Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
-ARRAY:
The command-prompt version of the original ARRAY command present
in AutoCAD for the last twenty years. This version only creates what I refer to as
“simple” arrays.
Associative array:
New-in-2012 object type created as a single object from separate
source objects. Associative arrays (think of them as
dynamic
arrays) ignore the
source object layers and are created on the current layer. They can be edited only
in AutoCAD 2012 using the new ARRAYEDIT command and appear as anonymous
blocks in earlier releases.
Non-associative array:
Individual copies of source objects created in regular rect-
angular or polar patterns or along a path using the non-associative option of the
new ARRAY command.
Simple array:
Individual copies of source objects created in regular rectangular or
polar patterns using the -ARRAY command.
The results of simple arrays and non-associative arrays are identical; only the method of
creating them is different.
Here are some of the differences between simple arrays and new, AutoCAD 2012-style as-
sociative arrays:
Simple arrays must be created at the command line by typing -
ARRAY
; to create
an associative or non-associative array, you can type
ARRAY
(without the hy-
phen) or click one of the three Array buttons on the Home tab's Modify panel and
choose the associativity option at the command prompt.
Simple arrays can be either Rectangular (that is, in evenly-spaced rows and
columns) or Polar (evenly arranged around a center point). Associative and non-
associative arrays have a new Path option as well as Rectangular and Polar pat-
terns.
When you array objects with -ARRAY, the source objects are simply copied in rect-
angular or radial patterns — they remain as separate lines or circles or whatever
the original entity type. When you create an associative array, the source objects
are deleted from the drawing and replaced by a new associative array object. Non-
associative arrays behave the same as simple arrays.
When you use -ARRAY on drawing objects, the copies are placed on the same lay-
ers as the source. With the new associative array, the source object layers are ig-
nored, and the new object is placed on whatever layer happens to be current.
Again, non-associative arrays behave the same as simple arrays.
