Modifying Associative Patterns

Entities within associative patterns retain their relationships. Associative patterns let you edit them in their entirety instead of changing the individual items in the pattern.

You can modify later associative patterns parameters, such as:

• The number of columns and rows (within a linear pattern)

• The number of elements (within a circular pattern)

• The source element of the pattern

• Replace one or more elements in the pattern with specified entities

To make patterns associative, activate the Associative option in the Settings section of the Pattern dialog box.

You can also edit associative patterns using specific EntityGrips and the Properties palette.

Use the EditPattern command to modify the shape and appearance of associative patterns.

To modify an associative pattern:

1. In the graphics area, specify an associative pattern and press Enter.

2. You can modify pattern parameters as follows:

   • Using the contextual ribbon. When the ribbon is active, the Pattern Editor contextual ribbon tab appears, with the tab that corresponds to the pattern type you selected (circular or linear).

   • Using pattern specific grip points. Grip points let you modify the pattern directly. Additionally, you can use the options available when you hover over grip points.

   • Using Properties palette.

   Alternatively, use the EditPattern command to display the Pattern dialog box. The Pattern dialog box opens with the tab that corresponds to the the pattern type you selected (circular or linear).

To modify the source entity of an associative pattern:

1. In the graphics area, specify an associative pattern and press Enter.

2. On the Options panel, click Edit source.

3. In the graphics area, click an element of the pattern.

4. Click OK to access the pattern editing mode.

5. Modify the source entity as necessary.

6. Save the changes and click Close (or use the ClosePattern command) to finish editing the pattern source entity.

To replace an element of an associative pattern:

1. Before starting draw the entities that will replace the elements in the pattern.

2. In the graphics area, specify an associative pattern and press Enter.

3. On the Options panel, click Replace elements.

4. In the graphics area, specify the replacement entities and press Enter.

5. Specify the base point for the replacement entities.

6. Specify pattern elements to be replaced.

7. Press Enter to finish.

To modify associative patterns using EntityGrips and the Properties palette:

1. Make sure that EntityGrips (EGrips) are enabled. Type EntitiyGrips to set EGrip options.

2. In the graphics area, select an associative pattern.

3. Use grip points to to modify the pattern.

Icon	EGrip	Description	Applies to
	Move	Moves the pattern	Applies to linear patterns
	Radius	Changes the base radius of the pattern	Applies to circular patterns
	Column count	Specifies the number of columns in the pattern	Applies to linear and circular patterns
	Row count	Specifies the number of rows in the pattern	Applies to linear and circular patterns
	Column spacing	Specifies the spacing between the elements of the columns in the pattern	Applies to linear and circular patterns
	Row spacing	Specifies the spacing between the rows of the columns in the pattern	Applies to linear and circular patterns
	Rotate	Changes the base radius of the pattern	Applies to circular patterns
	Number of elements	Changes the vertical or horizontal elements in the pattern	Applies to linear patterns
	Number of elements	Changes the polar elements in the pattern	Applies to circular patterns

The Properties palette is displayed at the same time. Modify the parameters for the specified associative pattern as needed.

Note: To undo the associativity of patterns, use the Explode command.

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Related Topics

Creating Patterns of Entities

«Pattern Editor» Contextual Ribbon Tab

Modifying Associative Pattern (EditPattern command)

Parent Topic

Copying and Mirroring Entities