Rectangular Pattern Snap/Constrain?

[Anonymous]

Newbie to F360 here.

So I want to make an evenly spaced number of lines within a rectangle in a sketch. So I select one end of the rectangle -> Create -> Rectangular Pattern -> Set distance type to Extent -> drag the arrow towards the opposite edge of the rectangle...annoyingly, it does not snap to the opposite edge. Nor does there seem to be any way of constraining it to the existing rectangle's edge.

Is there a way around this other than removing the pattern constraint and then manually splitting up the rectangle and adding equal constraints everywhere?

Thanks.

[jhackney1972]

This is a very easy and simple process if you use the Measure option in the Pattern dialog box.  Take a look at the screencast.  I have added a screen capture showing the drop-down for the Measure command.

[Anonymous]

Yes but if I then change the size of the rectangle, the pattern does not adjust. I'm looking for something that constrains the "Distance" parameter of the pattern to an existing dimension.

[Phil.E · Accepted solution]

@Anonymous That would be a "named user parameter".

Assuming you are using the parametric features in Fusion (timeline enabled).

1. Open the Modify menu in Model space
2. Click on "Parameters"
3. And either...
   1. Add a user parameter for the rectangle edge length.
      1. Use this parameter in the rectangle sketch
      2. Use this named parameter in the pattern dialog.
   2. Find the parameter already in place for the rectangle, jot down the name (or change it)
      1. Use this parameter in the pattern dialog.

[Anonymous]

I'll try that tomorrow.

That sounds like something where I could have a variety of variables that i can adjust without having to drill down into a sketch, correct?🤔 That would be very useful.

[Phil.E]

Exactly.

You might want to do some study in the help section before you work much more in Fusion. A little knowledge goes a long way.

First, the difference between parametric and non-parametric.

http://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/ENU/?guid=GUID-50BD1E6B-21B7-48A2-9D6C-458914365A5C

Parameters in sketches

http://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/ENU/?guid=GUID-715E7B9F-453B-4660-BC8B-E0C7B0E2ED80

Creating a parameter

http://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/ENU/?guid=GUID-641B7988-58E2-49A5-99D6-330779FA03AB

Parameters dialog box reference

http://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/ENU/?guid=GUID-76272551-3275-46C4-AE4D-10D58B408C20

Here's a video showing a demonstration of a workflow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dugYfxhJfPc

Good luck, let us know how it goes!