You can pattern features across both planar and non-planar surfaces and vary the dimensions and references for each pattern instance. There are no restrictions on how many dimensions you can vary.
The software maintains the design intent of the patterned features. For example, an extrusion made normal to surface will be normal to that surface for each pattern instance.
With variable patterns, you use a table to store the dimensions and their values. In the table, you can:
- Copy and paste data from a spreadsheet or tab-separated source into the pattern table and vice versa.
- Use equations to vary pattern dimensions. The equations are solved when written and are not available for editing or reference.
| Functions Available for Pattern Table Equations |
|---|
| + |
Add |
| - |
Subtract |
| / |
Divide |
| * |
Multiply |
| ABS(X) |
Absolute value of X |
| COS(X) |
Cosine of X |
| EXP(X) |
e raised to the X power |
| INT(X) |
Integer portion of X |
| LOG(X) |
Log base 10 of X |
| PI |
Value of pi |
| SIN(X) |
Sine of X |
| SQRT(X) |
Positive square root of X |
| TAN(X) |
Tangent of X |
To create a variable pattern, you need the following:
- At least one feature to pattern
- A planar or non-planar surface
- At least one controlling dimension for each feature
Even if you do not want to vary a patterned feature, you still must choose a controlling dimension for that feature.
You can use reference geometry and sketches to control the physical geometry of the pattern. Click Reference Geometry to Drive Seeds 
and make selections in the graphics area.
To pattern a feature across a non-planar surface, the feature should contain at least one reference to that surface.
You can create variable patterns for the following features:
- Extrude/Cut Extrude
- Revolve/Cut Revolve
- Sweep/Cut Sweep
- Loft/Cut Loft
- Fillet
- Chamfer
- Dome
- Draft