Creating Arrays in AutoCAD 2023: Webcast Q&A

November 21, 2022 Renu Muthoo

Thanks to those of you who attended my webcast about how to create different types of arrays in AutoCAD 2023 on Nov 17, 2022. For those of you who could not attend the live webcast, you can view the on-demand presentation here.

The following are some of the questions that were asked during the webcast and I hope that these answers will explain this feature a little further.

Question: In rectangular array for a classroom, if I need to omit one of the desk/chairs from the array, can that be done? For example, for having an accessible station instead.

Answer: Yes, you can omit one of the items from an array. There are a few ways to achieve this and depends on the end pattern that you want to have.

  • To have control over each item in the array individually, you can clear (deselect) Associative in the Array Creation contextual tab. This can be accomplished at the time of creating the array, if you know that you need to control each item individually. You can then remove the individual item as the group is no longer an array.

Graphical user interface, application

Description automatically generated

  • The other method is to keep the array associative such that you can make adjustments to the array as a single object. Associative arrays maintain their relationships and makes it very easy to modify the array pattern, spacing and location of the array as a whole. In such a situation, you can delete one of the items while modifying the array. After creating the associative array, click on the array to display its grips and the Array contextual tab (note that it is different than the Array Creation contextual tab). Press and hold the <Ctrl> key on the keyboard and click on the item to remove. It selects that item from the array. Press the <Delete> key on the keyboard to remove the item from the array. If you click on the array, you will notice that the associative array is still intact.

Diagram

Description automatically generated           Shape

Description automatically generated with medium confidence

  • If you want to replace one of the items in an associative array with a different item, use the Icon

Description automatically generated with medium confidence  (Replace Item) option. This is also available while modifying the array.
    1. Click on the array to display its grips and the Array contextual tab. Select the Icon

Description automatically generated with medium confidence  (Replace Item) option.

Graphical user interface, application

Description automatically generated

    1. Select the replacement object and its base point.

Diagram

Description automatically generated

    1. Click on the item you want to replace.

Diagram

Description automatically generated

 

Question: How do you create a path array along a multi-curve polyline?

Answer: Following are the steps to create a path array along the multi-curve spline:

  1. Select  (Path array) from the Home tab>Modify panel.

Graphical user interface, application, Word

Description automatically generated

  1. Select the objects to array and press <Enter>.

A picture containing icon

Description automatically generated

  1. Select the path curve and press <Enter>.

A picture containing icon

Description automatically generated

  1. The objects are arrayed along the curved path.

A picture containing diagram

Description automatically generated

  1. You can use the Measure/Divide options to either maintain the object spacing that you have specified (Measure) or evenly spacing the objects along the length of the path (Divide).

Graphical user interface, application, Word

Description automatically generated

Question: How do we get the Array creation ribbon?

Answer: The Array creation tab is a contextual tab and is displayed only after you are in the Array command and have performed the initial prompts, such as selected the objects to be arrayed (for Rectangular array) and additionally selected the path (for Path array) or the center point (for Polar array).

Question: Which array can be used to create spiral steps?

Answer: You can use the Path array to create steps in a spiral staircase. You will first draw a helix and then array the stair steps along the helix path. As in 2D, there are 3D Array commands where you have the options of creating Rectangular, Polar, or Path type of array.

Thanks again to those that attended my webcast where I provided a short overview of the different types of Array commands. As mentioned, the information was pulled from our AutoCAD 2023 Fundamentals learning guide which is available for you on our ASCENT eStore.

About the Author

Renu Muthoo

Learning Content Developer<br><br>Renu is a learning content developer for AutoCAD and AutoCAD Toolsets, Autodesk 3ds Max, and other Autodesk products. She has over 25 years of experience working with Autodesk products and specializes in AutoCAD and design visualization software. She enjoys sharing her knowledge via blogs and webcasts and uses her instructional design expertise to create effective learning content for Autodesk software users. Renu holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering.

Follow on Linkedin More Content by Renu Muthoo
Previous Article
What’s my best learning path to get started with Inventor CAM?
What’s my best learning path to get started with Inventor CAM?

Find out the best way to get started with Inventor CAM from the author of ASCENT's Inventor learning guides.

Next Article
5 Top Tips for Writing Instructions
5 Top Tips for Writing Instructions

For instructional writing to be effective, the steps must be clear and easy to understand plus knowing you...

×

Sign up for email updates

First Name
Last Name
Country
Thank you!
Error - something went wrong!