Sketching a Grid Effectively?

[cooperAL5P5]

I'm trying to model a box with wooden dividers inside of it (like a grid) for some Fusion 360 practice. I want the box's internal size to be defined by how many squares of a certain dimension exist inside of it. I've started a sketch, but I'm having trouble figuring out a best practice for creating this with a rectangular pattern.

How would you sketch a grid of squares of, say, 50mm x 50mm, with a variable amount of rows and columns, while taking into account the thickness of the wood that will create the grid? Ideally this grid will be enclosed in one large rectangle, and that large rectangle will grow and shrink as I change the number of rows and columns to the grid using parameters.

This seems like such a simple task, but it's proving to be pretty tough for me. Any help would be much appreciated.

EDIT: I've worked out how to do most of this using a combination of parameters and math to dimension the outer lines of the box (although I'm curious if there's a better/simpler way than my solution). However, I'm still stumped on how to work in the thickness of the dividers. See attached file for where I'm at, and try messing with the Rows and Columns parameters.

[etfrench · Accepted solution]

It's just a matter of entering a few formulas in your User Parameters 😎

[cooperAL5P5 · Accepted solution]

😭So much more in depth than I realized. Thanks for the solution! I figured out an alternate approach as well in the midst of all of this. Not sure if my solution would lead to other problems or not.

I did realize after awhile, however, that drawing the grid isn't necessary. If I'm not mistaken, it makes more sense to create the patterns on the modeling side of the things, from a single extruded component (per direction), right?

Thanks again!

[chrisplyler]

Yes, it is better to pattern in the model space instead of in the sketch. I've modeled a similar box, and made a video for you. As you watch it, please note the following:

1. I did not enter formulas into my parameters. I only created parameters with my desired hard base values.

2. Instead, I used those parameters in formulas that I created both in sketch dimensions and in pattern settings.

3. I made the shell box as a single, contiguous component. In real life this box will probably consist of several separate components itself, but I was only concerned with demonstrating the patterning.

4. I made the box, cutting a groove for the first horizontal divider and a groove for the first vertical divider. I made them with separate features so that I could then apply the appropriate pattern to each one individually.

5. I made a container/assembly component in which to organize the horizontal dividers and did the same for the vertical dividers.

6. Just like the grooves in the box, I made the slotting cut in the first horizontal divider, and then patterned that cut as a feature. Then, in the same way, I patterned the whole divider component. This results in multiple horizontal divider components within the container/assembly component.

7. Then I did the same, in the appropriate container/assembly component, for the vertical dividers. Made the first one, cut the slot in it, patterned that slot, and then patterned the whole divider.

8. Since I put the formulas into my sketch dimensions, and into extrude distances, and into the pattern settings, I can just update the base parameter values as desired, and the whole, assembled box changes accordingly.

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/community/screencast/1ffc7a36-cfde-4f65-becd-e3de67d1a8c4