Using a Global Variable for the Number of Instances in a SOLIDWORKS Sketch Pattern [VIDEO]

Article by Saeed Mojarad (CSWE) updated July 19, 2016

Article

If you have been using SOLIDWORKS for some time you may agree with me that using global variables and equations can save a lot of time. It is easy to make a variable and link it to a dimension. Well at least most of the time. You are asking why most of the time? With a SOLIDWORKS Sketch Pattern it is a little tricky to use a global variable to control the number of instances.

Let’s say you want to pattern a 2D entity in your sketch. You can use “Linear Sketch Pattern” or “Circular Sketch Pattern” tools. Now if you try to link the number of instances to a global variable, SOLIDWORKS will display an error message that states “you can only type a number here”.

SOLIDWORKS Sketch Pattern PropertyManager

Circular Pattern PropertyManager

Tutorial video

But don’t worry. Fortunately, there is a simple workaround for that which I have explained in this short video:

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Saeed Mojarad (CSWE)

Saeed Mojarad is an application engineer at Javelin Technologies. He received his B.S from Mazandaran University, Iran; and his M.S. from École de technologie supérieure (ETS), Canada. He has several years of experience using SOLIDWORKS in different industries such as manufacturing and aerospace. Currently located in Calgary, he is helping SOLIDWORKS users all across Canada as a technical support and SOLIDWORKS instructor.