Circular Array of 2D Elements

Call the command Circular Array.

In order to create a circular array you have to select it's source elements and enable the desired mode of copying, then specify a target point - center of array, as described in the Anchor Points of Moving and Copying 2D Elements section. Parameters of the point are displayed in the Center group within the  parameters window. Copies in array are placed around the center at a distance equal to distance between the center and source elements. After selecting source elements, dynamically moving resulting elements of the array are displayed on the screen. Their number and total angle can be set in the parameters window. Upon defining a position of the center, the creation of the array ends.

Parameters of circular array

The drop-down list located in the top of the parameters window allows switching the type of transformation.]

The detailed information on types of transformation is available in the Switch between 2D Elements Move and Copy Commands section.

The Save as Default Parameters button is located to the right of the said drop-down list. Values of array's parameters set at the moment of pressing this button will be used as defaults upon calling the circular array command in future.

 

Next, there are following parameters of array:

Method of creation
The array has three interrelated parameters: number of copies, step and total angle. Depending on the selected method of creation, two of these parameters are defined by the user, while the third one is calculated automatically from values of two others. Following methods are available in the drop-down list:

•Number of Copies and Step
Total angle is calculated automatically.

•Total Angle and Step
Number of copies is calculated automatically.

•Number of Copies and Total Angle
Step is calculated automatically.

Copies
Total number of copies in the array, i.e. number of repeating the set of source objects. The number includes the source set itself.

Step
Angular distance between adjacent copies. Copies are rotated around the selected center point. The sign of step defines the direction of array. Positive step is measured counterclockwise, negative - clockwise.

Angle
Total angle of the array, i.e. the angular distance between the first and the last copy.

 

Moreover the parameters window contains input boxes and checkboxes of X and Y coordinates of the Center of array (target point).

The detailed information on parameters of points is available in the Anchor Points of Moving and Copying 2D Elements section.

When creating a circular array in the  Create copy with constraints mode, the  Circular Array constraint is created automatically.

See Also:

•Select 2D Elements for Moving and Copying

•Switch between 2D Elements Move and Copy Commands

•Modes of Copying 2D Elements

•Anchor Points of Moving and Copying 2D Elements

•Next Action upon Moving and Copying 2D Elements