Creating Rectangular Patterns in xSheetMetal

xSheetMetal allows users to create three different categories of patterns: rectangular, circular and user defined.  A rectangular pattern consists of a pattern that goes in two different directions.  A circular pattern consists of a pattern that matriculates around a singular point.  A user defined pattern is based on number of instances and positions by default based on center of gravity.  Below we will go over the different types of rectangular patterns and how to create them.

A rectangular pattern can be patterned based on instances and length, instances and spacing, or spacing and length.  An instances and length rectangular pattern spaces instances based upon inputted number of instances and total length. In an instances and spacing rectangular pattern, the total size of the pattern depends on number of instances and inputted spacing value. In a spacing and length rectangular pattern, the number of instances generated depends on spacing and length value inputted.

Below we will go over how to create rectangular patterns:

Instances and Lengths Rectangular Pattern:

Under the Sheet Metal tab choose rectangular pattern.

In the Dialog Box:

1. Choose either feature or body to direct the pattern
2. Under object to pattern, select feature/body to be patterned
3. Under first direction, reference one, choose an edge to direct your pattern
4. Under parameters, choose instances and lengths
5. Under instances, choose how many instances you wanted patterned in the first direction
6. Under length, choose the overall length of pattern in specified direction
7. Under position, choose how many instances desired in direction chosen above
8. Under second direction, do steps 5-7 again
9. The whole pattern can be rotated using the rotational angle

Instances and Spacing Rectangular Pattern:

Under the Sheet Metal tab choose rectangular pattern.

In the Dialog Box:

1. Choose either feature or body to direct the pattern
2. Under object to pattern, select feature/body to be patterned
3. Under first direction, reference one, choose an edge to direct your pattern
4. Under parameters, choose instances and spacing
5. Under instances, choose how many instances you wanted patterned in the first direction
6. Under spacing, choose the distance desired between each instance
7. Under position, choose how many instances desired in direction chosen above
8. Under second direction, do steps 5-7 again
9. The whole pattern can be rotated using the rotational angle

Spacing and Length Rectangular Pattern:

Under the Sheet Metal tab choose rectangular pattern.

In the Dialog Box:

1. Choose either feature or body to direct the pattern
2. Under object to pattern, select feature/body to be patterned
3. Under first direction, reference one, choose an edge to direct your pattern
4. Under parameters, choose spacing and lengths
5. Under length, choose how overall distance the pattern will cover in the specified direction
6. Under spacing, choose the distance desired between each instance
7. Under position, choose how many instances desired in direction chosen above
8. Under second direction, do steps 5-7 again
9. The whole pattern can be rotated using the rotational angle