Creo Elements/Direct Modeling allows you to create patterns of Creo Elements/Direct Machining features, Creo Elements/Direct Mold Design features, or face set features or parts.
The following pattern types are available:
Linear
A single row of features.
Linear Grid
Two or more rows of features.
Radial
Any number of features arranged around an axis.
Radial Grid
Two or more rows of features arranged around an axis. Can also be arranged in a star pattern (not shown).
Free
Any number of features arranged in any position.
You can alter any of these patterns by excluding elements. Modify a pattern to include a previously excluded element.
Features in a pattern are shared from the source feature. If you change any of the features in the pattern, such as a hole diameter, all the features change if the change is propagated to the pattern. For parts, the changes to a shared geometry are automatically propagated to all shared geometries. If you change only one feature, it is unshared but remains part of the pattern. Your changes to the features are preserved if you change the pattern. Unshared features are displayed in blue in the structure browser when you modify the pattern. An unshared feature is in a state called isolated valid. Move the cursor over a feature to view its state.
Features in a pattern can also be offset, like a radial pattern of holes with an index hole that is slightly outside of the radius. To offset a feature, use the Modify (Custom Feature) command on the Feature tab of the Creo Elements/Direct Modeling ribbon and change the feature's center point, but don't propagate this change to the pattern. If you propagate the change, the pattern is adjusted according to the offset. Offset features, which are in the offset valid state, are displayed in cyan in the structure browser when you modify a feature. An invalid feature is displayed in red in the structure browser.
Within the pattern preview, the features are colored within the viewport as follows:
• Excluded: Magenta
• Shared: Green
• Isolated: Blue
• Offset: Cyan
If you save an enhanced pattern (of parts and features) in a version of Creo Elements/Direct Modeling that does not support enhanced patterns, the patterns are removed but the reference elements remain with the model. If you save a pattern of only parts in a version of Creo Elements/Direct Modeling that does not support enhanced patterns, remove the part reference. Patterns are automatically converted when you open older files or when you save as an older version. When you open the file in an older version of Creo Elements/Direct Modeling, excluded features will reappear if you modify the pattern.
The reference elements (features and parts) of a pattern can belong to different parts. A pattern looks for and builds itself under the lowest common owner. This is required for the pattern to manage its relationship with all the reference elements.
A pattern is defined by the following elements:
• Cloning: In a pattern, all elements are shares or clones of an original source part. All the elements must be situated below the pattern in the Structure Browser. The pattern chooses a lowest common owner, which cannot be changed by the user or the system.
• Group: The example below shows the structure of a pattern in the structure browser along with the object in the viewport. In the example below, the pattern belongs to "/a1" with its source features (ThreadedHoles and Breakthroughs) owned by "/a1/p1" and "/a1/p2". The pattern also shares elements of parts nut, screw, and washer. The group (grp0) is a visual representation of all reference elements which belong together.
