SOLIDWORKS 2017 What’s New: Bidirectional Circular Patterns – #SW2017

Bidirectional Circular Patterns

We have all managed to work with the pattern tools that we have been given. Sometimes this makes us think about the best position to start our features in order to create our desired output. Circular patterns have always been one of these areas that we all wish could be easier.

When creating a circular pattern, I may want a single instance at the top center of my arc.

I then want to pattern this geometry at a given angle down each side of the geometry. The only problem is that SOLIDWORKS will only let us start in one direction, and then requires us to define a second direction if we want to go in both directions.

Direction 2 allowed us to create instances in the other direction. The nice part of this was that we had independent control and the spacing did not have to match Direction 1.

The problem was that we did not have a means to Direction 1 and Direction 2 were the same.

New in SOLIDWORKS 2017 is the bidirectional pattern option for circular patterns. Underneath the options for Direction 2 is a check box for symmetric. This will lock the instances and the angles to be the same as Direction 1.

A subtle addition that gives you more control in your design.

I hope this part of the What’s New series gives you a better understanding of the new features and functions of SOLIDWORKS 2017. Please check back to the CATI Blog as the CATI and MCAD Support Teams will continue to break down many of the new items in SOLIDWORKS 2017. All of these articles will be stored in the category of “SOLIDWORKS What’s New.” You can also learn more about SOLIDWORKS 2017 by clicking on the image below to register for one of CATI’s or CATI’s Design Summits.

Bryan Pawlak
Sr. Application Engineer
Computer Aided Technology