A Linear Pattern creates copies of the original mesh, placing each copy a certain translation away from the previous one along a straight line.
Uses
Create regular repeating structures from single components. Create a fence of many fenceposts from just one post. Create a wall from many boards. Create a pattern of holes in a metal sheet from just one hole.
Linear Pattern Feature Properties
Example 1
Example 2
| Property | Options |
|---|---|
Name |
A unique name for each feature is not required, but suggested. By naming a feature, you can then manipulate it during run-time with a scene rule. |
Pattern Translation |
A vector describing how each copy of the original geometry is placed relative to the previous one along the XYZ axes. For example, a mesh at [0,0,0] with a linear pattern translation of of [0,1,2] will have subsequent geometries centered on [0,1,2], [0,2,4], [0,3,6], etc. |
Pattern Count |
A whole number specifying the total number of times the original geometry should appear. |
(Compare with Circular Pattern).
A linear pattern with pattern translation at 1 unit along the x axis, and pattern count of 3. Keep in mind the space after each element (the translation). Here, the meshes show a fence of 3 posts, which seems to be 2 units long. However, remember the translation distance of the final element: the pattern is actually 3 units long.
Distribute meshes evenly along a line, leaving space at the end.
A scene contains a mesh called “Fence Post”, positioned at the origin. The Fence Post mesh has a linear pattern feature applied, called “Linear Pattern- Property Line”.
A related configurator has a field “f-FenceLength” to specify the length of the overall fence, and a field “f-PostSpacing” to specify the space separating the fenceposts along that length.
Calculate the number of fenceposts.
Use the “set feature” Snap block to set the translation and count of the pattern.
Since the linear pattern includes the space after each item in the translation, our fence may be missing the final fence post. Create a duplicate mesh, called “Fence Post-Last”, and always position it at the end of the fence.
Distribute meshes evenly along a line, with no space at the end.
A scene contains a mesh called “Fence Post”, positioned at the origin. The Fence Post mesh has a linear pattern feature applied, called “Linear Pattern- Property Line”.
A related configurator has a field “f-FenceLength” to specify the length of the overall fence, and a field “f-PostCount” to specify the number of fenceposts that should appear distributed throughout that length.
The linear pattern includes the space after each element. For our fence, we want the elements evenly distributed across the length specified, excluding the space after the final element. Perform some math to calculate how much extra space that last element would have.
Use the “set feature” Snap block to set the translation and count of the pattern.
