is the distance between two consecutive axes.

The distance is defined according to:

• The Measurement Method, which is "On Curve" or "On Projected Curve".
• The Distance Method, which is "Curvilinear Length" or "Chordal Length".

Group Definition by Count

You can define the count and group length. Spacing is computed.

Group defined by Count

refers to a group.

"a" refers to the spacing between each axis.

Group Definition by Spacing

You can define the spacing and group length. The count is computed.

The limit spacing can be located at:

• the group end limit
• the group start limit
• both group start and end limits

Group defined by spacing

refers to a group.

"a" refers to the spacing between each axis.

"b" refers to the limit spacing of a group.

Group Definition by count and spacing

You can define the count and the spacing. Group length is computed as follows:

• L = a * (n-1) for the first group
• L = a * n for following groups

Group Definition

End Limit of a Locked Group

If a group end limit is locked, the distance relative to the pattern start element is fixed. The group length can be modified.

When you modify the position of the limit axis of another group , you can modify the position of the end limit of the locked group.

The start and end axes of a pattern behave always as if they were locked, whether they are locked or unlocked.

If the limit axis of a pattern (except pattern start and end axes) is snagged to a point, it can never be unlocked.

Unlocked Group End Limit

If the end limit of a group is unlocked, the group length remains unmodified. When you modify the position of the limit axis of another group , you can modify the position of the end limit of the unlocked group.

refers to the first axis of the pattern.

refers to the limit axis of a group. It is unlocked.

refers to the selected limit axis of a group.

refers to the limit axis of a group.

refers to the last axis of the pattern.

refers to the lock of the first axis of the pattern. It is not impacted.

refers to the end limit axis of the first group. It is unlocked but not impacted.

refers to limit axis of the last group. It is unlocked and impacted.

Pattern Orientation

A pattern is oriented.

For linear pattern, the default pattern orientation is the Z direction of the master axis. You can reverse the pattern orientation. You can also give another direction to linear pattern.

Local Modification of Group Internal Axis

By default, the positions of all internal axes of a group are computed according to the group definition.

You can locally move the internal axis of a group to a specific position, or to a selected point.

Axes Deactivation

A deactivated axis is ignored.

In Component-based Design, no specification feature is generated at the positions of deactivated axes,

In Concrete Design, no rebar is generated at the position of deactivated axes.