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456 Chapter 6: Transforms: Moving, Rotating, and Scaling Objec ts
5.
Specify the number of objects to distribute by
setting the value of Count.
6. Depending on the spacing option you choose,
adjust the spac ing and offsets.
7. Under Context, choose Edge to specify that
spacing be determined from the facing edges of
each object’s bounding box, or choose Centers
to specify that spacing be determined from the
center of each object’s b ounding box.
8. Turn on Follow if you w ant to alig n the pivo t
points of the distributed objects to the t a ngent
of the spline.
9. UnderTypeofObject,selectthetypeofobject
to output (copy, instance (page 3–957) ,or
reference (page 3–1002)).
10. Click Apply.
Inter face
TheSpacingtoolgivesyouachoiceoftwobasic
methods for setting spacing: using a path, or
specifying endpoints explicitly.
Pick Path—Clickthis,andthenclickasplineinthe
viewport to use as the path. The software uses the
spline as the path along which to distribute objects.
Pick Points—Clickthis,andthenclickastartand
an end to defin e a path on the construction grid.
You can also use object snap to specify points in
space. The software uses these points to create a
spline as the path along which to distribute objects.
When you’re finished with the Spacing tool, the
software deletes the spline.
Parameters group
Co unt—The number of objects to distribute.
Spacing—Specifies the space in units between the
objects. Thesoftwaredeterminesthisspacing
based on whether you chose Edges or Centers.
Start Offset—The number of units specify ing an
offset from the start of the path. Clicking the lo ck
icon locks the start offset value to the spacing value
and maintains the count.
End Offset—The number of units specifying an
offset from the end of the path. Clicking the lock
icon locks the end offset value to the spacing value
and maintains the count.
Distr ibution drop-down l ist—This list cont ains a
number of options for how to distribute the objects
alongthepath,asfollows:
•
Free Center—Distributes equally spaced objects
along a straig ht line toward the end point of the
path, beginning at the start of the path. A spline
or a pair of points defines the path. You specify
the number of objects and the spacing.
•
Div ide E venly, Obj ects a t E nds—Distributes
objects along a spline. The group of objects
is centered at the middle of the spline. The
Spacing tool evenly fi l ls the spline with the