Hole Block Definition?

I'm having trouble finding some information or a tutorial on a command or process which I'm sure exists but am not sure how to word...

I would like to create a bunch of holes in a model I am working on but would like to be able to edit/redefine the size or shape of the holes later on by having them all linked and updating automatically. For instance, if I make 50 holes in a model with an 8mm diameter but later I realise I want them all to be 6mm in diameter, is there a way to have them all linked and by changing one they all change?

If somebody knows what I mean could you tell me what I should be searching for?

Thanks so much!

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Nick on October 30, 2013 at 1:14pm

It is indeed possible, but to make the solution respond better to your problem, it would help to know/see what exactly you are trying to achieve in terms of your model.

aka are the holes distributed evenly? do they follow a pattern? is it a model with a thickness? etc...

Permalink Reply by M Bailey on October 30, 2013 at 2:01pm

As an example...

I'm not working on something specific right now but its something that has cropped up a few times before and I've thought, "there must be better way!".

In the example above, imagine I am making a box or some piece of furniture and I'm using these joint connector fittings, I need holes for the bolts which are 8mm diameter and the barrel bolts which are 10mm diameter. I finish designing my thing and then I decide, doh! The fittings I have/want to use are actually 6mm, I don't want to have to go re-model all the holes I just want to change the diameter (imagine its not just a box but some crazy shelving system or something with 100 holes in it instead of four).

Just to be clear, I'm not particularly looking for someone to write a definition for me anything I'm just wondering, what is it I am trying to do?! Does this have a name/term? Is this something that has been covered a hundred times in tutorials or other posts? I'm sure it has, I just can't seem to find it today :)

Thanks for your reply, Nick

Permalink Reply by Nick on October 30, 2013 at 4:49pm

Went a bit out of my way and created a whole box generating algorithm.

Should be easy enough to tear apart and apply elsewhere. The trick is to have the dimension of your screws and barrels as adjustable parameters that inform the geometry.

See attached.

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