Hi Sean,
Although the 2 methods you suggest would work, I wonder how easy it would
be to update the model if the boundary changes. Also deletting the pattern
of a group can cause frustration later. It really depends on the
complexity of your model.
I don't know the shape of the boundary or how many links you need to get
rid of after the pattern is created, but here's what I'd do... Create the
first link how ever you need it to work. Then create an 'extra' surface
from the solid link (create>surface>from solid). Group the link features
if you wish, though I don't think it's necessary. Then after the pattern
is created you can use the 'extra' surfaces to cut away the links you
don't want.
If you have a bunch to remove just cut away most of them using the
boundary and use the 'extra' surfaces to complete or remove the partial
links. You could also, depending on the shape of the boundary, have the
first link follow a curve. That may reduce the number of unnecessary
links.
Have a good one,
Dave
"Sean Kerslake" <s.p.kerslake@lboro.ac.uk> wrote in message
news:cmd4nj$ivr$1@sun-cc204.lut.ac.uk...
Still haven't got a perfect solution, but these are the two methods I've
come up with so far:
Method 1: 'edit definition' and
convert an overbuilt grid pattern to a table pattern and then delete the
outlyers manually from the table as they should lie in vaguely adjacent
rows
[pick the rows then edit > delete] - this should be quicker than creating
all
the instance coordinates.
Method 2: I thought their should be a way to 'unpattern' a pattern and
make
the instances
independent - this way you could again delete the outlyers
Patterned a reference.
Create a feature which is referenced only to the leader of the
previous pattern, group it , and creat a reference pattern [to the
previous
pattern] of the group.
The instances are then referenced to independent references - the
original
patterned reference.
This then gives you the option under the right click menu to unpattern
the
reference pattern [this option is only available if you have grouped the
instance and it is suitably referenced] - this collapses the pattern
allowing you to delete individual groups.
It might still take a little time to delete the outlyers relative to the
boundary but still a reasonably quick workflow.
Original problem;
Imagine a chain mail - intersecting links. The X and Y pitch between the
links IS NOT equal.
I want the pattern to fill a planar area with an irregular boundary [the
fill pattern functionality will only allow an equal xy pitch].
I can't simply cut a large 'square' area pattern down to size because I
don't want any partial links on the perimeter.
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sean Kerslake
Dept. Design & Technology
Loughborough University
Loughborough
LE11 3TU
01509 228317
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