Replicate selected parts, faces, or features along a sketch curve (or series of adjacent curves, edges on solid parts, and edges on wire parts) in the order of selection. Create new parts or modify existing parts by adding or removing material, or intersecting parts in its path. Curve pattern may also be used during an active sheet metal operation.

The Curve pattern feature patterns parts, other parametric features, and faces equally spaced, along a curve. The curve may be defined with 2D sketch entities such as splines, arcs, or circles, as well as entities in 3D space such as 3D curves or part edges.

For best results, create the curve starting on the part, feature, or face to be patterned. The path may be defined with several entities, as long as they connect from endpoint to endpoint. The entity being patterned and the path must be defined before the Curve pattern feature is used.

Select the Curve pattern from the Feature toolbar, and then select the entity type to pattern: a Part, Feature, or Face.

Choose Part pattern to define the pattern with additional instances of existing parts. As a reminder, only one of each unique part is needed in the Part Studio. When several instances of a part are required in a design, instance the part in an Assembly. This ensures the Bill of Materials is correct. Use the Part pattern option only when working in a tooling-part workflow, or when patterning surfaces. These workflows are explained in a future lesson.

Choose Feature pattern to define the pattern with features from the Features list. Check Reapply features to regenerate the features for each instance. Typically, you use this option when you need to apply the original feature's defined end type to all the patterned instances. Patterns that reapply features result in longer regeneration times, and should only be used when necessary.

Choose Face pattern to define the pattern with selected faces. When working with parts, the selected faces to pattern must apply to the same part as the original face.

In this example, the Part pattern is selected. In the Path to pattern along field, pick the curve, edges, or sketch entities to pattern along. Next, input the Instance count. This value includes the original seed being patterned. Onshape selects Equal spacing to space the number of instances evenly along the entire length of the selected path.

Check Skip instances to skip specific pattern instances. This is helpful when encountering conflicting geometry or when specific instances should be excluded from the pattern. Onshape displays a white dot outlined in gray for each instance. You can skip an instance by selecting its respective dot or using a box selection to select multiple instances to skip. The skipped instances are indicated with a light blue outline.

Check Keep orientation to align the instances in the same orientation as the seed. If the original entity that was patterned changes in some way, the instances rebuild to reflect that change.

  1. Click Curve pattern icon.

    Curve pattern dialog

  2. Select the pattern type:
    • Part - To pattern an individual part
    • Feature - To pattern a specific feature (or features) listed in the Feature list (an extrude, fillet, sweep, sketch, etc.). Note that Feature does not work for sheet metal; see the Face pattern type for sheet metal modifications.
    • Face - To pattern a specific face on a specific part
  3. Select a Result operation type:
    • New - Create new material that results in a new part
    • Add - Create new material and add to the existing material
    • Remove - Take material away from existing material
    • Intersect - Leave material only where geometry overlaps
  4. With focus on the Entities to pattern field, select entities to replicate into a pattern.

    When selecting Faces to pattern, the Create SelectionCreate Selection Arrow Icon is useful to select related faces.

  5. Set focus in the Path to pattern along field, and then select a sketch curve (or series of adjacent curves, edges on solid parts, and edges on wire parts) along which to place the replicated pattern entities.
  6. Select a spacing option:
    • Equal spacing - Evenly distribute the requested number of instances along the curve.
    • Distance - Set how much space is offset from each instance
  7. (Distance spacing only) Enter the space to offset each instance in the Distance field.
  8. Enter the number of instances you want the pattern to have.
    • The minimum number of instances you can use is 1.
    • You will see an error if the curve is not long enough to support the number of instances in the Distance specified. You can decrease the offset between instances, decrease the number of instances, switch to the Equal spacing option, or choose a longer curve.
  9. Select an orientation type:
    • Tangent to curve - Instances are tangent to the selected curve.
    • Normal to face - Instances are aligned parallel to the selected face.
    • Locked - Selected instances are locked in place.
  10. (If Lock faces is selected) Select faces to lock.
  11. Check the Skip instances option to specify instances of the pattern to skip:
    • Click the instance's selection handle to add it to the list of instances to skip.
    • Click the X next to the instance in the list to add it back to the Part Studio.
    • Click CLEAR to remove all instances from the Instances to skip list.
  12. (Feature pattern type only) Select Reapply features to regenerate the feature for each instance (specified in Instance count), in lieu of simply recreating the initial pattern instance.
  13. Click Accept checkmark icon.

Pattern an individual part.

A part was patterned along two adjacent sketch curves 10 times, creating new material:

example of a part patterned along two adjacent sketch curves 10 times, creating new material

Pattern a specific feature (or features) listed in the Feature list (an extrude, fillet, sweep, sketch, etc) without Reapply features selected (a faster, more lightweight feature pattern). This is not available for sheet metal.

