Array

[Electrofied]

Hi,

 

How can I array an object in Designer - reproduce a number of units of the same object at the same distance?

[A_B_C]

Currently I would suggest using the Power Duplicate feature …  :)

 

[Electrofied]

This is perfect! Thank you, A_B_C.

[ManfrediC]

Hello!

What if I need to make a polar array? (like the marks on a watch face for instance?)

Thank you very much!

[Bri-Toon]

What if I need to make a polar array? (like the marks on a watch face for instance?)

Thank you very much!

 

For something like this whereas you need to be more precise, power duplicate may not be the best option.

 

1. Create a circle holding Shift to constrain it.

 

2. With snapping enabled, create a vertical line from the top middle of the circle to the bottom middle.

 

3. Copy and paste it. (The copy will be right on top of the original)

 

4. Rotate the copy holding Shift to rotate it in a 30 degree increment (2 snaps). (Repeat steps 3 and 4 until the circle is filled.)

 

5. Copy and paste each line and the circle

 

6. Shrink the copy of the circle holding Shift + Ctrl to constrain and center it until there is a small gap between the two.

 

7. Resize each lines so each stays in between the two circles.

 

8. Now just delete the middle circle.

[Butler To Cats]

bledc has shown you a good way for complete control.

 

For another way of approaching this, Power Duplicate can also help with this if your objects (time markers, for instance) are evenly spaced.

 

1. Create your object or group that will be repeated around the circle. Place it at the 12 o'clock position, for example.

 

2. Turn on Show Rotation Center (cross-hairs icon above the workspace). 

 

3. Drag the rotation center directly down to the center of the rotation area (the center of the watch face). Use snapping (bounding boxes and midpoints) to aid in more accurate alignment with the center of your object/group.

 

4. Duplicate the object/group, and use the rotation handle to rotate the duplicate into place. Hold Shift to snap rotation to 15 degree increments. For 5-minute time markers on a watch, use 2 snap increments (30 degrees) as bleduc has already said.

 

5. Ctrl+J (or I assume it is Cmmd+J on a Mac) to Power Duplicate (duplicate and rotate) each of the other markers.

[Bri-Toon]

What clever thinking, Obtusity. That method is way easier.

 

Also, Electrofied, on Step 4 when you duplicate the 12 O' clock mark, make sure you do it by rotation + Alt (shortcut for duplicating). If you copy and paste, the Power Duplicate won't work.

[Butler To Cats]

on Step 4 when you duplicate the 12 O' clock mark, make sure you do it by rotation + Alt (shortcut for duplicating). If you copy and paste, the Power Duplicate won't work.

 

Ooh, thanks! I used Edit menu, Duplicate (or Ctrl+J) then rotate, I didn't realise Power Duplicate didn't work with copy and paste - that would have bitten me in the future, I'm sure.

[Nils Austa]

Thanks!

There is one drawback with duplicating with ALT-key. In this case the "force pixel aligment" is switched off. Any workaround for that?

[A_B_C]

Hold down the Command Key, Nils. Does the same, but with snapping left on. 

[Nils Austa]

I have windows version. Any solution for that?

[A_B_C]

The same must be possible in the Windows version as well. That’s for sure!

Unfortunately, I don’t know the required modifier key. Why don’t you go ahead and try each of them, or even some combinations? There’s just a finite number. And if that doesn’t work, I hope a kind Windows user will come to give you advice, sorry. 

[walt.farrell]

4 hours ago, Nils Austa said:

I have windows version. Any solution for that?

Windows uses the Ctrl key where Mac uses Cmd.

[A_B_C]

Great, thank you, Walt!