3-Axial Array Tool

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The 3-Axial Array Tool allows user to create multiple copies of an entity in three directions.

 

3-Axial Array:

From the Toolbar: Find the Linear Tool icon ss3AxialArrayTool on the Modify Toolbar (color coded green) and Click on the tool. The tool is now active and ready for use.

 
From the Shortcut Key: The default shortcut key for the point tool is the letter "Alt + R, 4". Simply press the key and the tool will be activated.

 
From the Command Line: Type "array_3_axial" into the Command Line, at the top of the notification window, and press the Enter/Return key.

 

This tool is a Stacked Tool; if there is no selection prior to the activation of this tool the Selection Tool will become active. If entities were already selected when the  tool was activated then this step will be skipped.

1.        Select entities to create array.

2.        Press Enter to finish the selection process.

 

1.        Set array tool settings:

"Axis Selection" can be set to "WCS Axis" (WCS x-axis is column offset direction and y-axis is row offset direction), or "UCS Axis" (UCS x-axis is column offset direction and y-axis is row offset direction), or "Arbitrary Axis" (Define your own column and row offset directions).
If "Insert as Block" is checked, the created array is inserted as a Block Reference Entity.
If "Delete Entity" is checked, the original entity from which array is created gets deleted after inserting the array.
"Row Offset" specifies the unit offset distance between rows.
"Column Offset" specifies the unit offset distance between columns.
"Tier Offset" specifies the unit offset distance between tiers.
"Number of Columns" specifies the number of columns.
"Number of Rows" specifies the number of rows.
"Number of Tiers" specifies the number of tiers.

2.        If "Arbitrary Axis" is not selected as "Axis Selection" this step is skipped. Move the mouse and Click on the drawing. This will be the start point of column offset direction. Move the mouse and click on the drawing again. This will be the end point of column offset direction.

3.        If "Arbitrary Axis" is not selected as "Axis Selection" this step is skipped. Move the mouse and click on the drawing. This will be the start point of row offset direction. Move the mouse and click on the drawing again. This will be the end point ofrow offset direction.

4.        If "Arbitrary Axis" is not selected as "Axis Selection" this step is skipped. Move the mouse and click on the drawing. This will be the start point of tier offset direction. Move the mouse and click on the drawing again. This will be the end point of tier offset direction.

5.        Move the mouse and click on the drawing for the base point of the array.

6.        Move the mouse and click on the drawing for the insertion point of the clone

 

Reset:

After cloning entities the tool will automatically reset. You can either continue with other tools or array more entities.

 

To create 3-Axial Array from the selected entity(ies) in a more precise manner go to the Tool Property Tree.

ss3AxialArrayToolProperties

 

1.        Set array tool settings:

"Axis Selection" can be set to "WCS Axis" (WCS x-axis is column offset direction and y-axis is row offset direction), or "UCS Axis" (UCS x-axis is column offset direction and y-axis is row offset direction), or "Arbitrary Axis" (Define your own column and row offset directions).
If "Insert as Block" is checked, the created array is inserted as a Block Reference Entity.
If "Delete Entity" is checked, the original entity from which array is created gets deleted after inserting the array.
"Row Offset" specifies the unit offset distance between rows.
"Column Offset" specifies the unit offset distance between columns.
"Tier Offset" specifies the unit offset distance between tiers.
"Number of Columns" specifies the number of columns.
"Number of Rows" specifies the number of rows.
"Number of Tiers" specifies the number of tiers.

2.        If "Arbitrary Axis" is not selected as "Axis Selection" this step is skipped. Type in column offset direction data into the "Column Offset Direction" 3D Vector found on the Tool Property Tree and press Enter to accept.

3.        If "Arbitrary Axis" is not selected as "Axis Selection" this step is skipped. Type in row offset direction data into the "Row Offset Direction" field and press Enter to accept.

4.        If "Arbitrary Axis" is not selected as "Axis Selection" this step is skipped. Type in tier offset direction data into the "Tier Offset Direction" field and press Enter to accept.

5.        Type the base point coordinates into the "Base Point" 3D Point Property Field press Enter to accept.

6.        Type the insertion point coordinates into the "Insertion Point" field and press Enter to accept.

 

Reset:

After cloning entities the tool will automatically reset. You can either continue with other tools or array more entities.

 

 

mouse_20 Right Click: Brings up a Context Menu containing options for this tool.

keyboard_20 Escape (Esc): Cancels current tool and activates the default tool (Selection Tool).

keyboard_20 Space: Resets this tool.

 

 

Also See:

Selection Tool

Grid

Grid Snaps

Entity Snaps

Notification Bar