Irregular Pattern Distribution Support in Autodesk Inventor 2027 API

The Autodesk Inventor 2027 API introduces a powerful enhancement that significantly improves flexibility in pattern feature creation. With the introduction of the IrregularDistributionSet object, developers can now define non-uniform spacing between pattern occurrences, enabling far more advanced and intelligent automation scenarios.

Traditionally, pattern features in Inventor rely on uniform spacing. While effective for standard designs, this approach can be limiting when engineering requirements demand variable or calculated spacing. The new API enhancement removes this restriction.

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Introducing the IrregularDistributionSet Object

The IrregularDistributionSet object allows developers to define custom spacing values between pattern instances instead of relying on equal distribution.

This capability is exposed through the following API properties:

' Irregular Distribution Support in Inventor 2027 API

' Rectangular Pattern - X Direction
RectangularPatternFeatureDefinition.XDirectionIrregularDistributionSet

' Rectangular Pattern - Y Direction
RectangularPatternFeatureDefinition.YDirectionIrregularDistributionSet

' Circular Pattern - Angular Distribution
CircularPatternFeatureDefinition.IrregularDistributionSet

These properties enable precise control over how pattern elements are distributed along rectangular and circular directions.

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Support for Rectangular and Circular Patterns

Rectangular Patterns

For rectangular patterns, irregular spacing can now be defined independently along both X and Y directions. This provides a high level of flexibility in controlling pattern layout.

• X Direction: RectangularPatternFeatureDefinition.XDirectionIrregularDistributionSet
• Y Direction: RectangularPatternFeatureDefinition.YDirectionIrregularDistributionSet

This enables developers to create patterns where spacing varies dynamically along one or both axes, supporting complex engineering requirements.

Circular Patterns

For circular patterns, irregular distribution is supported through:

• CircularPatternFeatureDefinition.IrregularDistributionSet

This allows developers to define custom angular spacing between instances instead of equal angular distribution around a center point.

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Key Benefits for API Developers

The introduction of IrregularDistributionSet brings several important advantages:

• Greater design flexibility with non-uniform pattern spacing
• Enhanced automation for complex pattern generation
• Improved support for rule-based and parametric design workflows
• More precise control over pattern placement in custom add-ins

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Example Use Cases

This capability is especially useful in advanced engineering and automation scenarios such as:

• Engineering-driven spacing requirements
• Non-uniform hole or feature distributions
• Patterns driven by mathematical calculations or optimization algorithms
• Designs based on external datasets or manufacturing constraints

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Conclusion

The introduction of the IrregularDistributionSet object in Autodesk Inventor 2027 significantly expands the capabilities of pattern feature automation. Developers can now create both rectangular and circular patterns with irregular spacing directly through the API, enabling far more advanced and flexible design workflows.

This enhancement is particularly valuable for developers building custom Inventor add-ins, automation tools, and parametric design systems, where traditional uniform patterns are no longer sufficient.