In today’s Autodesk Fusion 360 tutorial, we’re going to talk about how to use the circular pattern tool to create patterns along arcs inside of your models.
We talked in yesterday’s video about using the rectangular pattern tool to create copies of objects in a straight line.
This tool is similar to the Fusion 360 rectangular pattern tool, but it creates copies of objects along arcs instead. It works with both Sketch Geometry, as well as bodies, components, faces, and features.
To activate it inside of sketch mode, activate the tool by selecting it from the “create” dropdown. From here, you need to select 2 things – the object you’d like to copy, as well as the center point around which you’d like to make your copies.
Once you set your center point, you can set the number of copies around your circle you’d like to create either by typing a value, or by dragging the double arrow slider.
If you don’t want to copy around a full circle, you can select the option for type “angle” and set the angle along which you’d like to copy instead, or “symmetric” if you’d like to create copies along two arcs.
If you check the box for “suppress” you can also set if certain individual items will be created as well.
This tool also works outside of Sketch mode – you can use it to copy faces, bodies, components, and features along an arc. For example – let’s say you wanted to repeat a hole along an object in an arc – cut the hole once, then use the circular pattern tool in “feature” mode in order to copy the object along a central arc. This allows you to copy holes, ridges, or other adjustments you’ve created. You can also use it to copy bodies or other objects – simply select objects, select an axis, and copy!
That’s where I’m going to end today’s video. Leave a comment below and let me know what you thought! 😊
