8

472 Chapter 7: Creating Copies and Arrays
A three-dimensional array, with 1D Count= 10, 2D Count=6,
3D Count=3
Incremental Row O ffsets
These parameters become available when you
choose a 2D or 3D array. These are distances along
any of the three axes of the current coordinate
system.
• IfyousetaCountvaluefor2Dor3D,butnorow
offsets, the array is created with overlapping
objects. You need to specify at least one offset
distance to prevent this.
• If some objects appear to be missing from the
array, it is poss ible that some objects have been
created exactly on top of other objects in the
array. To determine whether this has occurred,
use
Select By Name (page 1–77) to see the full
listing of objects in your scene. If objects are
on top of one another and you don’t want this
effect, click CTRL+Z to undo the array, and
try again.
Creati ng Linea r A rr ay s
A linear array is a series of clones along one or
more axes. A linear ar ray can be anything from a
line of trees or cars to a stairway, a picket fence, or
a length of chain. Any scene requir ing repeated
objectsorshapesisacandidateforalineararray.
Examples of linear arrays
For an explanation of interface terms used here,
see
Using the Array Dialog (page 1–470) .For
the basic steps in making an array, see
Array ing
Objects (page 1–468)
.
Cr e at in g Sim p l e L i n e ar A rrays
The simplest 2D linear array is based on moving
asingleobjectalongasingleaxis.Thesearethe
basic choices to make on the Arr ay dia log.
Make these choices in the Array Transformation
group:
•Use
Incremental Move settings where you k now
the spacing you w ant between objects.
•Use
Tot a l s Mov e settings when you know the
overall space or volume you want t he array to
occupy.
• For either of these two types of arrays, enter a
valueforoneaxis.Leavetheothertransforms
at their default values.
Make these choices in the Array Dimensions
group:
•Choose1D.
• Enter a Count value for the number of objects
in the array. The Total In Array field updates
to show you the current total of objects in the
array you are designing.