The Array dialog appears rather complex. However, there are two main control areas where you set the important parameters: Array Transformation and Array Dimensions.
You can set parameters in any order, but in practice itÆs useful to start with Array Transformation. This creates the basic building block for the larger array, as defined by Array Dimensions.
These topics discuss specific strategies for using these controls:
Creating Circular and Spiral Arrays
This area lists the active coordinate system and transform center. ItÆs where you set the transforms that define the first row of the array. You decide here on the distance, rotation, or scale of individual elements, and along what axes. You then repeat this row in other dimensions to produce the finished array.
You set Move, Rotate, and Scale parameters along any of the three axes of the current coordinate system.
Move is set in current units. Use a minus value to create the array in the negative direction of the axis.
Rotate is set in degrees. Use a minus value to create the array in a clockwise direction around the axis.
Scale is set as a percentage. 100 percent is full-size. Percentages below 100 decrease the size.
For each transform, you have the choice of whether to apply the transforms to each element in the array or to the overall array.
Click arrows on either side of the transform labels to choose between Incremental or Totals.
Incremental and Totals settings are toggles for each transform. When you set a value on one side, the other side is unavailable. However, the unavailable value updates to show the equivalent setting.
Incremental: Parameters set on this side apply to individual objects in the array. Here are examples:
An Incremental Move X setting of 25 specifies a spacing of 25 units on the X axis between centers of arrayed objects.
An Incremental Rotate Z setting of 30 specifies a progressive rotation of 30 degrees on the Z axis for each object in the array. In the finished array, each object is rotated 30 degrees farther than the one before it.
Totals: Parameters set on this side apply to the overall distance, number or degrees, or percentage scale in the array. Here are examples:
A Totals Move X setting of 25 specifies a total distance of 25 units on the X axis between the centers of the first and last arrayed objects.
A Totals Rotate Z setting of 30 specifies a combined rotation of 30 degrees on the Z axis divided equally among every object in the array.
The other main control area is Array Dimensions. These controls determine the number of dimensions used in the array and the spacing between the dimensions.
Count: The number of objects, rows, or layers in each dimension.
A one-dimensional array
1D: One-dimensional arrays form a single line of objects in 3D space, like a line of columns. 1D Count=number of objects in a row. Spacing for these objects is defined in the Array Transformation area.
A two-dimensional array
2D: Two-dimensional arrays form a single layer of objects in 3D space, like the rows of squares on a chess board. 2D Count=number of rows in the array.
A three-dimensional array
3D: Three-dimensional arrays form multiple layers of objects in 3D space, like boxes stacked neatly on a palette in a warehouse. 3D Count=number of layers in the array.
These parameters become available when you choose a 2D or 3D array. These are distances along any of the three axes of the current coordinate system.
If you set a Count value for 2D or 3D, but no row offsets, the array is created with overlapping objects. You need to specify at least one offset distance to prevent this.
If some objects appear missing in the array, use the Main toolbar > Select By Name tool to see the full listing of objects in your scene.