Pattern to Reference / Loop Pattern Tool

[danny.lewisA9QBW]

I've found a few other forum ideas around this from a years ago, but Id like to bring up again and maybe add more clarity to the request. There are some fairly decent work arounds, but if you look through the examples (Solved: Pattern Feature around closed loop - Autodesk Community) it's not very straightforward.

What I would requesting would be a 'SIMPLE' command to do the patterning by closed-loop reference. It appears that all the pieces are there in some way or another, so the thing that's missing is a simple tool and interface to be able to execute the operation.

Ideally; you'd have a feature or hole; you'd select a 'pattern to reference' command and it would then try to put your selected number of occurrences onto the reference geometry (spline, closed loop, edge, 3d line, etc.) or have a set distance between centers to use and qty of occurrences. If you can bring in some of the latest pattern capabilities and have the occurrences limited by "once around the loop",  "end at loop", or "add irregular instance" then I think it would very powerful command.

I'd see this being used all over the place for irregular flanges, chains (finally), and other sorts or curve following pattern tools.

This posting appears to match what I'm requesting the most
Optimized Feature Pattern (Fit Pattern) - Autodesk Community

[kacper.suchomski]

Hi

Well, I'm not sure I can solve all your problems, but I think this post cries out for education, not product development.

Patterning of both solids and components within closed loops is available.

Patterns can be created not only on flat loops but also on bent loops, for example.

I can create such a pattern in both ipt (bodies) and iam (componnets) files:

Of course, it requires some work to define the inputs, but it takes the lower few minutes.

It's important to remember that parametric software doesn't read minds; it merely processes hard data sets according to the tools' established algorithms.

Therefore, it's important to familiarize yourself with these tools and focus on delivering the data.

If you want to know the solution to a specific problem or a workflow dedicated to a specific case, create a query on the forum:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-forum/bd-p/inventor-forum-en

Experts will review your case study and propose solutions.

At the same time, I completely disagree with your optimism about the future of chain modeling (or your current pessimism).

Chains are geometrically much more difficult than they first appear. Their geometry and kinematics are highly complex and hold many secrets that are only revealed during the modeling process.

At the same time, it's possible. Right now.

However, this requires deepening specialized knowledge in this area and applying this knowledge to the modeling process.

First - mathematical nature of the chain; second - use of Inventor.

Inventor allows for this, but... you need to provide it with the appropriate data.

Good luck!

[danny.lewisA9QBW]

1. You're response was possibly the most arrogant and condescending response I have ever seen. I too know how a chain should be modeled; try to get off your high horse before you belittle the suggestions of others. If you don't think it has merit; keep it to yourself!

2. I was specifically requesting a more simplified method (within the sketching tools; not the solid patterning tools) since it seems to be a common problem. I KNOW that there's ways to do it now {see images below}, but they're cumbersome and most people would struggle to know they even exist; I even mentioned as such in the original post {see below}. Since all the pieces are already available; I'm not asking the software to start reading out minds, I'm requesting that a very standardized activity, such as patterning a sketch around a closed loop, could be presented in a more streamlined and intuitive fashion; which Inventor teams usually tries to accommodate when possible.

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@danny.lewisA9QBW wrote:

What I would requesting would be a 'SIMPLE' command to do the patterning by closed-loop reference. It appears that all the pieces are there in some way or another, so the thing that's missing is a simple tool and interface to be able to execute the operation.

Ideally; you'd have a feature or hole; you'd select a 'pattern to reference' command and it would then try to put your selected number of occurrences onto the reference geometry (spline, closed loop, edge, 3d line, etc.) or have a set distance between centers to use and qty of occurrences. If you can bring in some of the latest pattern capabilities and have the occurrences limited by "once around the loop",  "end at loop", or "add irregular instance" then I think it would very powerful command.

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