8

Spacing Tool 441
7.
Under Context, choose Edge to specify that
spacing be determined from the facing edges of
each object’s bounding box, or choose Centers
to specify that spacing be determined from the
center of each object’s bounding b ox.
8. Tur n on Fol low if you w ant to ali g n th e pivot
points of the distr ibuted objects to the tangent
of the spline.
9. UnderTypeofObject,selectthetypeofobject
to output (copy,
instance (p age 3–1051) ,or
reference (page 3–1096) ).
10. Click Apply.
Inter face
The Spacing tool gives you a choice of two basic
methods for setting spacing: using a path, or
specifying endpoints explicitly.
Pick Path—Clickthis,andthenclickasplineinthe
viewport to use as the path. The software uses the
spline as the path along which to distribute objects.
Pick Points—Clickthis,andthenclickastartand
an end to define a path on the construction grid.
You can also use object snap to specify points in
space. The software uses these points to create a
spline as the path along which to distribute objects.
When you’re finished with the Spacing tool, the
software deletes the spline.
Parameters grou p
Co unt—The number of objects to distribute.
Spacing—Specifies the space in units between the
objects. Thesoftwaredeterminesthisspacing
based on whether you chose
Edges or Centers .
Start Offset—The number of units specifying an
offset from the sta rt of the path. Clicking the lock
icon locks the start offset value to the spacing value
and maintains the count.
End Of fset—The number of units specifying an
offset from the end of the path. Clicking the lock
icon locks the end offset value to the spacing value
and maintains the count.
Distr ibution dr op-down lis t—This list contains a
number of options for how to distribute the objects
alongthepath,asfollows:
•
Free Center—Distributes equally spaced objects
along a straight line toward the end point of the
path, beginning at the start of the path. A spline
or a pair of points defines the path. You specify
the number of objects and the spacing.
•
Div ide Evenl y, Objects a t Ends —Distributes
objects along a spline. The group of objects
is centered at the middle of the spline. The
Spacing tool evenly fills the spline with the
number of objects you specify and determines
the amount of space between objects. When
you specify more than one object, there are
always objects at the ends of the spline.