NX Expressions: Clever Variational Patterning Technique for Text [NX1953]

I was recently asked a question about patterning text and varying the text at each pattern instance. The simplest example of this is a ruler, with number labels incrementing along the length of the ruler. A more complex example is strings arrayed in a circular pattern around a dial. I'll confess that I scratched my head for a while on this one until I got a hot tip from one of our NX developers, Vineet Mokashi. (Gotta give credit where credit is due!) Vineet suggested a really clever technique to make this work, and that's what this video is all about. This is one of my longest videos yet, but if you've ever wondered how to model a ruler, or really interesting dial or knob with radial labels, check this one out!

[@newagemuscle2010ss]

Great video. I've watched many of your videos in the past. I've been on the software for about 28 years. I'm also a former Siemens employee and have been an instructor and developer for the past 25 years. I love this software and I'm always trying to watch other people's stuff to just get examples on different demos. You've definitely been a helping hand along the way. Keep up the good work.

[@taylorandersonnxvideos]

Thanks! I appreciate your kind comment!

[@arockiarajaro2324]

Please keep upload advanced expression video like this.. I am working in nx model automation.It very useful for me.

[@getvineet]

Great demo

[@taylorandersonnxvideos]

Thank you, Vinit!

[@nikolaypetrov9726]

Well, I don't even have the pattern increment option when I try to create the pattern feature... NX 1926. Some help here would be great! How to enable the pattern increment if possible...

[@taylorandersonnxvideos]

You may be looking at the Pattern Feature dialog in the "Less" state. Look for a tiny arrow pointing downward at the bottom center of the dialog, just above the OK, APPLY, and CANCEL buttons. This should expand the dialog downward and reveal some extra options for you. Alternately, the "gear" icon in the upper left corner of the dialog should similarly have a "Pattern Feature (More)" option that will similarly reveal more options. Does that help?

[@adsplm5805]

Thanks Taylor on the Ruler if the pattern distance change other than 1 for example 2 how do you resolve the text display using the same labels

[@taylorandersonnxvideos]

So, if the spacing is different, then you'd certainly need different labels, right? :-) You could either use the explicit list technique like in the first example, or introduce a multiple in the "format" technique shown second on the ruler. Hopefully that makes sense!

[@nickpunch9661]

Im completely lost with expressions and your video as well. Im trying to do a variational pattern varying the size of an extrude (through a dimensioned check). What do you think I need to do to accomplish this. Do I need to learn expressions?

[@taylorandersonnxvideos]

You'll definitely need to understand Expressions, but the key will be the Pattern Increment described in this video. Best of luck!

[@adamdangelo3213]

Does this still work on NX13? I'm trying to do this and I feel like I've copied what you've done correctly and they're all still the same number. The point moves and the expression works if I add +1, but the number is the same. Do patterns no longer use the iterations of values? I also think it would be helpful to see your settings for the text feature...

[@taylorandersonnxvideos]

The key may be the formula for the String expression in the Text feature -- using the incremented point position to *also* increment the index of the selection from the list of labels. The explanation of this starts at 6:00 in this video. Does that help?

[@adamdangelo3213]

@@taylorandersonnxvideos That worked, thank you very much!