Fill Pattern PropertyManager

The Fill Pattern PropertyManager appears when you create a fill pattern.

To open this PropertyManager:

Click Fill Pattern (Features toolbar) or Insert > Pattern/Mirror > Fill Pattern

Fill Boundary

pattern_fill_profile.png Fill Boundary Defines the area to fill with the pattern. Select sketches, planar curves on faces, a face, or co-planar faces. If you use a sketch for the boundary, you may need to select the pattern direction.

Pattern Layout

Determines the layout pattern of the instances within the fill boundary. Select a customizable shape to pattern, or pattern a feature. Pattern instances are laid out concentrically from the seed feature.
The pattern seed feature is located at the center of the fill boundary face unless you select a vertex or point to place the seed feature under Features to Pattern.
Perforation Creates a grid for a sheet metal perforation-style pattern.
Instance Spacing Sets the distance between the centers of instances.
Stagger Angle Sets the stagger angle between rows of instances, starting at the vector used for pattern direction.
Margins Sets the margin between the fill boundary and the outermost instance. You can set a value of zero for margins.
Pattern Direction Sets the direction reference. If you do not specify a reference, the system uses the most appropriate reference (for example, the longest linear edge of the selected region).
Number of Instances Calculates the number of instances in the pattern based on your specifications. You cannot edit this number. The value displays in red before it is validated.
  Validate Count Validates that each of the instances counted for Number of Instances affects model geometry. For example, a pattern may overrun the Fill Boundary pattern_fill_profile.png, creating some instances that do not intersect the model. Validate Count excludes these extra instances.
Circular Creates a circular-shaped pattern.
Loop Spacing Sets the distance between loops of instances (using centers).
  Target spacing Fills the area using Loop Spacing to set the distance between instances within each loop (using centers). Actual spacing can vary for each loop so instances fit evenly. Clears Number of Instances .
  Instances per loop Fills the area using Number of Instances (per loop). Deactivates Instance Spacing .
Instance Spacing Sets the distance between centers of instances within each loop. Deactivates Number of Instances .
Number of Instances Sets the number of instances per loop.
Margins Sets the margin between the fill boundary and the outermost instance. You can set a value of zero for margins.
Pattern Direction Sets the direction reference. If you do not specify a reference, the system uses the most appropriate reference (for example, the longest linear edge of the selected region).
Number of Instances Calculates the number of instances in the pattern based on your specifications. You cannot edit this number. The value displays in red before it is validated.
  Validate Count Validates that each of the instances counted for Number of Instances affects model geometry. For example, a pattern may overrun the Fill Boundary pattern_fill_profile.png, creating some instances that do not intersect the model. Validate Count excludes these extra instances.
Square Creates a square-shaped pattern.
Loop Spacing Sets the distance between loops of instances (using centers).
  Target spacing Fills the area using Instance Spacing to set the distance between instances within each loop (using centers). Actual spacing can vary for each loop so instances fit evenly. Clears Number of Instances .
  Instances per side Fills the area using Number of Instances (per side of each square). Deactivates Instance Spacing .
Instance Spacing Sets the distance between centers of instances within each loop. Deactivates Number of Instances .
Number of Instances Sets the number of instances per side of each square.
Margins Sets the margin between the fill boundary and the outermost instance. You can set a value of zero for margins.
Pattern Direction Sets the direction reference. If you do not specify a reference, the system uses the most appropriate reference (for example, the longest linear edge of the selected region).
Number of Instances Calculates the number of instances in the pattern based on your specifications. You cannot edit this number. The value displays in red before it is validated.
  Validate Count Validates that each of the instances counted for Number of Instances affects model geometry. For example, a pattern may overrun the Fill Boundary pattern_fill_profile.png, creating some instances that do not intersect the model. Validate Count excludes these extra instances.
Polygon Creates a polygonal-shaped pattern.
Loop Spacing Sets the distance between loops of instances (using centers).
poly_num.png Polygon Sides Sets the number of sides in the pattern.
  Target spacing Fills the area using Instance Spacing to set the distance between instances within each loop (using centers). Actual spacing can vary for each loop so instances fit evenly. Clears Number of Instances .
  Instances per side Fills the area using Number of Instances (per side of each polygon). Deactivates Instance Spacing .
Instance Spacing Sets the distance between centers of instances within each loop. Deactivates Number of Instances .
Number of Instances Sets the number of instances per side of each polygon.
Margins Sets the margin between the fill boundary and the outermost instance. You can set a value of zero for margins.
Pattern Direction Sets the direction reference. If you do not specify a reference, the system uses the most appropriate reference (for example, the longest linear edge of the selected region).
Number of Instances Calculates the number of instances in the pattern based on your specifications. You cannot edit this number. The value displays in red before it is validated.
  Validate Count Validates that each of the instances counted for Number of Instances affects model geometry. For example, a pattern may overrun the Fill Boundary pattern_fill_profile.png, creating some instances that do not intersect the model. Validate Count excludes these extra instances.

