TIPS: Speed up the pattern regeneration time in Pro/ENGINEER

Version: Pro/E Wildfire, Wildfire2.0, Wildfire3.0, Wildfire4.0

Ever lost passion of waiting when you create a high number of instances in pattern? But, don’t make me wrong. Compare to other MCAD software, Pro/ENGINEER is one of the fastest systems in patterns regeneration.

Generally, pattern of 500 instances and below in Pro/ENGINEER is not an issue at all. You can easily get it done within 30 seconds (default- general). However, for pattern involve of a few thousands instances, the regeneration may take quite some time.

To optimize the regeneration time of pattern features, you can set the pattern options of Identical, Variable, and General depends on the requirement. Pattern options can be accessed from the pattern dashboard.

Identical – Pro/E calculate the instances by assuming that all the members are identical (same size and shape) and do not intersecting with the members and the part edge. Identical option can provide the fastest regeneration time compare to the rest.

Variable – The members in this pattern can be varying in size but not intersecting with the members and the part edge. Variable option regeneration time is a little bit longer compare to Identical but faster than the General option.

General – There are no limitation for this type of pattern. Pro/E assumes that all the members are varying in size and intersecting to each other. General option is the default option for pattern. This is the most robust but takes longer time to regenerate.

Quick Benchmark 1: Pattern of 500 cubes (extrude feature) in 2 direction (rectangular pattern) without varying in size and not intersecting to each other

   
Quick Benchmark 2: Pattern of 3000 cubes (extrude feature) in 2 direction (rectangular pattern) without varying in size and not intersecting to each other