Draft CircularArray: Difference between revisions

From FreeCAD Documentation
(How to use)
(→‎How to use: Choose the symmetry number, which determines how the objects will be distributed in the array. Choose a number between 1 and 10.)
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# Select an object from which you wish to make the circular array.
# Select an object from which you wish to make the circular array.
# Press the {{Button|[[File:Draft_CircularArray.svg|16px]] [[Draft_CircularArray|Circular array]]}} button. If no object is selected, the [[task_panel|task panel]] will open, but you still need to select an object to proceed.
# Press the {{Button|[[File:Draft_CircularArray.svg|16px]] [[Draft_CircularArray|Circular array]]}} button. If no object is selected, the [[task_panel|task panel]] will open, but you still need to select an object to proceed.
# Choose the radial distance, which determines the distance from the center of the array to the next circular layer, and between each subsequent circular layers.
# Choose the radial distance, which determines the distance from the center of the array to the next circular layer, and between subsequent circular layers.
# Choose the tangential distance, which determines the distance from one element in the array to the next element in the same circular layer. This distance determines how many elements will be created; if the number is small, there will be many tightly packed objects; if the number is large, there will only be a few elements. This distance cannot be zero.
# Choose the tangential distance, which determines the distance from one element in the array to the next element in the same circular layer. This distance determines how many elements will be in the array; if the number is small, there will be many tightly packed copies; if the number is large, there will only be a few copies. This distance cannot be zero.
# Choose the number of circular layers. The original object is considered one layer by itself. Minimum of 2, maximum of 99.
# Choose the number of circular layers. The original object is considered one layer by itself. Minimum of 2, maximum of 99.
# Choose the symmetry, which determines how the objects will be distributed in the array.
# Choose the symmetry number, which determines how the objects will be distributed in the array. Choose a number between 1 and 10.
# Choose the center of the axis of rotation. You can click on the [[3D_view|3D view]], to simultaneously set the position of the center of rotation, and complete the command.
# Choose the center of the axis of rotation. You can click on the [[3D_view|3D view]], to simultaneously set the position of the center of rotation, and complete the command.
# Optionally, check the fuse or link options.
# Optionally, check the fuse or link options.

Revision as of 02:33, 17 January 2020

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Draft CircularArray

Menu location
Draft → Circular array
Workbenches
Draft
Default shortcut
None
Introduced in version
0.19
See also
Array, PolarArray, PathArray, PointArray, Clone

Description

The Draft CircularArray tool creates an array from a selected object placing the copies along concentric circumferences. This is like using PolarArray with a polar angle of 360 degrees, and creating several such concentric arrays.

This tool can be used on 2D shapes created with the Draft Workbench but can also be used on many types of 3D objects such as those created with the Part Workbench or PartDesign Workbench.

To position copies in a rectangular grid use Array; to position in a polar pattern use PolarArray; to position copies along a path use PathArray; to position copies at specified points use PointArray; to create copies or clones, and manually place them use Move, Rotate, and Clone.

A circular array of an object.

How to use

  1. Select an object from which you wish to make the circular array.
  2. Press the Circular array button. If no object is selected, the task panel will open, but you still need to select an object to proceed.
  3. Choose the radial distance, which determines the distance from the center of the array to the next circular layer, and between subsequent circular layers.
  4. Choose the tangential distance, which determines the distance from one element in the array to the next element in the same circular layer. This distance determines how many elements will be in the array; if the number is small, there will be many tightly packed copies; if the number is large, there will only be a few copies. This distance cannot be zero.
  5. Choose the number of circular layers. The original object is considered one layer by itself. Minimum of 2, maximum of 99.
  6. Choose the symmetry number, which determines how the objects will be distributed in the array. Choose a number between 1 and 10.
  7. Choose the center of the axis of rotation. You can click on the 3D view, to simultaneously set the position of the center of rotation, and complete the command.
  8. Optionally, check the fuse or link options.
  9. Press OK to complete the command.

Notes:

  • By default, the axis of rotation is the positive Z axis (0, 0, 1). This can be changed in the property editor after the object is created.
  • Each element in the array is an exact clone of the original object, but the entire array is considered a single unit in terms of properties and appearance.
  • This command creates the same object as the one created with the Array and PolarArray tools. Therefore, the array can be converted to orthogonal, polar, or circular just by changing its properties.
Draft
User documentation
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