Add 'sketched feature select' to Pattern Component command

[MrSmithtastic]

As the title says, I think this is a bit of a no-brainer!

I along with most others at my company create holes using sketch points. It would be very handy if the Pattern Component command would recognise these holes and allow them to be selected to pattern screws etc.

 

[jtylerbc]

There is a possible roundabout way to do this now, using a relatively new feature.  It doesn't literally do what you're asking for, but the end result is the same once you get to the assembly.  This doesn't necessarily invalidate the idea, but may give you a way to get the desired result right now, using features that already exist.

In the part:  Draw the sketch exactly as you have been doing.  But instead of placing all the holes in the pattern from the sketch, only place the first hole.  Then turn visibility of the sketch back on, and use "Sketch Driven Pattern" to create the rest of the holes.

In the assembly:  Constrain the first fastener to the original hole.  Then use Pattern Components, selecting the sketch driven hole pattern as the feature pattern to follow.

[MrSmithtastic]

Actually I quite like that work-around.

I mean I still think the ability to do what I've suggested should be there. as it is with placing a screw (automatically finds others) or by following a pattern with bolted connection tool.

But yeh, I like it. Thanks!

[jtylerbc]

I've found it very useful.  I would say that the majority of groups of holes I've created since the Sketch Driven Pattern was introduced have been made that way.  I've introduced it to a few of the other engineers at my company, and they've taken a liking to it as well.

It is very important that the fastener be constrained to the original hole, not one created by the pattern.  You might get away with an error here on a regular rectangular or circular pattern of holes, but a pattern that is irregular will produce strange, offset results if you start from the wrong hole.  Pay attention to that one little quirk, and otherwise this method works very well.

[MrSmithtastic]

Cheers, I'll definitely give it a shot.

It's definitely better than using a standard pattern, almost defeats the point of 3D modelling if you've got to change everything yourself all the time.