Creating Patterns of Entities
Use the Pattern command to create copies of specified entities in a linear matrix or circular pattern. The created entities inherit all properties of the original entities such as Layers, LineColors, LineStyles, and LineWeights.
To create a linear pattern:
- Click Modify > Pattern (or type Pattern).
- In the dialog box, click Select entities , select the entities to generate the pattern, and press Enter to complete the selection.
The dialog box disappears until your selection is complete. - Under Pattern type, select Linear.
- Under Settings:
- For Horizontal axis and Vertical axis, type the number of elements.
- For Spacing between elements on, define spacings between the elements and an angle for the pattern.
- Horizontal axis: Specifies the distance between columns. Click Select column offset to identify the offset using two points in the drawing. If the column offset is a negative value, columns are added to the left.
- Vertical axis: Specifies the distance between rows. Click Select row offset to identify the offset using two points in the drawing. If the row offset is a negative value, rows are added downward.
- Pattern angle: Specifies the angle to control how the copies are arranged. Click Select angle to specify the angle using the pointer.
- Click OK.
To create a circular pattern:
- Click Modify > Pattern (or type Pattern).
- In the dialog box, click Select entities , select the entities to generate the pattern, and press Enter to complete the selection.
The dialog box disappears until your selection is complete. - Under Pattern type, select Circular.
- Under Settings, set:
- Base pattern on
- Angle between if required. Angle between is the included angle between the base points of the pattern entities and the center of the pattern. Type a positive value or click Pick Angle between Items .
- Fill angle if required. Type a positive or negative value or click Pick Angle To Fill . The default for the angle to fill is 360° - a full circle pattern. A value of zero is not allowed. The pattern is drawn counterclockwise for positive angles and clockwise for negative angles.
- Total number if required. The number of items includes the original entity.
- Under Element base point, set:
- Use last entity selected: Uses the base point from the last item you selected.
- X and Y: Type values or click Pick Base Point .
- Under Axis point, for X and Y, type values for the center point of the pattern or click Pick Center Point .
- Select Orient elements about axis to rotate the entities as they are patterned, otherwise they maintain the alignment of the source entity.
- Click OK.
Access
Command: Pattern
Menu: Modify > Pattern