Add Rectangular and Circular Pattern Support to Split and Mark Features

[s_strauss]

Currently, the Mark and Split features in Autodesk Inventor Professional 2026 do not support Rectangular Pattern or Circular Pattern (Polar Pattern) directly.

At the moment, users must create the pattern at the sketch level first and then apply the feature. While this workaround is functional, it adds unnecessary steps and reduces workflow efficiency, especially when design changes are required later.

Suggested Enhancement:Enable the Mark and Split commands to be patterned directly using the standard Rectangular Pattern and Circular Pattern feature tools, similar to other Inventor features.

Benefits:

• Faster and more efficient modeling workflows
• Reduced dependency on complex sketch patterns
• Easier design modifications and maintenance
• Improved feature tree organization and readability
• Consistent behavior with other Inventor features

This enhancement would provide greater flexibility and help users create repetitive mark and split operations more efficiently.

[andrewdroth]

I am trying to make surface models to be used in Autodesk Simulation Mechanical and in order to apply the forces correctly, I need to do various splits on a surface.

Inventor will not allow me to pattern a split, even though the preview shows properly. see screen cast below.

It will however allow a surface to be paterend that contains a split, but only if that split is defined by a sketch, and not by other geometry.

https://screencast.autodesk.com/main/details/274b31ca-abef-43c3-9017-5df47ce49b17

The ability to pattern surface splits would really help bridge the gap between using Inventor with Simulation models.

[Anonymous]

I can't imagine using this myself, although I am not suggesting it should not be included if you would find it useful.

I am only posting to suggest a work around for you while the feature has not been created.

Inventor is primarily a solid modeling program and works mych better with solids. Can you create your object/pattern as a solid object and then delete faces to turn it into a surface object?

[andrewdroth]

That's an interesting Idea, and I just tried it but it seems like the split cannot even be selected for a pattern when it's used to split a solid face. See screencast.

https://screencast.autodesk.com/main/details/13c842e7-7565-4f41-b62e-377e4f53d120

Most of the work we do is with solids, but when it comes creating FEA models of large thin walled structures, surfaces need to be used.

Unfortunately, creating solid bodies in order to ultimately create surface bodies just ends up being more work than is necessary. Inventor has good surfacing tools, they just need to be improved if Inventor is Autodesk's solution for creating Simulation files.

I can achieve these splits if I pattern the sketch, and then make three separate split features, but the goal is to minimize the number of features and time when making these parts.

[pa_caffrey]

I was pleased to see the new marked command as I usually just set up a sketch to project my etch requirements, however I've just tried to mark a rolled sheet metal part with patterned markings and found the function isn't there. A bit disappointed really and hope it can be added in the next release.

[kubicoir]

Could you pattern your markings within the sketch, and then use the sketch to create a Mark feature? Or is there any problem with this workflow?

Thank you.

[matthew.johnson200]

I'm also looking for the same functionality. Unfortunately I've tried the sketch method and that doesn't work either.

[Yijiang.Cai]

@matthew.johnson200, if there is no sketch text but only sketch geometries, it can be patterned in the sketch environment. And we can select all the pattern sketch geometries for mark feature creation. Now sketch text is not supported for pattern in sketch environment. 

[matthew.johnson200]

Thanks for the response. The problem with the pattern in the sketch and then selecting everything with the Mark tool is that if the pattern changes and more geometry get added to the sketch, it is not automatically added to the Mark and has to be selected manually. This means its not much use in parts where the patterns are automated via iLogic rules. And for etching text this would be useful for something like a drilling templates where you maybe have 100s of holes and want to etch the hole next to each hole. This can be done at the minute, but requires copying the text for each hole even though the holes are patterned.

[Yijiang.Cai]

@matthew.johnson200 it sounds reasonable for the perspective on design automation. As to manual workflow, we just need to edit the mark feature & window select the geometries, it will work fine. Thanks!

[jacquesmalice4531]

Hello, It would be very interesting if the "mark" command works like the "Project to surface" command.

[Bojan-Cabradi]

Patterning Mark feature should be supported to enable iPart and iLogic workflows. Manual workflow works fine, but it is manual.

[mgrenier1]

This needs to happen

[emanuel.c]

This would be so useful! Same use case scenario.

[donaldleigh]

Please include the option to pattern a mark feature. We often create etching for location of parts and holes in the flat pattern. Would be helpful if we can pattern the mark feature to match the hole pattern.

[samZ485F]

Commenting on this old thread, it has been a nagging issue for me since the Mark command was introduced.  I automate as much as possible for my flexible assembly workflow and it's a real pain, I copy-design and replicate large assemblies with minor custom changes on a project to project basis and despite the Mark command improving my workflow overall from the "unconsumed sketches" method of applying marked geometry to a flat pattern, it continues to restrict my workflow automation and lends itself to errors. 

It's really a shame that this hasn't been worked out yet, I would think full functionality with patterning etc would be a prerequisite prior to releasing a new feature or at least patched in the next version, and yet years after release and multiple versions it has still not been fixed.

[Yijiang.Cai]

Many thanks for posting the idea to us, and tracked as [INVGEN-56469] & [INVGEN-95364].