Sketch-step and repeat-editing-Can I add geometry to the array?

[borsht]

I have a sketch on a part where I have centerlines, step and repeated. Now I want to add real geometry to that array. I right click on one of the centerlines, and hit edit step and repeat. It opens the step and repeat dialog box, and lets me change the number of repeats, but in the items to repeat window, the centerline is grayed out and I cant add anything. What am I doing wrong?

 

[SBaugh]

You can't change the sketch, nor add anything to it. You have to delete all the instances and start over. This needs to be enhanced, but the proper method maybe for you to use the Feature Pattern instead of the sketch pattern.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376

 

[JNR]

Also note that a another real deficiency with sketch patterns is that once the geometry is created, it is not fully defined. (It all shows up blue.) So it is REAL easy to inadvertenty move something by accidentally dragging it. You can apply some dimensions to fully define them, but it is a pain. When you do an offset you get a dimension to control the goemetry, so there is no reason they can't do the same thing with patterns. You could always edit the dimensions, if you wanted to modify some instances.

Scott is right- it's about time they upgraded this to a real tool, because it can be so useful. It is a bit half@$$ed right now. I know SW has a policy of getting some enhancements out early a limited form then collecting the feedback and updating it accordingly at the next rev. It seems unusual that they left something this basic in such a "raw" state for so long.

Having said that, he is also correct that in many cases patterning features is better. It all depends on what you are using the sketch pattern for. Things are so fast these days that it is difficult to say without testing, but there used to be a significant speed improvement using patterned features verses patterning in the sketch.

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