LinearPattern - ModifyDefinition - Performance hit

Making a linear pattern can be a slow process. When a linear pattern is created in the GUI skipping instances reduces rebuild time. However, in VBA doing the same thing requires making the full pattern and then modifyingdefinition. That's two rebuilds, effectively doubling the time it takes to create a pattern.

Is there any way to feed the pattern the instances it should skip prior to creating the pattern. Chicken and Egg problem.

TIA

SolidworksApi macros