AutoCAD Lesson 112 – Array Commands

AutoCAD Array Command Comprehension

Makes copies of items that are set in a pattern. Objects in a normally distributed rectangular, polar, or path sequence may be duplicated. There are three types of arrays:

• Rectangular
• Path
• Polar

HOW TO USE RECTANGULAR ARRAY COMMAND

Distributes copies of the chosen object into any number of tables, columns, and stages

(same as the ARRAYRECT command).

• Command: AR (press enter) ARRAY
• Select objects: Specify opposite corner: 2 found Select objects:
• Enter array type [Rectangular/PAth/POlar] <Polar>: R
• Type = Rectangular  Associative = Yes
• Select grip to edit array or [ASsociative/Basepoint/COUnt/Spacing/COLumns/Rows/Levels/eXit]<eXit>: COL
• Enter the number of columns or [Expression] <4>: 2
• Specify the distance between columns or [Total/Expression] <750.0000>: 800
• Select grip to edit array or [ASsociative/Basepoint/COUnt/Spacing/COLumns/Rows/Levels/eXit]<eXit>: R
• Enter the number of rows or [Expression] <3>: 3
• Specify the distance between rows or [Total/Expression] <900.0000>: 1000
• Specify the incrementing elevation between rows or [Expression] <0.0000>:
• Select grip to edit array or [ASsociative/Basepoint/COUnt/Spacing/COLumns/Rows/Levels/eXit]<eXit>: X

HOW TO USE PATH ARRAY COMMAND

Distributes copies of the chosen object evenly throughout a path or a component of a path

(same as the ARRAYPATH command).

Distributes copies of the chosen object evenly throughout a path or a component of a path

• Command: AR (press enter) ARRAY
• Select objects: 1 found
• Select objects:  Enter array type [Rectangular/PAth/POlar] <Rectangular>: PA
• Type = Path  Associative = Yes
• Select path curve:
• Select grip to edit array or [ASsociative/Method/Base point/Tangent direction/Items/Rows/Levels/Align items/Z direction/eXit]<eXit>: I
• Specify the distance between items along path or [Expression] <1561.0275>: 1200
• Maximum items = 6
• Specify number of items or [Fill entire path/Expression] <6>:
• Select grip to edit array or [ASsociative/Method/Base point/Tangent direction/Items/Rows/Levels/Align items/Z direction/eXit]<eXit>: R
• Enter the number of rows or [Expression] <1>: 2
• Specify the distance between rows or [Total/Expression] <1394.0025>: 1000
• Specify the incrementing elevation between rows or [Expresson] <0.0000>:
• Select grip to edit array or [ASsociative/Method/Base point/Tangent direction/Items/Rows/Levels/Align items/Z direction/eXit]<eXit>: X

HOW TO USE POLAR ARRAY COMMAND

Evenly distributes copies of the object in a circular pattern around a center point or axis of rotation
(same as the ARRAYPOLAR command).

• Command: AR ARRAY
• Select objects: Specify opposite corner: 30 found
• Select objects:
• Enter array type [Rectangular/PAth/POlar] <Rectangular>: PO
• Type = Polar  Associative = Yes
• Specify center point of array or [Base point/Axis of rotation]:
• Select grip to edit array or [ASsociative/Base point/Items/Angle between/Fill angle/ROWs/Levels/ROTate items/eXit]<eXit>: I
• Enter number of items in array or [Expression] <6>: 4
• Select grip to edit array or [ASsociative/Base point/Items/Angle between/Fill angle/ROWs/Levels/ROTate items/eXit]<eXit>: X

Note: Each array element is referred to as an array component, and it can be made up of several items. Define a block as the array’s source object. To function as the direction in a path array, you must either have a line, polyline, 3D polyline, spline, helix, arc, circle, or ellipse.