Creating an array of objects

The "Array" command in AutoCAD is used to make multiple copies of objects. Although you can use the copy command to duplicate objects, the array command is more flexible and precise. One advantage of using the array command is that it allows you to copy objects in a defined angle and exact number of copies. Therefore, you can create array in various pattern. For example, you can show multiple objects in a row, column, or irregular pattern such as a spiral. Let’s look at a few examples below:

To create an array of objects follow the steps below.

Rectangular Array

1. Type Array in the command line or select  from the modify toolbar.

2. Select the object you would like to array.

3. Input the number of rows. (negative number for downward array).

4. Input the number of columns. (negative number will point array to the left).

5. Pick or input the distance for the Row offset.

6. Pick or input the distance for the Column offset.

7. Enter the Angle for the array. (Use the default 0 degree).

8. Select the Preview button to see the sample array before you hit the Ok button. You can accept the array or modify it. (Optional step).

See the figure below for visual step by step instructions.

Polar array

1. Type Array in the command line or select  from the modify toolbar.

2. Select the object you would like to array.

3. Enter or select the center point of rotation for the object.

4. Select a method of array. (3 methods to choose from see terms definitions below).

5. Enter the number of items to array. (Methods 1 and 2).

6. Enter the array angle. (Methods 1 and 3).

7. Enter the angle between the objects. (Methods 2 and 3).

8. Make sure to check “Rotate items as copied” if you would like to copy the objects as selected.

9. For Object base point use the default selected. (Optional step).

10. Select the Preview button to see the sample array before you hit the Ok button. You can accept the array or modify it. (Optional step).

See the figure below for visual step by step instructions.

Terms definitions:

Rows and columns: where you enter the number of rows and columns of objects. There is a maximum number of rows and columns that can be entered. If you want to override that number you can always do that by typing (setenv “MaxArray “####”) in the command prompt. Where ### is the new maximum number you would like.

Method of array: There are three (3) ways you can array objects.

(1) Total number of items & Angle to fill. This method will automatically calculate the angle between the items based on the number of items and angle to fill.

(2) Total number of items & Angle between items. This will automatically calculate the angle to fill the array based on the number of items.

(3) Angle to fill & Angle between items. This will automatically calculate the number of items for you based on your input angle to fill and angle between the items.

(4) Base point: is the reference point where AutoCAD will rotate the object. By default, depending on the shape, the base point is already set. For example, a circle, an ellipse, or an arc, they all have a default base point at the center, but you can manually specify a different point.

XREF in AutoCAD

Xref is the most useful command from AutoCAD. If you are going to use the software for work or you are looking to advance further, you will need to know how to use the xref command. It is absolutely necessary. And I will show you why.

Xref is used to cross reference plans and objects because you want to minimize repetitions, maximize consistency, save time and increase productivity.

Now, let us become more practical here. Let us assume you have three drawings. I will call them sheet 1, sheet 2 and sheet 3 (see images below).

Sheet 1 shows a rectangle. But it could be anything else. The two other sheets have circles, etc., but they both have one thing in common: a rectangle. So instead of drawing that rectangle twice, it would be wise to draw it once and xref it to both drawings. Some of you might think: What if I draw it once and then copy it to each drawing?

If you copy the drawing you will have to copy it again if you want to make changes to that rectangle. Let us say you want to make it larger or want to chamfer the edges. Do you want to copy again? Or do you want to just change the xref and that is it.

The idea here is to reduce steps and time by drawing anything in common once. And that is when the xref comes in handy.

There are two types of xrefs: Overlay and Attachment.

Overlay: only brings what you draw inside that xref sheet. No other dependent. In other words: if you were to look at a tree diagram, it only goes one level deep (see image above on the left).

Attachment xrefs bring unlimited dependent xrefs and levels (see image above on the right).

Steps:

1. Type XREF at the command line to bring the dialogue box.
2. Right click and select Attach DWG.
3. Browse for the drawing you want to xref.
4. Select Open.
5. Pick Overlay or Attachment.
6. For the path, choose Full path for this tutorial.
7. For insertion point, scale and rotation: leave them unchecked for this tutorial.
8. Click OK and close the dialogue box.

Your xref drawing should be inserted inside the current drawing like the above image.

Turning off SHX in Autocad

I found this to be really annoying. Every time you create a PDF file from your document an SHX text is showing up all over and you cannot even read the PDF. 

If you need to turn it off use the command EPDFSHX or PDFSHX. At the command prompt make sure the value is set to 0.

AutoCAD Constraint

If you are working with a CAD file and you keep getting this annoying constraint symbol which also slows down AutoCAD when you select any object here is how to remove it:

Right-click on the symbol, either select "Hide All Constraints" to hide all the constraints or choose "Constraint Bar Settings" to individually pick which constraint to hide. The constraint bar settings will show you all the available settings that you can modify.

NB: Choosing "Hide all constraint" will hide them once but it will not prevent them from showing up again. To completely hide them use the Constraint Bar setting and select "Infer geometric constraints".

AutoCAD Menu bar

Here is a quick tip for enabling your Menu bar is to type MENUBAR in your command area and set the value to one (1). A value of zero (0) will turn the Menu bar off.

   

You can also right-click on the Menu bar and deselect it to turn it off.

menu bar

AutoCAD Base Drawing

Have you ever worked with multiple drawings that have xrefed ones among them and found that they are not lining up? 

You are working on a drawing that has multiple floors, for example. When you xref one floor to the other and they are not lined up. It could be that they were not drawn at the same origin or it could be that their base points are not the same. 

In that case, you can use the BASE command to change the origin of your drawings. Go to your command line and type BASE. At the prompt, make sure the x, y, z, coordinates are all set to Zero (0,0,0) otherwise enter (0,0,0). 

Do that for all drawings involved. That will line them up.

Show or Hide Raster Image Boundaries

The clipping boundaries of a raster image can be controlled in AutoCAD, whether you want to display or hide them in a drawing. 

To show or hide Raster Image Boundaries on your drawing:

1. Go to the Modify menu, on the drop menu select Object, > Image > Frame.
2. Enter " 0" to hide the image boundaries;  "1 " to show and plot the image boundaries; " 2" to show image boundaries but not to plot them.
3. For the newest AutoCAD version, you can just type "Frame" at the command prompt.

Image with boundaries

        Image without boundaries

 

3. You can also just type "Frame" at the command line.