You can work with angles in AutoCAD arrays either by creating a polar array that distributes items around a point within a specified angle or by modifying the angle of an existing array using its grips.
Modifying the Angle of an Existing Array
If you have already created an array, you can easily adjust its angular orientation or the angle between its items using the array grips. This method is particularly useful for fine-tuning the layout.
To change the axis angle of an array using grips, follow these steps:
- Select the array. Click on the array object in your drawing. This will display its grips.
- Hover over the upper-left triangular grip. When you hover over this grip, a menu of options will appear.
- Click the Axis Angle option from the menu. This option allows you to specify a new angle for the array's axis or distribution.
- At the prompt, enter an angle. You can type the desired angle value on the command line or pick points in the drawing to define the angle.
What is the Axis Angle?
The "Axis Angle" can mean slightly different things depending on the array type:
- Rectangular Array: It often controls the angle of the rows and columns relative to the X-axis.
- Polar Array: It can control the total angle over which the items are distributed (the "Fill Angle") or the rotation of the array axis.
Using the grip menu provides direct control over this specific property of the array.
Creating Arrays with Angular Patterns
A common way to "array an angle" is to use the Polar Array command. This command distributes copies of selected objects in a circular pattern around a center point.
Here's a basic overview of creating a Polar Array with an angular distribution:
- Start the
ARRAYPOLARcommand. - Select the objects you want to array.
- Specify a center point for the array.
- In the Array creation tab on the ribbon (or via command line prompts), you can define:
- Items: The total number of copies (including the original).
- Angle Between: The angle between each item.
- Fill Angle: The total angle over which the items are distributed.
You typically specify either the Items and Fill Angle, or Items and Angle Between, or Angle Between and Fill Angle. AutoCAD calculates the third value automatically.
For example, to distribute 6 items evenly over 180 degrees:
- Items: 6
- Fill Angle: 180
- AutoCAD calculates Angle Between: 30 degrees.
To distribute items every 45 degrees around a full circle:
- Angle Between: 45
- Fill Angle: 360 (or leave blank for a full circle)
- AutoCAD calculates Items: 8.
Using the Polar Array allows you to directly create objects arranged along a specific angular path.
Summary Table: Arraying Angles in AutoCAD
| Method | Description | Key Steps / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Modify Existing (Grips) | Adjusts the angular orientation of an existing array. | Select array > Hover over upper-left triangular grip > Click Axis Angle > Enter angle. |
| Create Polar Array | Distributes objects circularly around a point. | Use ARRAYPOLAR command > Select objects > Specify center point > Define Items and Fill Angle. |
By using either the grip editing method on an existing array or creating a new Polar Array, you can effectively work with angular distributions in your AutoCAD drawings.
