Polar (Polar Array)

Polar places copies of items around a circle or part of a circle. It is simply a replication of graphics in a circular pattern.

An example might be a circular table and chairs arrangement. You could draw one chair, then make a polar array to produce several copies arranged regularly around the table.

Select the graphics to be copied.

Click CAD > Polar to see available options.

Select the number of copies required, whether they are rotated, whether to place around a whole circle or just a selected part of it.

The range for Number of copies is 1 to 720.

Click OK.

Now snap or type a coordinate to use as a reference point. It is this point on each copy which will be used to position the items around the circle.

After snapping or typing an initial position you will see the selected items arranged in a circle around the cursor.

Move the cursor until the array is in the required position then click a position for the centre of the array.

You can press Enter at any time to re-enter the dialog information.

Example:

  1. If required, construct the graphics to be copied or alternatively place a symbol.
  2. Select the graphics to be copied.
  3. Select Polar (CAD > Arrays).
  4. In the Polar Array dialog specify the criteria for constructing the copies:

    • The Number of copies field is the total and includes the original copy.
    • The Rotate Copies option means the copies will be rotated as they are placed around the circular array (as in the illustration above) or to maintain the original orientation.
    • the Whole Circle option means the copies will be created round a complete circle (as in the illustration above), or to have them created around just part of the circle (in which case you select the Start Angle at which the copies start and the End Angle at which they end).
  5. Click a position on the graphics to be copied. This is the reference point by which the copies will be placed around the circular array.
  6. Click a position for the centre of the circular array. The copies will be arranged around this centre point.