Features to Pattern

Determines the layout pattern of the instances within the fill boundary. Select a customizable shape to pattern, or pattern a feature. Pattern instances are laid out concentrically from the seed feature.
The pattern seed feature is located at the center of the fill boundary face unless you select a vertex or point to place the seed feature under Features to Pattern.
Selected features Select a feature to pattern in Features to Pattern .
Create seed cut Customize a cut shape for the seed feature to pattern.
Flip Shape Direction Reverses the direction of the seed feature about the face selected in Fill Boundary.
Circle Creates a circular cut as the seed feature.
Diameter Sets the diameter.
Vertex or Sketch Point Locates the center of the seed feature at the selected vertex or sketch point and creates the pattern starting from this point. If you leave this box empty, the pattern is centered on the fill boundary face.
Square Creates a square cut as the seed feature.
Dimension Sets the length of the sides.
Vertex or Sketch Point Locates the center of the seed feature at the selected vertex or sketch point and creates the pattern starting from this point. If you leave this box empty, the pattern is centered on the fill boundary face.
dim_ang_a.png Rotation Rotates each instance counterclockwise by this value.
Diamond Creates a diamond cut as the seed feature.
Dimension Sets the length of the sides.
Diagonal Sets the length of the diagonal.
Vertex or Sketch Point Locates the center of the seed feature at the selected vertex or sketch point and creates the pattern starting from this point. If you leave this box empty, the pattern is centered on the fill boundary face.
dim_ang_a.png Rotation Rotates each instance counterclockwise by this value.
Polygon Creates a polygon cut as the seed feature.
poly_num.png Polygon Sides Sets the number of sides.
Outer Radius Sets the size based on the outer radius.
poly_in.png Inner Radius Sets the size based on the inner radius.
Vertex or Sketch Point Locates the center of the seed feature at the selected vertex or sketch point and creates the pattern starting from this point. If you leave this box empty, the pattern is centered on the fill boundary face.
dim_ang_a.png Rotation Rotates each instance counterclockwise by this value.

Faces to Pattern

select_face_planar.png Faces to Pattern Select faces to pattern. The faces must form a closed body that contacts the fill boundary face.

Bodies to Pattern

Solid/Surface Bodies to Pattern Select solid and surface bodies to pattern.

Instances to Skip

Instances to Skip Select each pattern instance to skip in the graphics area. Selected instances are removed from the pattern.

Options

Geometry pattern Creates the pattern using an exact copy of the seed feature. Individual instances of the seed feature are not solved; end conditions and calculations are ignored. The Geometry Pattern option speeds up the creation and rebuilding of a pattern.
You cannot create geometry patterns of features that have faces merged with the rest of the part.
Propagate Visual Properties Propagates SOLIDWORKS colors, textures, and cosmetic thread data to all pattern instances.