How to use measure tool for calculating distance of rectangular pattern

[tbrandtsiue]

I'm having trouble using the measure tool to find the correct distance for a rectangular pattern. I am trying to evenly space weight saving holes while using an attractive design consisting of a rectangular pattern of some polygons. I started by sketching some polygons and fully constraining them, but when I try to measure distance for a rectangular pattern it just... doesn't work or I don't understand how it's supposed to work. 

I also tried creating the pattern and THEN apply some sketch constraints, e.g. a line from the lowest shape in the pattern to the bottom, and a line from the highest shape in the pattern to the top, and then applying an equal constraint to get the right distance. But Fusion 360 is either unable to compute the result or I over constrain the sketch.

I'd like to correctly space these rhombuses between these hexagons. 

[Warmingup1953 · Accepted solution]

the key is capturing your fx of the rectangular patterns and the quadrilaterals pattern distance fx/3*2 (of the hex pattern)

excuse my unconstrained quad

[Warmingup1953]

[etfrench]

Start with a hexagon at the center.  Define rhombus based on pattern distance.  Do a symmetric rectangular pattern  of the hexagons using defined pattern distance and spacing option.  Repeat the pattern using the rhombus, but enable suppression.

Calculate the pattern spacing by measuring the total distance divided by the desired number of items for each direction in the pattern.

Note: It would be best to only define the first hexagon and rhombus in the sketch.  Pattern the features after doing the extrude.

[Bunga777 · Accepted solution]

How to use measures in patterns

Right-click on the measure.

Once in measure mode, the cursor will take the shape of a ruler.

If it doesn't work once, try several times.

Once the cursor takes the shape of a measure, click on two places where you want to measure, and the value will be automatically entered.

To exit from measure mode, press the ESC key.

 

Please watch the video of the operation and refer to it. 

[TheCADWhisperer]

Can you File>Export your *.f3d file to your local drive and then Attach it here to a Reply?

[TrippyLighting]

Before everyone here gets carried away with sketch patterns, the general advise is not to use sketch patterns 😉

Use feature patterns instead.

[tbrandtsiue]

This was the simple, easy solution I was looking for - I knew there must be a way to do this without editing model parameters etc.

I still find it really strange that the measure tool behaves this way, but I was able to get it to work after watching your video. Thank you!

[tbrandtsiue]

This is also a great solution that makes a lot of sense. So the function here is essentially (outer pattern distance / outer pattern quantity) * inner pattern quantity.

So the distance between each item is the same in both patterns

[tbrandtsiue]

I see this mentioned quite often but I personally (someone who is very new to F360) find the feature pattern tool a lot more difficult to use. I guess If I measure everything and write down the desired dimensions before doing the pattern that may make it easier - once I start the pattern tool and then I try to find measurements or search for existing dimensions to reference I have a lot of difficulty

[davebYYPCU]

Huh?

After drawing one hex and one diamond.  

You have the same maths problem, with either sketch or modelling pattern.

Spacing - the 4x4 hex pattern has the same x and y spacing as the 3x3 diamond pattern.

When you work out the spacing for each direction, use those values in both patterns.

Might help.....

[etfrench]

And the measure tool is useless to determine the original spacing😁

[davebYYPCU]

Does this help....