Create equal distance on either side of a set of sketch elements

[codefoster]

Is there a way to use constraints or dimensions to create an equal amount of space on either side of this set of rectangles? You can see the 25.4mm on the left. That needs to be increased to move the entire set of rectangles to the right until the set is centered on the body face. I could do it manually, but I wonder if there's a way to let F360 calculate this for me and keep it dynamic when I change the rectangle width or the distance between them. If I try to add a dimension to the right side at this point I get an over constraint message.

Thanks.

[NicolasXu · Accepted solution]

Hi codefoster,

Symmetry constraint might be a good approach in this case. Please refer to the attached screenshot.

Also, for the set of rectangles, you may try sketch Pattern command.

[codefoster]

That looks like a good option. Thanks.

It might be worth while to explore whether the exact scenario I brought up is worth exploring as a feature. All of the constraints are between two features in the sketch, but the scenario I raised is more like a constraint between two dimensions. The tricky part is you can't currently create a "blank" or valueless dimension. You have to determine a value. Who knows. It's worth thinking about.

Anyway, thanks for the solution. That works for me.

[NicolasXu]

Thanks for your feedback.

There is an idea in IdeaStation to support driven dimension in Fusion. It's probably useful for the workflow, i.e. you can set the driven dimensions at eash side, the value doesn't matter and will not driving anything, but you can set the left one equal to the right one. 

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/fusion-360-ideastation-request-a/driven-dimensions/idi-p/5239927

[jjurban55]

I was wondering about this kind of thing and found a pretty good solution.  Basically, make construction lines (or regular lines) that are coincident with features that want to 'bulk' space, then set desired construction lines with equal constraint (can click on equal constraint button then go crazy clicking), and voila.  When redimension one, all others set equal update.  Just be sure the equal construction lines are at same angle to each other, so resulting spacing is indeed the same.  In example below I also used equal constraint to make features all equal (and easily updatable).  

[NicolasXu]

Hi jjurban55,

It’s indeed a good example to leverage the constraint relationship. In codefoster’s case, the outer rectangle is projected from other object, thus the overall width is fixed. So we just need to dimension the width of the small rectangle & all the shapes will be centered.

Thanks for sharing the solution!

[jjurban55]

Ah, I see how effective your symmetry method is, especially for overall fixed width like you said. Also tried the rectangular patterning you suggested, and that's really cool.  I realized you can right click on the patterning constraint icon on one's sketch and choose edit to enter new patterning information. 

Thanks!