Non linear pattern - featurescript needed?

frank_ring

I should generate a non-linear pattern where each distance is increased by a value (variable). E.g. first distance: 10 mm second distance 10+5, etc., where the "5" could be a variable. 

The result could look like this: 0 - 10 - 25 - 45 ....

Is there a featurescript which does the job?

NeilCooke

See second video here https://forum.onshape.com/discussion/2675/improvements-to-onshape-february-11th-2016/p1

alnis

@NeilCooke great video!

@frank_ring the short of it is that the second variable definitions are defined as #previous_value + some_number, so each time the feature is evaluated in the pattern, the variable is incremented. By including the variable update features in the pattern, the variables are changed on each "loop" through the previous features, driving the interesting spacing. Let me know if you'd like some more clarification!

mahir

There is Point Pattern. Drop sketch points in whatever random location you want patterned and feed the sketch into this FS. Parametric Sketch Pattern works similarly, but it will update the pattern when the driving sketch is updated.

alnis

You can pattern variables, so if you do something like:

1. Define variable(s)
2. Features depending on variable
3. Update variable(s) as a function of their values
4. Pattern features 2 and 3 with apply per instance enabled and zero distance

You can get the result you want. Alternatively, if you want a math function, I'll often define a variable of the number type and increment it by 1 each "loop," then having variable values calculated from the input. Here's an example showing how to do it with a face, feature, and part pattern:
https://cad.onshape.com/documents/b36835e0b8c5c0ae67603156/w/e055f55f4098317ec7891d23/e/af25df1e4390c6076a7062f8


To quote Thanos:

MichaelPascoe

How often would you need this feature?  If not very often, Mahir's solution is great. If you are doing this all the time, a custom feature could save lots of time.

@alnis_smidchens - Genius 
I did not know Onshape could do that!
 

frank_ring

Thank you, that are very helpful tips!

@alnis_smidchens - What is not clear to me is the process, how Onshape calculates the variables (circled in red) in the feature pattern.
Maybe you can explain it in this example.

NeilCooke

See second video here https://forum.onshape.com/discussion/2675/improvements-to-onshape-february-11th-2016/p1

alnis

@NeilCooke great video!

@frank_ring the short of it is that the second variable definitions are defined as #previous_value + some_number, so each time the feature is evaluated in the pattern, the variable is incremented. By including the variable update features in the pattern, the variables are changed on each "loop" through the previous features, driving the interesting spacing. Let me know if you'd like some more clarification!

frank_ring

Now everything is clear - thank's a lot for your explanations