ArrayPath

Associative

Determines whether an array entity is created or a series of copies of the selected entities.

The default setting is saved by the ARRAYASSOCIATIVITY system variable.

Prompts you:

Create associative array? [Yes/No]<Yes> - (enter an option):

• Yes : An Array entity is created.
• No : A series of copies of the selected entities is created.

Parameters for associative arrays can be specified with parametric expressions set in the Array properties, found in bottom part of the Mechanical Browser, Properties panel, or though the ARRAYEDIT command.

The End offset parameter is available only when the Method = Divide.

Entities making up associative array are modified with the ARRAYEDIT command.

Method

Specifies how to distribute entities along the path. Prompts you:

Enter path method or [Divide/Measure]<Measure> - (choose an option):

• Divide - distributes a specified number of items evenly-spaced along the path
• Measure - places a sufficient number of items along the path, separated by the interval specifie

Base point

Sets the base point of the array. Items are placed relative to the base point. Prompts you:

Enter base point - (specify a point in the drawing)

Tangent direction

Determines how the items are aligned relative to the starting direction of the path. Prompts you:

Select first point of tangent direction vector or [Normal] - (enter an option):

• 2 points - specify two points that define the tangency of the first item relative to the starting direction of the path. Depending on the Align Items setting, the other items are placed parallel to the first item or at the specified tangent direction relative to the direction of the path; see figures below, where the blue arrowhead indicates the tangency direction:
  
• Normal - orients the Z direction of the first item with the starting direction of the path; see figure below:
  

Items

Specifies the number of items or the distance between items, depending on the Method setting.

• Divide method prompts you: (Enter number of items along path <xxx>) - specifies the number of items in the array.
• Method Measure method prompts you: (Enter the distance between items along path <xxx>) - Specify a distance by entering a value or picking two points.

(xxx == maximum number items possible)

Enter number of items or [Fill entire path] <xxx> - (enter an option):

• Enter a number of Items - places items along the entire path at the specified distance. This option allows you to specify a smaller number if you only want to place items along a portion of the path.
• Fill entire path - fills the entire path with items at the given spacing; the number of items changes should the length of the path be modified, such as by grips editing; see below.

Rows

Specifies the number of rows in the array, the distance between them and the incremental elevation. Prompts you:

1. Enter the number of rows <1> - (specify the number of rows)

2. Enter the distance between rows or [Total] <1.0> - (enter an option):

   • Distance - specify the distance between subsequent rows by entering a value or picking two points
   • Total - specify the distance between the first and the last row.

3. Enter the incrementing elevation between rows <0.0> - (defines the increasing or decreasing elevation for each subsequent row.)

Levels

Create 3D arrays by specifying the number and spacing of levels.

Prompts you:

1. Enter the number of levels <1> - (specifies the number of levels)

2. Enter the distance between levels or [Total] <xxx> - (enter an option)
   • Distance - specifies the distance between subsequent levels
   • Total -  specifies the distance between the bottom and the top level

Align items

Specifies whether to align each item tangent to the path's direction. Alignment is relative to the first item’s orientation. Prompts you:

Align arrayed items to path? <Yes>/No> - (enter an option):

• Yes - each item is placed tangent to the path direction; see top figure below
• No- each item keeps the orientation of the first item; see bottom figure below
  

Z direction

Determines whether to maintain the items’ original Z direction or to bank the items naturally along a 3D path. Prompts you:

Maintain Z direction for all items in the array? [Yes/No]<Yes> - (enter an option:)

• Yes - Z-direction (vertical) is maintained; see figure below at left
• No - items banked along the helix; see figure below at right
  

Exit

Accept the current settings and conclude the command.