# Using a formula in a pattern

**URL:** <https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/using-a-formula-in-a-pattern/37044>\
**Category:** Modeling Questions\
**Created:** [March 15, 2025, 10:45pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/using-a-formula-in-a-pattern/37044 "2025-03-15T22:45:57Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mruseless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8c91f0/32.png) [@mruseless](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/mruseless)\
**Post date:** [March 15, 2025, 10:45pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/using-a-formula-in-a-pattern/37044/1 "2025-03-15T22:45:57Z")

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Hello all,  
Is there a way to use a formula in a pattern in a Sketch?  
I’ve been able to use formulas in the Pattern tool when working with bodies, but can it be used in a sketch?

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**Author:** ![PEC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/67e7ee/32.png) [@PEC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/PEC)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2025, 10:38am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/using-a-formula-in-a-pattern/37044/2 "2025-03-16T10:38:42Z")

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Hi @mruseless  
This is not available at present as far as I know.

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**Author:** ![mruseless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8c91f0/32.png) [@mruseless](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/mruseless)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2025, 12:56pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/using-a-formula-in-a-pattern/37044/3 "2025-03-16T12:56:21Z")

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Ok thanks. One thing I’ve always struggled with is how much to put in a sketch vs. manipulation of 3D bodies. I make furniture, and the temptation is to create a detailed sketch of, for example, a front elevation, then extrude most of the parts from the front view sketch. But I’m finding this is not the most efficient way sometimes. I’m (slowly) learning that I shouldn’t sketch the same part twice. But my brain really wants to make the sketches more complete.

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**Author:** ![TheBum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@TheBum](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/TheBum)\
**Post date:** [March 16, 2025, 9:29pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/using-a-formula-in-a-pattern/37044/4 "2025-03-16T21:29:33Z")

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Sketches aren’t handled the same way as bodies from a parametric history standpoint. There is no construction history for a sketch, so that’s likely why you can’t do it. It’s the same reason you cannot edit text after it’s generated.

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**Author:** ![mruseless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8c91f0/32.png) [@mruseless](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/mruseless)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2025, 1:02pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/using-a-formula-in-a-pattern/37044/5 "2025-03-17T13:02:24Z")

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Good point, thank you.

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**Author:** ![Sheridan3D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a698b9/32.png) [@Sheridan3D](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Sheridan3D)\
**Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 11:52pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/using-a-formula-in-a-pattern/37044/6 "2025-04-14T23:52:09Z")

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Except that - unlike after adding text, you can actually edit the Pattern’s paramters.  
So - since the parameters of the pattern _are_ editable, it makes no sense that Variables can not be used in the pattern tool/command. The UI shows that variables are available, but then if you attempt to use them it complains that they are not supported. Guessing because there is only one number/formula control and it just always shows variables now? I would also really love to have the ability to use variables with the pattern tool - its great for setting up grids and calculating spacing and quantity, and being able to tweak these easily w/out having to dig into the sketch itself and finding those details. It really feels like a miss on the feature set to me.

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**Author:** ![SCALEMODEL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@SCALEMODEL](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/SCALEMODEL)\
**Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 8:24am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/using-a-formula-in-a-pattern/37044/7 "2025-04-15T08:24:40Z")

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Had similar thought as well.

I made a feature request.

> [@Variables in the pattern tool and variables carry over to the pattern also would be nice to have variables in the polygon tool](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/variables-in-the-pattern-tool-and-variables-carry-over-to-the-pattern-also-would-be-nice-to-have-variables-in-the-polygon-tool/37483):
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> The problem that this feature will solve: Pattern tool should let you input variables. Also if the original sketch has variables that should carry over to the pattern. I use polygon tool as a guide to create patterns would love to add variables to the amount of sides I want to create. Brief description of the outcomes that you expect from this feature: Save time by using variables, but variables are missing in these key areas. Is this a workflow blocker for you? Is this why you can’t use S…

Reported what I think is a bug that lets you input variable in the pattern but it does not apply.

> [@Sketch Pattern Variable Bug?](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/sketch-pattern-variable-bug/37186):
>
> I assumed Sketch Pattern didn’t have variables but sketch pattern has variables? When you use Sketch Pattern the first time variable symbol is missing. But if you go out of Sketch Pattern and toggle it back on Sketch Pattern now has Variables but doesn’t work!