Applied Parameters: None
Summary
This command is used to copy selected objects and place them in a defined array within the current document.
Access
This command can be accessed from the CAMtastic Editor by:
- Choosing the Edit » Objects » Array command from the main menus.
- Clicking the button, on the Editing Tools drop-down () of the Utilities toolbar.
- Using the Ctrl+A keyboard shortcut.
Use
After launching the command, the cursor will change to a square and you will enter array placement mode. An array is placed by performing the following sequence of actions:
- Click on the objects that are to be included in the array, making them selected. Clicking away from an object allows you to drag a selection area, for including multiple objects in the selection. Selection is cumulative.
- When all required objects have been selected, right-click. The Edit Array dialog appears. The dialog allows you to define the number of rows and columns in the array and also to precisely define the spacing for the array, using one of two methods:
- Distance - this method allows you to specify the spacing between rows and columns, in relation to the size of the image (i.e. the selection of objects). When you specify a value in a Distance field, you need to add the required spacing to the value in the Image Size field and enter this combined value as the distance. For example, if the image size is 0.5inches and you require a 200mil spacing, you would need to enter 0.7 in the corresponding Distance field.
- Gap - this method allows you to specify the direct spacing between rows and columns and therefore not dependent on the image size. For example, if you require a 200mil spacing, you would need to enter 0.2 in the corresponding Gap field.
Click the Show Preview button to expand the dialog to display the array preview window, where you can view how the array will look when placed. The preview will update as you make changes to the array settings.
- After defining the array as required, click OK to effect its placement. The array starts with the original selected objects and is placed upwards and to the left.
- Continue selecting further objects to include in further arrays, or right-click, or press Esc, to exit.
Tips
- Step & Repeat codes can be used with arrays. They basically enable the use of looped code instead of rewriting identical sequences, therefore reducing the size of generated files.
- Images in the array can overlap by entering a negative value for the corresponding Gap, or a value for the Distance that is less than the corresponding image size.