Array Dialog

Main toolbar > Array (on Array flyout) > Array dialog

Tools menu > Array > Array dialog

The Array dialog enables you to create an array of objects based on the current selection.

The items in the Array Dimensions group let you create one-, two-, or three-dimensional arrays. In this case, the term dimension refers to the dimension of arraying the objects. For example, a row of five objects is a single-dimension array, even though it takes up three-dimensional space in the scene. An array of objects that's five rows by three columns is a two-dimensional array, and an array of objects that's five rows by three columns by two levels is a three-dimensional array.

Procedures

To create an array:

Select the object(s) to array.
Click Array or choose Tools > Array.
In the Array dialog, select the type of object to output (copy, instance, or reference).
Click the arrow to indicate whether to set Incremental or Total array parameters for Move, Rotate, and Scale.
Enter coordinates for the Array Transformation parameters.
Indicate whether you want a 1D, 2D, or 3D array.
Set count to the number of copies.
Enter the appropriate values in the numeric fields for Incremental Row Offsets.
Click OK.
The current selection is duplicated the specified number of times, with each object transformed as indicated.

To replace an array:

Undo the array to replace, using Edit > Undo Create Array, or press CTRL+Z.
Change the coordinate system and transform center, if needed.
Click Array to display the Array dialog and adjust any of the parameters.
Create a new array, which replaces the previous version. Repeat these steps to fine-tune the array.

Example: To create an array of objects that numbers 5 x 4 x 3:

Create a teapot with a radius of about 10 units.
Click Array to display the Array dialog.
In the Incremental set of spinners, adjust the Move X spinner to 50 to array each object 50 units apart.
In the Array Dimensions group, choose the 3D button to enable all of the spinners in that group.
Set the 1D Count spinner to 5, the 2D Count spinner to 4, and the 3D Count spinner to 3.
This creates a row of 5 objects that are 50 units apart, and then 4 rows of those five objects, and then 3 rows of the 5 x 4 matrix of objects, resulting in a box array.
In the 2D row, set the Y spinner to 80.
In the 3D row, set the Z spinner to 100.
Click OK.
A box array of teapots appears. The first dimensional is five teapots created along the X world axis, 50 units apart (as specified in the Array Transform group). The second dimensional array is four layers created along the Y world axis, 80 units apart (as specified in the Array Dimensions group). The third dimensional array is three layers created along the Z world axis, 100 units apart. The total number of teapots in the array is 60.

Example: To create a 360-degree array:

Reset the software.
Near the top of the Front viewport (away from its center), create a long, thin box at the six-o'clock position (if the viewport were a clock face).
Choose Use Transform Coordinate Center on the Main toolbar.
Click the Array button to display the Array dialog, and adjust any of the parameters.
Click the arrow button to the right of the Rotate label to enable the three Rotate spinners in the Totals section.
Set the Z spinner to 360.
In Array Dimensions, choose 1D and set the Count spinner to 12.
Click OK.
An array of 12 boxes is created in a full circle.

Interface

Array Transformation group

Specifies which combination of the three transforms to use to create the array. You also specify the extent, along the three axes, for each transform. You can specify the extent of the transform in increments between each object, or in totals for all objects. In either case, the distances are measured between the pivot points of the objects. The arrays occur using the current transform settings, so the group title changes depending on the transform settings.

Click the left or right arrow button for Move, Rotate, or Scale to indicate whether you want to set Incremental or Total array parameters.

Incremental

Move: Specifies the distance between each arrayed object along the X, Y, and Z axes, in units.

Rotate: Specifies the degree of rotation about any of the three axes for each object in the array, in degrees.

Scale: Specifies the percentage of scale along any of the three axes for each object in the array, in percentages.

Totals

Move: Specifies the overall distance, along each of the three axes, between the pivot points of the two outer objects in the resulting array. For example, if you're arraying 6 objects and set Move X total to 100, the six objects will be arrayed in a row that's 100 units between the pivot points of the two outer objects in the row.

Rotate: Specifies the total degrees of rotation applied to the objects along each of the three axes. You can use this, for example, to create an array that totals 360 degrees.

Re-Orient: Rotates the generated objects about their local axes while rotating them about the world coordinates. When clear, the objects maintain their original orientation.

Scale: Specifies the total scale of the objects along each of the three axes.

Uniform: Disables the Y and Z spinners and applies the X value to all axes, resulting in a uniform scale.

Type of Object group

Determine the type of copies made by the Array function. The default is Copy.

Copy: Arrays copies of the selected object to the specified position.

Instance: Arrays instances of the selected object to the specified position.

Reference: Arrays references of the selected object to the specified position.

Array Dimensions group

Lets you add to the Array Transformation dimension. The additional dimensions are positional only. Rotation and scale are not used.

1D: Creates a one-dimensional array, based on the settings in the Array Transformation group.

Count: Specifies the total number of objects along this dimension of the array. For 1D arrays, this is the total number of objects in the array.

2D: Creates a two-dimensional array.

Count: Specifies the total number of objects along this second dimension of the array.

X/Y/Z: Specifies the incremental offset distance along each axis of the second dimension of the array.

3D: Creates a three-dimensional array.

Count: Specifies the total number of objects along this third dimension of the array.

X/Y/Z: Specifies the incremental offset distance along each axis of the third dimension of the array.

Total in Array: Specifies the total number of entities to create, including the current selection, and defaults to 10. If you're arraying a selection set, the resulting number of objects will be a multiple of this number times the number of objects in the selection set.

Reset All Parameters: Resets all the parameters to their default settings.