Make the instance count selection, when creating patterns, an easier to use drop-down menu

[tstout9GFVP]

This is a time-saver, once implemented. It is not productive to be required to mouse-click on the number in the 'Column Count' field each and every time a person desires to change the instance count in a pattern of components or features. A drop-down menu for this field that increments in values of one would provide a nice solution, and much easier to use also.

[krupickaRZCS6]

ok

[tstout9GFVP]

@krupickaRZCS6  why the need to shoot down my idea? Either way, its an improvement over what we currently have. You could have at least up-voted it while placing a negative reply.

[krupickaRZCS6]

I'm sorry, I really didn't mean it that way

[jtylerbc]

How is a dropdown menu more efficient here than just typing the number?  For a single digit instance count, you're replacing a click and a keystroke with two clicks, which is basically equivalent.  But for larger patterns, you'd be replacing a click and some keystrokes with a click, scrolling through a long list, then a second click.

[tstout9GFVP]

Fair share of trolls on this site

[jtylerbc]

I don't know about @krupickaRZCS6 's intentions, but mine was a serious question.  Where I work it isn't uncommon for us to model large bolt patterns as feature patterns with double digit instance counts (36, 72, etc.).  Three digit ones come up occasionally.  We would then also use a component pattern to populate the hardware, so my issue with the idea includes both the feature and component pattern implementations.

If there were a few common options listed on the flyout menu, but you could still type in a number manually, I could see that being a helpful shortcut.  But if a dropdown list completely replaced the entry field, that would be a massive pain for large-count patterns, while achieving only a very small efficiency boost on small patterns. 

Whether it is overall a help or hindrance would depend on exactly how it was implemented.  As originally described (dropdown replaces entry field), I would not want this feature because of the extra time it would add for making large patterns.  If it was added as an additional shortcut while maintaining ability to directly enter a number, then I wouldn't use it much myself, but I wouldn't be opposed to it.  

[tstout9GFVP]

@jtylerbcThe drop down lists I have usually used allowed the user to simply click in the field and type a value if he/she so desired, so it would be easy to address the concern you have with the same idea I am suggesting.

[k.hendrickx]

@tstout9GFVP : a troll isn't the same as someone who disagrees with you 😉

As others mentioned, I don't really see the profit in embedding a dropdown selection for the number of occurrences...

I usually access it without any problems by using the tab (or shift+tab) key to navigate between the different boxes.

No mouse clicks required at all.

Also a very big issue that arises, how will you use formulas in this box from a dropdown?

In our case the number of occurrences is more often calculated then a fixed number.

[jtylerbc]

If you're still able to type in the field, then that should resolve both the large count issue I brought up, and the formula issue mentioned by @k.hendrickx.

I still probably wouldn't use it much, but that takes care of the practical concerns I had.