Using the Array Dialog

The Array dialog provides two main control areas where you set the important parameters: Array Transformation and Array Dimensions.

You can set parameters in any order, but in practice it’s useful to start with Array Transformation. This creates the basic building block for the larger array, as defined by Array Dimensions.

These topics discuss specific strategies for using these controls:

Creating Linear Arrays

Creating Circular and Spiral Arrays

Array Transformation

This area lists the active coordinate system and transform center. It’s where you set the transforms that define the first row of the array. You decide here on the distance, rotation, or scale of individual elements, and along what axes. You then repeat this row in other dimensions to produce the finished array.

Move, Rotate, and Scale Transforms

You set Move, Rotate, and Scale parameters along any of the three axes of the current coordinate system.

Move is set in current units. Use a negative value to create the array in the negative direction of the axis.
Rotate is set in degrees. Use a negative value to create the array in a clockwise direction around the axis.
Scale is set as a percentage. 100 percent is full size. Settings below 100 decrease the size, and above 100 increase it.

Incremental and Totals

For each transform, you have the choice of whether to apply the transforms successively to each newly created element in the array or to the overall array. For example, if you set Incremental X Move to 120.0 and Array Dimensions 1D Count to 3, the result is an array of three objects, each of whose transform centers is 120.0 units apart. However, if you set Totals X Move to 120.0 instead, the three elements are spaced 40.0 units apart for a total array length of 120.0 units.

Click arrows on either side of the transform labels to choose between Incremental or Totals.

Incremental and Totals settings are toggles for each transform. When you set a value on one side, the other side is unavailable. However, the unavailable value updates to show the equivalent setting.

Incremental: Parameters set on this side apply to individual objects in the array. Here are examples:

An Incremental Move X setting of 25 specifies a spacing of 25 units on the X axis between centers of arrayed objects.
An Incremental Rotate Z setting of 30 specifies a progressive rotation of 30 degrees on the Z axis for each object in the array. In the finished array, each object is rotated 30 degrees farther than the one before it.

Totals: Parameters set on this side apply to the overall distance, number or degrees, or percentage scale in the array. Here are examples:

A Totals Move X setting of 25 specifies a total distance of 25 units on the X axis between the centers of the first and last arrayed objects.
A Totals Rotate Z setting of 30 specifies a combined rotation of 30 degrees on the Z axis divided equally among every object in the array.

Type of Object

Copy: Creates new array members as copies of the originals.
Instance: Creates new array members as instances of the originals.
Reference: Creates new array members as references of the originals.

For further information, see Overview of Copies, Instances, and References.

Array Dimensions

The Array Dimensions controls determine the number of dimensions used in the array and the spacing between the dimensions.

Count: The number of objects, rows, or layers in each dimension.

1D: One-dimensional arrays form a single line of objects in 3D space, like a line of columns. 1D Count is the number of objects in a row. Spacing for these objects is defined in the Array Transformation area.

A one-dimensional array, with 1D Count=6

2D: Two-dimensional arrays form a layer of objects along two dimensions, like the rows of squares on a chess board. 2D Count is the number of rows in the array.

A two-dimensional array, with 1D Count=7 and 2D Count=4

3D: Three-dimensional arrays form multiple layers of objects in 3D space, like neatly stacked boxes. 3D Count is the number of layers in the array.

A three-dimensional array, with 1D Count=10, 2D Count=6, 3D Count=3

Incremental Row Offsets

These parameters become available when you choose a 2D or 3D array. These are distances along any of the three axes of the current coordinate system.

If you set a Count value for 2D or 3D, but no row offsets, the array is created with overlapping objects. You need to specify at least one offset distance to prevent this.
If some objects appear to be missing from the array, it is possible that some objects have been created exactly on top of other objects in the array. To determine whether this has occurred, use Select By Name to see the full listing of objects in your scene. If objects are on top of one another and you don't want this effect, click Ctrl+Z to undo the array, and try again.