Recommended tests
Use a simple recessed plate for Path mode and a round plate for Circular mode.
- Create an ordinary Push/Pull Join or Cut that can serve as the reusable feature.
- Choose Pattern in the 3D toolbar and select the seed.
- In Path, select a straight cap edge and compare Single edge, Connected chain, and Whole loop.
- Switch to Circular; the seed stays selected, while the incompatible path selection is cleared.
- Click an exact circular top or bottom rim, set the instance count and angle, then create the pattern.
01 · ONE PATTERN WORKFLOW
Choose Path or Circular in the same task card
The 3D toolbar has one Pattern command. Its Path and Circular tabs share seed selection, live Boolean preview, numeric scrubbing, validation, and creation controls. Switching tabs preserves the compatible seed but clears the previous path or axis reference so stale geometry cannot affect the new preview.
The resulting history feature remains named Path Pattern or Circular Pattern. These are separate associative definitions because a selected path and an angular axis require different parameters and rebuild rules.
02 · REUSABLE FEATURE
Choose one existing Join or Cut as the template
The seed must be an ordinary Push/Pull Join or Cut on a prismatic Extrude body. Its linked sketch supplies the exact profile; its operation, direction, and distance supply the material change and depth. Select the feature in 3D Objects before opening Pattern, or choose it from the shared Seed feature list.
While a pattern is active, Cadivari uses the original feature as the pattern template. Deleting or suppressing the pattern restores the seed unchanged in its authored position.
03 · PATH MODE
Pattern one edge or a connected chain or an entire loop
Choose Path, set the scope, then click a straight top or bottom cap edge on the seed body. Single edge patterns only the clicked edge. Connected chain starts from the first edge; click neighboring edges to extend the chain, or click a selected endpoint to remove it. Whole loop derives the complete closed perimeter from one edge.
Count places the requested number of instances at equal intervals on every selected edge. Spacing keeps the requested centre-to-centre distance exact and centres any unused length symmetrically. Corner margin protects an equal span at both ends before either distribution is calculated.
The selected path can belong to the base Extrude or to an earlier Push/Pull Join or Cut. Each selected edge remains a semantic history reference, so changing the source sketch rebuilds the instances.
04 · CIRCULAR MODE
Pattern around an exact circular rim
Choose Circular, then click a top or bottom rim created from one exact Circle entity on the same body. Cadivari uses the associated circle centre and plane normal as an infinite axis. The rim may come from the base Extrude or an earlier Join or Cut, but it cannot belong to the seed itself.
Instances is the total number of generated copies, including the seed position. Total angle controls the angular span, and Start angle rotates the complete distribution away from the authored seed. A full 360-degree pattern omits the duplicate endpoint; a partial pattern includes both ends of its span.
Rotate with pattern turns every profile around the axis and is normally best for radial slots, flange lugs, and outward-facing features. Keep orientation moves each profile centre around the orbit while preserving the original sketch orientation.
DIRECT NUMERIC ADJUSTMENT
Drag a field label to scrub its value
Hold the primary mouse button on a numeric label and drag horizontally. Dragging right increases the value and dragging left decreases it while the solid preview rebuilds live. Hold Shift for fine changes, or press Escape before releasing to restore the value from the start of the drag.
The input box remains a normal editable field for exact typed values. Path count, spacing, and margin plus Circular count and angle fields all use the same interaction.
ASSOCIATIVE HISTORY
Edit the sources or pattern values at any time
Path Pattern stores the seed, semantic edge references, scope, distribution, count, spacing, and margin. Circular Pattern stores the seed, semantic circular rim, count, total angle, start angle, and orientation. Select either feature in 3D Objects to edit its supported values. Editing a seed sketch, seed depth, path-source sketch, or axis Circle rebuilds all instances.
One seed can drive only one active Path or Circular Pattern. Cadivari prevents deleting a referenced seed or geometry source before its pattern. Legacy Perimeter Cut Pattern v1 features remain readable and resolve as Path mode with Whole loop scope and Count distribution.
FABRICATION OUTPUT
The evaluated solid is exported
Every instance passes through the same exact prismatic Boolean evaluator as an ordinary Push/Pull Join or Cut. Body splits, validated meshes, and 3MF export therefore receive the rebuilt solid rather than viewport-only copies.
CURRENT SCOPE
Guarded combinations
- Prismatic New Body Extrudes with cap-parallel Push/Pull Join or Cut seeds
- Path: Single edge, uninterrupted connected chain, or complete straight loop
- Path: source loops made only from connected Lines or one Rectangle
- Path: 1-32 Count instances, or at most 32 Spacing instances, per selected edge
- Circular: exact circular axes authored by one Circle entity on the same body
- Circular: 2-64 instances and total angles greater than zero and no more than 360 degrees
- Circular: Rotate-with-pattern and fixed-orientation modes
- One active Path or Circular Pattern per seed feature
- Curved Path edges, arbitrary construction axes, and patterned feature groups remain future extensions
- Mixed Shell, Chamfer, Fillet, Loft, or Revolve histories remain guarded by the current prismatic solid kernel