Creating radial patterns of objects

Use the radial pattern tool from the Sketcher toolbox to create a radial pattern of selected Sketcher objects. You can specify the following:

  • The number of copies to create in the radial pattern, including the selected objects. You can create a maxium of 1000 copies.

  • The total angle between the original objects and the last copy in the pattern.

  • The position of the center point of the circular pattern.

By default, Abaqus/CAE creates five copies around a complete circle (360°), and the center of the circle is located at the origin of the sketch. If you change the default settings, Abaqus/CAE retains those values while you work on the sketch. However, after you exit the Sketcher, Abaqus/CAE reverts to the original defaults. You cannot edit a pattern after you create it.

Related Topics
Copying sketch objects to create patterns
Modifying objects
Undoing and redoing sketching actions

  1. From the Sketcher toolbox, select the radial pattern tool . For a diagram of the tools in the Sketcher toolbox, see The Sketcher tools.

    Abaqus/CAE displays prompts in the prompt area to guide you through the procedure.

  2. Select the objects that you want to copy. Both sketch and construction geometry can be copied; reference geometry and dimensions cannot be copied.

    Tip: To select more than one object, hold down the Shift key as you click each object or drag a rectangle around the objects. To unselect an object, use CtrlClick. For more information, see Selecting objects within the viewport.”

  3. Click mouse button 2 to indicate that you have finished selecting objects.

    Abaqus/CAE displays the Create Radial Pattern dialog box.

  4. From the Create Radial Pattern dialog box, configure the radial pattern:

    1. Click the arrows to the right of Number to increase or decrease the number of copies to create, including the selected objects. The number of copies in the Sketch updates when you click the arrows and provides a preview of the setting.

      Alternatively, you can type in a number and press Enter to preview the setting. You can enter any number between 2 and 1000.

    2. Enter the Total angle between the original objects that you selected and the final copy. The angle must be between –360° and +360°. A positive angle corresponds to a counterclockwise direction.
    3. By default, the center point of the circular pattern is the origin of the sketch. Click Center to change the location of the center point, and select a point from the sketch to define the new center point.

  5. In most cases you will want to preview the radial pattern that Abaqus/CAE will create as you enter values in the Create Radial Pattern dialog box. However, if you choose to create a large number of copies, the preview capability may impact the performance of the Sketcher. In this case you should toggle off the Preview button.

  6. To copy more objects, repeat the above steps beginning with Step 2.

  7. When you have finished copying objects, do one of the following:

    • Click mouse button 2 anywhere in the Abaqus/CAE window.

    • Select any tool in the Sketcher toolbox.

    • Click the cancel button in the prompt area.