Pattern Properties dialog

You can use the Pattern Properties dialog to create patterns from a single object.

To use the Pattern Properties dialog to create a Pattern:

1. Ensure the Pattern is selected in the Tree View on the left of the dialog.

   You can select items in the Tree View to display the pattern properties, the object properties, and the manufacturing operation properties.

2. On the Dimensions tab, you can modify the shape of the pattern using the Number, Spacing, Angle, and other properties. Optionally select Local Offset to create the pattern around the location of the original feature.
3. On the Location tab:
   • Relative Position — select to enter the coordinates of a point relative to the Local Coordinate System, deselect to enter the coordinates of a point relative to the World Coordinate System.
   • XYZ location — you can move the object to a new location. If the X Y Z coordinate position is (0,0,0), then the group's objects all remain in the same location at which they were independently defined.
   • For Polar location, Angle rotates the current group counter-clockwise from its X-axis location by the angle specified at the Radius specified.
4. On the Strategy tab:
   • If you want to use macros (also known as NC subroutines or subprograms) to reduce the size of the code created for the pattern, select Use macro calls for each instance in the pattern. This setting requires you to use a post that supports incremental programming or local coordinate systems.
   • If you are using macros, you can reduce calculation time by also selecting Reuse toolpaths from first Instance in the pattern. In this situation, toolpaths are only calculated for the first feature and reused for the subsequent features of the pattern.
5. Click OK to close the dialog.