topic Re: Array of rectangles not consistently placed on array path. in AutoCAD Forum

Array of rectangles not consistently placed on array path.

Michael.PopescuEUCKD — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 17:44:43 GMT

Hello,

I have a tray that has a 90 degree bend, and the bars of the tray need to follow the curve. Naturally, the curve has a consistent width, so I would need the midpoints of each bar to lay on the path. However, it is looking like this screenshot. Notice how the midpoints of each bar do not lay on the path, even though I the setting to align objects on the path is selected.

I can make it work manually for now, but its a pain, and I'd rather have a more automated process for this in the future. Any help is appreciated!

Re: Array of rectangles not consistently placed on array path.

Kent1Cooper — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 18:10:04 GMT

What happens if you make the bar a Block, with its insertion point in the overall middle of it [not the midpoint of an edge]? You could then choose to use MEASURE or DIVIDE instead of ARRAY, if either will give you a better result.

Or, what happens if you isolate the Arc part of the path mid-line [assuming that's a Polyline?], and use just the Arc as the Arraying path, with the initial Block having its insertion point on the startpoint of the Arc?

Re: Array of rectangles not consistently placed on array path.

nrz13 — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 18:10:36 GMT

I think you might need to share your drawing. It works as expected for me when I tried it.

Re: Array of rectangles not consistently placed on array path.

Michael.PopescuEUCKD — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 19:14:34 GMT

Here is a drawing with the section attached with the pline arc and rectangle block.

Re: Array of rectangles not consistently placed on array path.

Michael.PopescuEUCKD — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 19:19:05 GMT

i tried with the rectangle being a block with insertion point in the center, and both measure and divide give the same results.

however, i tried with just an arc, and it worked correctly. I'll try some more troubleshooting.

Re: Array of rectangles not consistently placed on array path.

nrz13 — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 15:23:00 GMT

Edit: Yours works for me if I start the array at the beginning of the path (move your block over to the start of the polyline). I'm not sure why it would make a difference.

Original Post:

Nothing's immediately jumping out to me right now in your drawing (I can try to look at it more later).

Here's my test drawing to see if that offers any insights (the dimensions are obviously different since I drew it visually from a screenshot). The one on the left was a rectangular polyline set on the path array; the one on the right uses a block. Both worked for me.

Re: Array of rectangles not consistently placed on array path.

Michael.PopescuEUCKD — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 15:14:54 GMT

I think you're on to something.

i started the array on the first point of the arc, and this happened. It looks like the placement of the original item does matter. I tried placing the block on the start of the pline and it worked perfectly. Thanks you!

Re: Array of rectangles not consistently placed on array path.

nrz13 — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 15:21:36 GMT

LOL, I don't usually have a need to use the path array, so I don't have a lot of familiarity with it, but that sure looks like a bug. Maybe there's some reasoning behind it, but I can't imagine anyone ever wanting that result...

Glad we were able to find a solution, at least.