Draft CircularArray

Description
The Draft CircularArray command creates an array from a selected object by placing copies along concentric circumferences. The command can optionally create a Link array, which is more efficient than a regular array.

The command can be used on 2D objects created with the Draft Workbench or Sketcher Workbench, but also on many 3D objects such as those created with the Part Workbench, PartDesign Workbench or Arch Workbench.



Usage
See also: Draft Snap.


 * 1) Optionally select one object.
 * 2) There are several ways to invoke the command:
 * 3) * Press the button.
 * 4) * Select the option from the menu.
 * 5) The  task panel opens. See Options for more information.
 * 6) If you have not yet selected an object: select one object.
 * 7) Enter the required parameters in the task panel.
 * 8) To finish the command do one of the following:
 * 9) * Pick a point in the 3D view for the.
 * 10) * Press.
 * 11) * Press the button.

Options

 * Enter the to specify the distance between the circular layers, and between the center and the first circular layer.
 * Enter the to specify the distance between the elements on the same circular layer. Must be larger than zero.
 * Enter the . The element at the center counts as one layer. Must be at least . The maximum that can be entered in the task panel is, but higher values are possible by changing the property of the array.
 * Enter the value. This number determines how the elements are distributed. A value of, for example, results in a pattern with three equal 120° pie segments. Larger values for the  and the  result in fewer or even no elements on the inner layers.
 * Pick a point in the 3D view, note that this will also finish the command, or type coordinates for the . The rotation axis of the array will pass through this point. It is advisable to move the pointer out of the 3D view before entering coordinates.
 * Press the button to reset the  to the origin.
 * If the checkbox is checked overlapping elements in the array are fused. This does not work for Link arrays.
 * If the checkbox is checked a Link array instead of a regular array is created. A Link array is more efficient because its elements are App Link objects.
 * Press or the  button to abort the command.

Preferences
See also: Preferences Editor and Draft Preferences.


 * To change the number of decimals used for the input of coordinates and distances:.

Properties
See Draft OrthoArray.

Scripting
See also: Autogenerated API documentation and FreeCAD Scripting Basics.

To create a circular array use the method  of the Draft module. This method replaces the deprecated method. The method can create Draft OrthoArrays, Draft PolarArrays and Draft CircularArrays. For each array type one or more wrappers are available.

The main method:

The wrapper for circular arrays is:


 * is the object to be arrayed. It can also be the (string) of an object in the current document.
 * and are the radial and tangential distances between the elements.
 * is the number of circular layers in the pattern, the original object counts as the first layer.
 * is an integer used in some calculations that affect the way the elements are distributed around the circumferences. Usual values are from 1 to 6. Higher values are not recommended and will make the elements in the inner layers disappear.
 * and are vectors that describe the direction of the axis of rotation, and a point through which that axis passes.
 * If is  the created elements are App Links instead of regular copies.
 * is returned with the created array object.

Example: