You can create copies
of objects in a rectangular or polar (circular) pattern called an
array.
For rectangular arrays, you control the number of
rows and columns and the distance between each. For polar arrays,
you control the number of copies of the object and whether the copies
are rotated. To create many regularly spaced objects, arraying is
faster than copying.
Create Rectangular Arrays
A
rectangular array is built along a baseline defined by the current
snap rotation angle. This angle is zero by default, so the rows
and columns of a rectangular array are orthogonal with respect to
the X and Y axes. The
default angle 0 direction setting can be changed in UNITS.
Create Polar Arrays
When you create a polar array, the array is drawn
counterclockwise or clockwise, depending on whether you enter a
positive or a negative value for the angle to fill.
The radius of the array is determined by the
distance from the specified center point to a reference or
base point on the last selected object. You can use the default
reference point (usually an arbitrary point that coincides with
a snap point), or you can specify a new base point to be used as
the reference point.
Array in 3D
With 3DARRAY, you can create
a rectangular array or a polar array of objects in 3D. In addition
to specifying the number of columns (X direction)
and rows (Y direction), you also specify
the number of levels (Z direction).
Limit the Size of Arrays
If
you specify a very large number of rows and columns for an array,
it may take a long time to create the copies. By default, the number
of array elements that can be generated by one command is limited
to approximately 100,000. This limit is controlled by the MaxArray
setting in the registry.
You
can change the limit by setting the MaxArray system registry variable using
(setenv “MaxArray” “n”) where n is
a number between 100 and 10000000 (ten million).
NoteWhen changing the
value of MaxArray, you must enter MaxArray with the capitalization
shown.
To create a rectangular
array
-
- In the Array dialog box, select Rectangular
Array.
- Click Select Objects.
The Array dialog box closes. You are prompted
for object selection.
- Select the objects to be arrayed and
press Enter.
- In the Rows and Columns boxes, enter
the number of rows and columns in the array.
- Specify the horizontal and vertical spacing
(offsets) between objects by using one of the following methods:
- In the Row Offset and Column Offset boxes,
enter the distance between rows and between columns. Adding a plus
sign (+) or a minus sign (-) determines direction.
- Click the Pick Both Offsets button to
use the pointing device to specify the diagonal corners of a cell
in the array. The cell determines the vertical and horizontal spacing
of the rows and columns.
- Click the Pick Row Offset or Pick Column
Offset button to use the pointing device to specify the horizontal
and vertical spacing.
The example box displays the result.
- To change the rotation angle of the array,
enter the new angle next to Angle of Array.
- The default angle 0 direction setting
can also be changed in UNITS.
- Click OK to create the array.
To create a polar array
-
- In the Array dialog box, select Polar
Array.
- Next to Center Point, do one of the following:
- Enter an X value and
a Y value
for the center point of the polar array.
- Click the Pick Center Point button. The
Array dialog box closes and you are prompted for object selection.
Use the pointing device to specify the center point of the polar
array.
- Click Select Objects.
The Array dialog box closes and you are prompted
for object selection.
- Select the objects to be arrayed.
- In the Method box, select one of the
following methods:
- Total Number of Items & Angle to
Fill
- Total Number of Items & Angle Between
Items
- Angle to Fill & Angle Between Items
- Enter the number of items (including
the original object), if available.
- Use one of the following methods:
- Enter the angle to fill and angle between
items, if available. Angle to Fill specifies the distance to fill
around the circumference of the array. Angle Between Items specifies
the distance between each item.
- Click the Pick Angle to Fill button and
the Pick Angle Between Items button. Use the pointing device to
specify the angle to fill and the angle between items.
The example box displays the result.
- You can set any of the following options:
- To rotate the objects as they are arrayed,
select Rotate Items As Copied. The example area displays the result.
- To specify the X,Y base
point, select More, clear the Set to Object's Default option and
enter values in the X and Y boxes, or
click the Pick Base Point button and use the pointing device to
specify the point.
- Click OK to create the array.
To create a 3D rectangular
array of objects
- Click Home
tab
Modify
panel 3D
Array. 
- Select the object to
array (1).
- Specify Rectangular.
- Enter the number of
rows.
- Enter the number of
columns.
- Enter the number of
levels.
- Specify the distance
between rows.
- Specify the distance
between columns.
- Specify the distance
between levels.
To create a 3D polar array
of objects
- Click Home
tab Modify
panel 3D
Array.
- Select the object to
array (1).
- Specify Polar.
- Enter the number of
items to array.
- Specify the angle that
the arrayed objects are to fill.
- Press Enter to rotate
the objects as they are arrayed, or enter n to retain their
orientation.
- Specify the start point
and endpoint of the axis about which the objects are to be rotated
(2 and 3).
Commands3DARRAY
Creates
a 3D matrix of objects in a rectangular or polar arrangement.
ARRAY
Creates multiple copies
of objects in a pattern.
DSETTINGS
Sets grid and snap,
polar and object snap tracking, object snap modes, Dynamic Input,
and Quick Properties.
UCS
Manages user coordinate
systems.
UNITS
Controls coordinate
and angle display formats and precision.
System VariablesANGBASE
Sets the base angle
to 0 with respect to the current UCS.
ANGDIR
Sets the direction of
positive angles.
SNAPANG
Sets the snap and grid
rotation angle for the current viewport relative to the current
UCS.
