Chapter 12 Arranging and Patterning Objects
375
Once you select objects to array and the path, the
Array Creation
ribbon tab and
an array preview appear. See Figure 12-20. Use the
Array Creation
ribbon tab, dynamic
input or the command line, or the shortcut menu to construct the array. Grips offer
another option for defi the array, as described in Chapter 13. fining
Measure Path Method
The measure path method is active by default and allows you to fill the entire fi
path with items a specifi distance apart, specify the total number of items and item fic
spacing, or specify the total number of items and total item distance. Use the text boxes
in the
Items
ribbon panel or apply the
Items
option.
By default, AutoCAD fi lls the entire path with items and allows you to set item fi
spacing, as shown in Figure 12-20B. Item spacing is the distance between a point on
an item and the corresponding object point on the adjacent item. If you do not know
an exact spacing, enter an equation or formula in the
Item Spacing
ribbon text box, or
apply the
Expression
option at the appropriate prompt of the
Items
option.
In order to specify the total number of items and item spacing, or the total number
of items and total item distance, deselect the
Item Count
ribbon button, or enter the
item count at the appropriate prompt of the
Items
option. If you do not know an exact
count, enter an equation or formula in the
Item Count
ribbon text box, or apply the
Expression
option at the appropriate prompt of the
Items
option. Set item spacing as
previously described, or specify the total item distance. The total item distance is the
distance between a point on the fi rst item to the corresponding object point on the last fi
item. See Figure 12-20B.
Ribbon
Array Creation
Properties
Measure Method
Figure 12-20.
Creating a path array of a polyline object. A—The
Array Creation
contextual ribbon tab.
B—The initial array preview and grips. Use the preview for reference as you construct the array.
Note: objects are shown in color for reference only.
A
B
Selected object to array
(source object)
Selected path
Default base point
(end of path curve)
Grips
Item spacing
Total item distance
Array Creation
tab
Number of
items
Item Count
button selected
by default (fills the entire
path with items a specific
distance apart)
Total distance
between the
first and last items
Spacing of
items
Orients the first
item relative to
the path curve
Pick to choose between
the measure path
and divide path methods
Aligns each item
to be tangent to
the path direction