Array between to points that are streched in X and Y axis

[UltimateDS]

Hello there, thank you very much for your support. 

I hope I manage to explain what I am trying to achive and the challenges I am facing. 

I have set this grid with the insertion point and and end point at the end of the parapeter distance.

The grid will have and offset at both start and end points that are in X and Y axis. The parameter "offset" has strech 4 actions associated R0 Y, R0X, R1 Y and R1 X that moves the 4 points I highlight in red towards the arrows.

Then the parameter R0 and R1 have streches to move only the highlithed points.

The goal is now to be able to array the points in equal distances from the right of R0 and the left of R1 as shown below, "a" would be the distance from R0 and R1.

For that I have created distance 2, with and offset set to eq, and associated the parameter to the different streches that should affect the parameter.

If I dont chain action the parameter Distance2, the strech would work properly but the array will not update until I click on the arrow for Distance2. In other words, it would strech but it would not array.

If I chain the action, then the array would update automaticly but if offset is modified, then the array would not work as expected, see below: It would not maintain the horizontal.

This is one problem that I have been trying to solve with no success.

On my task to solve the problem, I came across with one alternative that would even improve my block further that is the ability to control the array centres by creating user parameter for the array centres and calculate the number of arrays required so I can modify the number of arrays if required.

If we could implement aswell this on the block it would be ideal.

I attached both blocks. Do you think it would be possible to achive all I am asking?

Thank you very much for your help and support. 

[j.palmeL29YX]

The description sounds a little confus (for me) and if I look at the images it doesn't really help to understand what you want to achieve.

Please show us your initial situation and one or two examples of the expected result. (manually drawn sketches would be ok). Which dimensions do you want to be able to change, where do you want grips to manipulate which of the dimensions of the blockreferences, what about the array(s) [number of items, distance between items, length overall]? Don't worry about HOW that can be done - first we must understand WHAT you want to achieve. 

[UltimateDS]

Thanks for your answer.

I have done a sketch to show what I am trying to achieve:

The circled cross is the insertion point, the whole block will have a strech parameter where the red arrow is to control the full lenght.

When the full lenght changes, points 3 and 4 moves left or right with the strech. (Pink square)

Dimentions X and Y controls the offset for the points 1 and 2 in the X and Y direction, value for X is the same as Y. (red square)

Dimentions X' and Y' controls points 4 and 3 and the values are the same as X and Y but the X will be in the oposite direction, towards the left instead of the right. (blue square)

This will be a parameter that will be set on the properties and doesnt need an arrow to drag.

Dimention "a" controls the distance between 1 and 2, moving points 2 to the left or right. (green square)

Dimention "c" controls the distance between 3 and 4, moving points 4 to the left or right. (orange square) 

Both will be a parameter that will be set on the properties but wouldnt hurt to have an arrow to drag.

Dimention "b" is the distance between 2 and 4 that needs an array for the points "2" to infill the whole space that I name 2'. 

Dimention "d" controls the red points in the Y axis.

If full lenght is streched, "b" is increases in lenght hence I have more 2'.

If "a" changes in value, then points 2 changes in the X axis, changing also the "b" dimention, affecting the number of arrays. 

Same occurs with "c", that will move points 4, increasing or decresing "b".

If "Y" changes, then it also changes "X", that will move 1,2,3 and 4, increasing or decresing "b" and affecting the array. 

My last coment on the OP was that, if I can calculate the number of arrays based on a set array centres, then I would make the block even better. 

I hope I am not making even more confusing now. 

[j.palmeL29YX · Accepted solution]

Attached you find a first attempt for block test-pa.

Let me know if I understood your request right.

What I not understand: "calculate the number of arrays based on a set array centres". Can you explain more detailed (or say it with other words; my knowledge of English is not as good as I'd like to be) what you whish or need?

[UltimateDS]

This is great! You are a star!

Could you explain how is working?

I understand Distance1 is linked to "Move1" that moves all down, could it be changed to an stretch?

