is it possible to make a circular number pattern? ie. a dial face.

Grompy989

I'm trying to make a 2 digit counter.  I have the design the way I want it, however I dont know how to make a circular pattern of numbers from 0-9.   Is this possible ??

MichaelPascoe

@johnathan_oey872, I looked at the history of your document and copied it back where you gave it a try; you got very close!

Here are the things I changed to fix it:

• Text implicit mate location.
• Transform angle to 360 / #qty * #count.
• Transform axis.
• Pattern qty to use the variable #qty.

https://cad.onshape.com/documents/11be8f315519c158facf43ad/w/67b4d0efd161e70caadc0944/e/1fe09e3fc77596c4f4f4b5e0?renderMode=0&uiState=63ef74bf708b0b77c6bacd19

MichaelPascoe

Hi @johnathan_oey872, yes this is possible. Try something like this:

• Create an axis sketch.
• Create the variable #qty = 10
• Create the variable #count = -1. The reason we do this, is that the count variable has to start somewhere. This is setting the variable "count" to -1.
• Create another variable #count = #count + 1. The reason we do this, is that the instance pattern is going to pattern the second count variable feature. Each time it patterns "count", it is changing itself by +1.
• Use a custom feature that allows you to create text based on a variable. I used the custom feature Text. Remember to click the small arrow that allows you to use expressions as text so that you can use the variable as the text.
• Transform rotate the number around the axis sketch. Make sure the rotation angle is set to 360 / #qty * 2
• Circular pattern the number. Make sure you set this to "Feature pattern" pattern and check "Apply per instance". Set the pattern qty to #qty.

https://cad.onshape.com/documents/aff472c3def984252e6e3fb4/w/3c972d6084bec1d9fd09e0cb/e/3b478643451b24a022e46761?renderMode=0&uiState=63ecfc75cafbc56a9ebe3a33

Grompy989

holy hell batman, you even made a video too... thanks for the info.. however the rotation isn't in the correct orientation, and the numbers are not flat to a surface.  

think of a coin.  I need the numbers to go around the face of the coin.  and be 0-9 not 1-9.  

but this vid definitely will be useful for another project

Grompy989

thanks for the info.. I attempted to follow your directions. it did not work. 

MichaelPascoe

Sure thing @johnathan_oey872. This technique is a difficult one to do. Feel free to share a link to your document and I will take a look. From here, the simplest way to pattern it flat will be to change the orientation of the number.


To re-orient the number you will need to edit the in context mate connector that determines the text location do this:

• Edit the Text feature.
• Click the very small mate button to edit that implicit mate.
  
• Change the origin of the mate to the start of the axis line.
• Set Z to 0.
• Set Y to whatever you want.

https://cad.onshape.com/documents/aff472c3def984252e6e3fb4/w/3c972d6084bec1d9fd09e0cb/e/2e0fafe2ffeea1699f698760?renderMode=0&uiState=63ee297b8f9af21504b6b4f1

eric_pesty

You could also add a "rotation" transform (rotating by -360/#count) to have all the digits facing "up" if desired.

Grompy989

https://cad.onshape.com/documents/b5d6c6d7be0f84a102335ea8/w/38544d24b279b8dbcff63f4b/e/231f4e13444f29e96ae9c37d

heres the link to my project

MichaelPascoe

@johnathan_oey872, I looked at the history of your document and copied it back where you gave it a try; you got very close!

Here are the things I changed to fix it:

• Text implicit mate location.
• Transform angle to 360 / #qty * #count.
• Transform axis.
• Pattern qty to use the variable #qty.

https://cad.onshape.com/documents/11be8f315519c158facf43ad/w/67b4d0efd161e70caadc0944/e/1fe09e3fc77596c4f4f4b5e0?renderMode=0&uiState=63ef74bf708b0b77c6bacd19

Grompy989

FINALLY !!  LOL thanks for the help... Its working now... But now, how do make them look like they are engraved, not raised !

dirk_van_der_vaart

Adjust the Z axis in the transform so that the number's in a bit in the green circle and than Boolean substract

MichaelPascoe

@johnathan_oey872, adjust the implicit mate connector location inside the Text feature. Bring it down in the Z; then, after the pattern, use Boolean subtract like Dirk mentioned.

Grompy989

attempted the boolean subtract. It did not work. 

edited text

Z height direction to opposite

selected each "part" for each number

right clicked

clicked boolean/subtract

failed to regenerate

what am i missing

Grompy989

Figured it out by dumb luck....

I needed to click the "Targets" button and select the part to change in the boolean / subtract section..