In all of my years messing with Sonar (Cakewalk v3) I have never used the step sequencer, other than to fire it up and see what the fuss was all about.  Now I am contemplating an experiment of the Shepard tone.  I need three tracks separated by an octave each.  That seems like an opportunity to use the Step Sequencer.  
 
Do I really have to hand put in the note numbers?  Isn't there an auto fill of some sorts?   

Nobody?
 
Well maybe this should be a feature request.  If I wanted a sequence to cover 2 octaves and it did not start with the notes that the step sequencer defaults to, I have to manually change each note.  Seems like a paintbrush could copy + 1 or copy -1 midi note numbers so 24 cells could be filled sequentially up or down with a key/mouse stroke.  

Hmm, I must say I'm a bit confused. Do you mean you want the sequence to cover 2 octaves or you want to duplicate the original sequence an octave up or down?
 
As to hand entering the sequence, yes it is manual as you have to select the note duration, enter rests where needed, etc. but you can use a keyboard to enter the actual note.
 
Like all other features, it has it's place. It is great for arpeggios or for long sequences of the same note duration. Prevents some cleanup or quantization after the fact.
 
As to moving the sequence up an octave you would use the piano roll view either to select and move or copy, paste and then move to duplicate it an octave.

Doc
I want to create a 2 octave sequence.  I would like to start with C2 and go through C4.  I would like to start with the C2 row and "paint" the midi note numbers up sequentially rather than typing them in by hand.  
 
I understand hand entering the notes.  I have no issue with that.  It is just setting up the template should be a lot more automated.  Obviously, I want to chose the notes going in and coming out.  
 
 

There is no "painting" in the step record. In that situation I would set the snapping in the PRV to be whatever duration and then mouse click the notes in. Drawing a line or something in the PRV may work but I doubt it. How is it going to know if you want a c natural or c sharp or a# or all of them?
 
There may be some feature in Sonar that does what you want but I'm not aware of it.

maybe i am not saying this correctly.  
 
I only want the midi note numbers in the little boxes that say 36 37 38... to auto fill.  
 
Here it would be the column of blue numbers under the drop arrow for the Pattern tab and just left of the mute button column - not any of the actual notes being played by pressing the grey squares.  

space_cowboy
 
I only want the midi note numbers in the little boxes that say 36 37 38... to auto fill.  
 

There's two parts I'm not clear on?
What do you mean by auto fill. Do you mean 'Right click the row and select fill every 2,3,4,5,6',  or 'take what you programed in PRV and convert to step sequencer', or 'something else'?
 
And when you only want certain note numbers, do you mean you don't want to see the other rows? Which can be achieved by deleting the unwanted rows, or by bouncing the clip, then converting it back to step sequencer.
 
 
 

Oops, my bad. I was thinking step record. I haven't used the step sequencer enough to know the tricks.
 
Nevermind...

I don't know enough about the SS to give good advice but I do know you can create this in Midi, which might be easier using the Select tool with snap engaged to the correct duration.
then right click on the clip and choose "Convert to step sequencer clip".
You can also reverse the process the same way by choosing "Convert to midi clip".

Kamikaze
I do not want it to fill in music. I just want the note number assignments (see pic and discussion) to fill more efficiently.  
 
If I had 36 notes in a step sequence (covering 3 octaves), I would have to fill in 33, 34, 35.. up to 68.  THAT IS BEFORE SELECTING ANY ACTUAL NOTES TO PLAY.  That part seems like it could be more efficient.  
 
 
 

Sorry if I have done a poor job explaining.  
 
Chuck you may be right.  Doing this in MIDI and completely forgetting the Step Sequencer may have been easier.  
 
Thanks all.