Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
As you drag your crosshairs along the path, AutoCAD updates the dynamic preview
up to the specified number of instances. AutoCAD next wants to know how you
want the objects spaced along the path:
Specify the distance between items along path or [Divide/Total/Expres-
sion]<Divide evenly along path>:
If you know you want your guests to sit precisely 36 inches apart, you can enter
that value, or you can press Enter to distribute the arrayed source objects with
equal spacing between them.
You now get your last chance to tweak your array before exiting the command.
AutoCAD prompts:
Press Enter to accept or [ASsociative/Base point/Items/Rows/Levels/Align
items/Z direction/eXit]<eXit>:
6. Press Enter to confirm the path array is exactly the way you want it, or type an
option letter to tweak it.
At this point you can type
AS
to change the array from associative to non-associat-
ive. Doing so means the duplicated source objects are independent of each other
and have no relationship with the path curve. You can also change the Items option
to add or remove copies of the source objects, or change the Alignment so all cop-
ies are aligned the same way as the source objects.
Figure 18-2 shows the dining table with a dozen seats placed dynamically using an asso-
ciative path array.
Figure 18-2:
Dinner for twelve — bring on the turkey!
If you work with users of AutoCAD 2011 and earlier, you should choose to
make your arrays non-associative. Otherwise, users of those earlier releases will
have to explode your arrays before they can edit your objects.
