Still haven't got a perfect solution, but these are the two methods I've come up with so far: Method 1: 'edit definition' and convert an overbuilt grid pattern to a table pattern and then delete the outlyers manually from the table as they should lie in vaguely adjacent rows [pick the rows then edit > delete] - this should be quicker than creating all the instance coordinates. Method 2: I thought their should be a way to 'unpattern' a pattern and make the instances independent - this way you could again delete the outlyers Patterned a reference. Create a feature which is referenced only to the leader of the previous pattern, group it , and creat a reference pattern [to the previous pattern] of the group. The instances are then referenced to independent references - the original patterned reference. This then gives you the option under the right click menu to unpattern the reference pattern [this option is only available if you have grouped the instance and it is suitably referenced] - this collapses the pattern allowing you to delete individual groups. It might still take a little time to delete the outlyers relative to the boundary but still a reasonably quick workflow. Original problem; Imagine a chain mail - intersecting links. The X and Y pitch between the links IS NOT equal. I want the pattern to fill a planar area with an irregular boundary [the fill pattern functionality will only allow an equal xy pitch]. I can't simply cut a large 'square' area pattern down to size because I don't want any partial links on the perimeter. -- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sean Kerslake Dept. Design & Technology Loughborough University Loughborough LE11 3TU 01509 228317
