8

Arraying Objects 469
you can get with Array would be laborious or
impossible us ing SHIFT+Clone techniques.
Aone-dimensionalarray
Cr e at in g a n Arr a y
This is the general procedure. For more details,
see these topics:
Using the Ar r ay Dialog (page 1–470)
Creating Linear Arrays (page 1–472)
Creating Circular and Spiral Arrays (page 1–474)
To create an array:
1.
Select one or more objects to be in the array.
2. Choose a coordinate system and transform
center.
3. Click Array on the Array flyout, or
choose Array from Tools menu.
The
Array dialog (page 1–435) appears.
Note: TheArrayflyoutisontheExtrastoolbar,
which is off by default. You can toggl e display of
this toolbar by right-clicking an empty spot on
the main toolbar and choosing Ax is Constraints
from the
Customize Display r ight-click menu
(page 3–831)
.
4. Set ar r ay parameters on this dialog , then click
OK.
Reuse of Array Settings
Generally you should approach Array creation as
an iterative process. The dialog settings are not
interactive, so you get feedback only after creating
the ar r ay. By rev ising the current s ettings and
repeating the array, you develop a solution that
meets your needs.
After creating an array and checking its result,
you can undo the array using Edit menu > Undo
Create Array or CTRL+Z.Thisleavestheoriginal
selection set in place.
Repeating an Array
When you create an array, object select ion moves
to the last copy or set of copies in the ar r ay. By
simply repeating current sett ings, you create a
seamless continuation of the orig inal array.
During a session, 3ds Max maintains all the dia log
settings for your current array.
Arraysettingsaresavedonlyduringthecurrent
session, not with the file. Be sure you’ve finished
an arr ay before you quit 3ds Max.
Genera l Considera tions
When you create an array, keep these points in
mind:
• Array is relative to the current viewport settings
forcoordinatesystemandtransformcenter.
• Axis constraints do not apply, because Array
allows you to specif y tr ansforms along a ll axes.
• You can animate ar r ay creation. By changing
thedefaultAnimatepreferencessetting,you
can activate all the transform center buttons,
allowing direct animation around either the
selection or coordinate center, as well as local
pivot. For information about changing the
default setting, see the procedure,
To c h a n g e
the default axis w hi le animating (page 1–467)
.