In the following example, the initial extrude was Up to next (bringing the extrude up to the face of the surface). Without Reapply features selected, the features patterned (extrude and fillet) are patterned from the initial features and not regenerated (so the Up to next does not update for each instance of the pattern):

example of Up to next Extrude without Reapply features selected

Pattern a specific feature (or features) listed in the Feature list (an extrude, fillet, sweep, sketch, etc) with Reapply features selected. This is available for sheet metal.

In the following example, the initial extrude was Up to next (bringing the extrude up to the face of the surface). With Reapply features selected, the features patterned (extrude and fillet) are regenerated for each instance of the pattern so Up to next is applied to each instance of the pattern:

example of Up to next Extrude with Reapply features selected

Pattern a specific face on a specific part.

A face was patterned along one sketch curve 5 times to remove material from the existing material:

example of a face patterned along a sketch 5 times to remove material from the existing material

New - Create new material that results in a new part:

Curve Pattern: new material

Add - Create material and add to the existing material (in this instance, Merge with all was selected):

Curve Pattern: add material

Take material away; select the part to pattern and then Remove:

Curve Pattern: remove

Leave material only where geometry overlaps.

Before:

example of geometry before Curve Pattern intersect

After:

example of geometry after Curve Pattern intersect

  • When patterning a feature, you can select anything in the feature list, in any order. Regardless of the order selected, the features are applied in the order listed in the Feature list.
  • If you select a pattern in the Feature list, you will pattern that pattern, but not the seed. In order to get the seed included, select it as well.
  • When patterning a boolean feature (Boolean, Split, etc), you must also select the features the boolean was applied to.
  • When creating Feature patterns, all aspects of a feature are applied; for example, the end conditions in an extrude feature. (By contrast, Face patterns do not recognize these types of modifiers.)
  • You can individually delete any entities after the pattern is complete.
  • If you use more than one sketch curve (or edge on solid parts, or edge on wire parts) to direct your pattern and it does not result as expected, try selecting the sketch curves in a different order.

  • If Reapply features is enabled for the feature pattern, external references will regenerate automatically on a per-instance basis.

    In a sketch, the seed sketch dimensions and constraints to the origin or default plane will not be reapplied. You can use this behavior to scope which dimensions or constraints are reapplied within a pattern:

    • You can pattern sketch features that are dimensioned or constrained to the origin or default planes and choose not reapply those dimensions and constraints.
    • You can also create explicit construction sketches along the default planes or origin when reapplying features along them.

  • If Mate connectors are Part patterned in a Part Studio, they will all be added to the Assembly when the Part Studio is inserted. If you don't see your Mate connectors when the Part Studio is inserted into the Assembly, make sure the Part is listed as the Mate connector owner entity.
  1. Tap Curve Pattern tool.

    Curve Pattern tool icon

    Curve Pattern dialog

  2. Select the pattern type:
    • Part - To pattern an individual part
    • Feature - To pattern a specific feature (or features) listed in the Feature list (an extrude, fillet, sweep, sketch, etc.)
    • Face - To pattern a specific face on a specific part
  3. Select a Result body operation type:
    • New - Create new material that results in a new part
    • Add - Create new material and add to the existing material
    • Remove - Take material away from existing material
    • Intersect - Leave material only where geometry overlaps
  4. With focus on the Entities to pattern field, select entities to replicate into a pattern.
  5. Set focus on the Path to pattern along field, and then select a sketch curve (or series of adjacent curves, edges on solid bodies, and edges on wire bodies) along which to place the replicated pattern entities.
  6. Select a spacing type:
    • Equal spacing - Evenly distribute the requested number of instances along the curve.
    • Distance - Set how much space is offset from each instance
  7. (Distance spacing only) Enter the space to offset each instance in the Distance field.
  8. Enter the number of instances you want the pattern to have.
    • The minimum number of instances you can use is 1.
    • You will see an error if the curve is not long enough to support the number of instances in the Distance specified. You can decrease the offset between instances, decrease the number of instances, switch to the Equal spacing option, or choose a longer curve.
  9. Select an orientation type:
    • Tangent curve - Instances are tangent to the selected curve.
    • Normal to face - Instances are aligned parallel to the selected face.
    • Locked - Selected instances are locked in place.
  10. Optionally, toggle Skip instances and select the instances to skip. Double-tap an instance to add it back to the Part Studio.
  11. Tap the checkmark.

Pattern an individual part.

A part was patterned along two adjacent sketch curves 10 times, creating new material.

Example of a curve part pattern

Pattern a specific feature (or features) listed in the Feature list (an extrude, fillet, sweep, sketch, etc.).

An extrude feature was patterned along two adjacent sketch curves 15 times, adding to the existing material.

Example of a curve feature pattern

Pattern a specific face on a specific part.

A face was patterned along one sketch curve 5 times to remove material from the existing material.

