How to use Freecad's Linear Pattern Tool

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 00:49 Using an additive feature
  • 02:17 Specifying the direction of the linear pattern
  • 03:17 Using a subtractive feature
  • 03:56 Using a pillar with a fillet
  • 04:38 Pillar with an integral fillet
  • 05:29 Using a boolean feature
  • 05:59 Practical Example - Shelf support holes in a book case side

The Linear Pattern Tool takes a feature and creates one or more copies along a axis. It is part of FreeCAD's Part Design Workbench.

You can use the Linear Pattern Tool to create one or more copies of a feature along a straight axis over a known distance. Examples of this include the rows of holes for shelf pins in the side of a bookcase, or a row of hooks for holding tools or clothing. The copies are evenly spaced along the length of the axis.

Important

The performance of the Linear Pattern Tool has not been optimised and is very slow when creating large numbers of copies. You would be better off considering the Draft array tool which is part of the Draft Workbench if you are dealing with large numbers of copies.

Available Options

  • Direction: This option specifies the axis along which the linear pattern is created.

  • Reverse direction: This option allows you to control which direction the linear pattern.

  • Length: This option allows you to specify the distance between the original feature and the last copy.

  • Occurrences: This option specifies the number of copies of the original feature that are copied along the axis. The number of occurrences includes the original feature.

Limitations

  • The Linear Pattern Tool does not allow you to create multiple solids. This is a limitation of the Part Design Workbench that affects all tools.

    Important

    The exception to this rule is where you are creating a row of pockets since a pocket does not create a solid.