Example of a curve face pattern

New - Create new material that results in a new part.

Example of a curve pattern new material

Add - Create material and add to the existing material (in this instance, Merge with all was selected).

Example of a curve pattern add material

Take material away; select the part to pattern and then Remove.

Example of curve pattern remove

Leave material only where geometry overlaps.

Before:

Example before a curve pattern intersect

After:

Example after a curve pattern intersect

  • When patterning a feature, you are able to select anything in the feature list, in any order. Regardless of the order selected, the features are applied in the order listed in the Feature list.
  • If you select a pattern in the Feature list, you will pattern that pattern, but not the seed. In order to get the seed included, select it as well.
  • When patterning a boolean feature (Boolean, Split, etc.), you must also select the features the boolean was applied to.
  • When creating Feature patterns, all aspects of a feature are applied; for example, the end conditions in an extrude feature. (By contrast, Face patterns do not recognize these types of modifiers.)
  • You can individually delete any entities after the pattern is complete.
  • If you use more than one sketch curve (or edge on solid bodies, or edge on wire bodies) to direct your pattern and it does not result as expected, try selecting the sketch curves in a different order.
  • If Reapply features is enabled for the feature pattern, external references will regenerate automatically on a per-instance basis. In a sketch, dimensions and constraints from the seed sketch to the origin or a default plane will not be reapplied.
  1. Tap Curve Pattern tool.

    Curve pattern tool icon

    Example of Curve pattern dialog

  2. Select the pattern type:
    • Part - To pattern an individual part
    • Feature - To pattern a specific feature (or features) listed in the Feature list (an extrude, fillet, sweep, sketch, etc.)
    • Face - To pattern a specific face on a specific part
  3. Select a Result body operation type:
    • New - Create new material that results in a new part
    • Add - Create new material and add to the existing material
    • Remove - Take material away from existing material
    • Intersect - Leave material only where geometry overlaps
  4. With focus on the Entities to pattern field, select entities to replicate into a pattern.
  5. Set focus on the Path to pattern along field, and then select a sketch curve (or series of adjacent curves, edges on solid bodies, and edges on wire bodies) along which to place the replicated pattern entities.
  6. Select a spacing option:
    • Equal spacing - Evenly distribute the requested number of instances along the curve.
    • Distance - Set how much space is offset from each instance
  7. (Distance spacing only) Enter the space to offset each instance in the Distance field.
  8. Enter the number of instances you want the pattern to have.
    • The minimum number of instances you can use is 1.
    • You will see an error if the curve is not long enough to support the number of instances in the Distance specified. You can decrease the offset between instances, decrease the number of instances, switch to the Equal spacing option, or choose a longer curve.
  9. Select an orientation type:
    • Tangent curve - Instances are tangent to the selected curve.
    • Normal to face - Instances are aligned parallel to the selected face.
    • Locked - Selected instances are locked in place.
  10. Optionally, toggle Skip instances and select the instances to skip. Double-tap an instance to add it back to the Part Studio.
  11. Tap the checkmark.

Pattern an individual part.

A part was patterned along two adjacent sketch curves 10 times, creating new material.

Example of curve part pattern

Pattern a specific feature (or features) listed in the Feature list (an extrude, fillet, sweep, sketch, etc.).

An extrude feature was patterned along two adjacent sketch curves 15 times, adding to the existing material.

Example of curve feature pattern

Pattern a specific face on a specific part.

A face was patterned along one sketch curve 5 times to remove material from the existing material.

Example of curve face pattern

New - Create new material that results in a new part.

Example of curve pattern: new material

Add - Create material and add to the existing material (in this instance, Merge with all was selected).

Example of curve pattern: add material

Take material away; select the part to pattern and then Remove.

Example of curve pattern: remove

Leave material only where geometry overlaps.

Before:

Example of curve pattern: intersect

After:

Example of curve pattern: intersect

  • When patterning a feature, you are able to select anything in the feature list, in any order. Regardless of the order selected, the features are applied in the order listed in the Feature list.
  • If you select a pattern in the Feature list, you will pattern that pattern, but not the seed. In order to get the seed included, select it as well.
  • When patterning a boolean feature (Boolean, Split, etc.), you must also select the features the boolean was applied to.
  • When creating Feature patterns, all aspects of a feature are applied; for example, the end conditions in an extrude feature. (By contrast, Face patterns do not recognize these types of modifiers.)
  • You can individually delete any entities after the pattern is complete.
  • If you use more than one sketch curve (or edge on solid bodies, or edge on wire bodies) to direct your pattern and it does not result as expected, try selecting the sketch curves in a different order.
  • If Reapply features is enabled for the feature pattern, external references will regenerate automatically on a per-instance basis. In a sketch, dimensions and constraints from the seed sketch to the origin or a default plane will not be reapplied.