"Strech" and "Strech1" moves horizontally due to the angle offset. 

How did you make the array to strech? I belive you created a construction line that streches with distance 3 and 4? 

Reagarding what I was asking for the distance between the arrays, you have sorted it also. It is just adding an user parameter and then linking the column spacing to this parameter.

I have one more request though. I will also need to two lines associated to the arrays:

The first one, will connect the points and will extend up to the initial reference line. (In blue).

The second will have the same lenght as distance 2. (in red)

Not sure how I can add lines that are variable in lenght to an array if it is not an action parameter.

[j.palmeL29YX]

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@UltimateDS wrote:

Reagarding what I was asking for the distance between the arrays, you have sorted it also. It is just adding an user parameter and then linking the column spacing to this parameter.

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Ok. before reading this last post I guessed, perhaps you want the array centered so that the remaining gap (see the 3rd image in your first post) is symmetrical placed on the right and the left . That I realized in the block in the here attached block "test-pa centered".

Additional I created an User parameter "Space" (also visible in the properties panel) to be able to change the distance between the items to any value.

You can do the same in the first above posted block too, if you like that more. 

"I understand Distance1 is linked to "Move1" that moves all down, could it be changed to an stretch?"

Of course you can use a stretch action instead, but why should we do? There is nothing to stretch ... (?)

"How did you make the array to strech? I belive you created a construction line that streches with distance 3 and 4? "

I didn't use array actions, but ArrayPath's. These arrays are not manipulated by any move or stretch actions. Only the horizontal (construction) lines are moved and stretched. The arrays follow their assoziated path while changing. 

"Not sure how I can add lines that are variable in lenght to an array if it is not an action parameter." 

Not possible!

That's one of the big limitations in dynamic blocks: If you use the "normal" arrays (Rectangular or Path or ...) the array is not assoziated to its source object(s). You can the source manupulate however you want (move, change dimensions or geometry, even delete. In my files you will find no source object of the arrays, I deleted all), the array itself will not follow such modifications.

If you urgently need the lines you must use array actions - with other limitations (e.g. you can't use an user parameter to change the distance of the array's items). 

It's like in real life, you can't have everything   😞

[UltimateDS]

Thanks for the reply. Sorry I took long to answer again. I have been playing with the block to modify and include other items I am trying to achieve. I thought I would be able to do it on my own instead of bothering you but I failed on my attempt.

The array thing was the first part of the block. I was using crosses for simplicity.

Next to the crosses, there will be also lines that would strech so the lenght is from the insertion line up to the bottom cross. In other words, the leng of the "line 1" would be the sum of distance 1 and distance 2.

This "line 1" is repeated with the array at the same centres. 

There will be also a second line, name it "line 2". This line lenght will be only equal to distance 2 and will repeat every other array center distance. 

To add a bit more complexity. We need a third line, this one is parallel to the block, at the end of distance 2, lenght will be equal to the array centres, and will repeat every a certain amount of  of item spacings. 

Then we also need two lines that streches from the first to the last point. These would be "lines 4"

Ideally, we should be able to control where lines 2 and 3 starts, in case we need to move them to the next item, for example, instead of starting on the second, starting on the first or the third. 

Sorry for havingnot share this at the beggining, I really though I only needid a bit of help at the beggining but I got stuck.

Thank you very much for your help. 

[j.palmeL29YX]

A first question: 

Is there a defined, known range for the min and max length of the lines? Can you say which minimum and maximum we can expect for the lengths of Distance1 and Distance2? 

If not, then I don't see no way to solve the issue. 

[UltimateDS]

Distance 1 would range between 0 and 1500

Distance 2 between 150 and 2000

[j.palmeL29YX]

Oh no, that's too much. My thoughts were to create two or three (or four ...) overlapping arrays and then move them (vertically) individually like a teleskope - but in this case that would need to many such overlapping arrays. 

Sorry. 

[UltimateDS]

No, that wouldn't work as those would need to be one line not several of them.

Would not be possible to replace the move actions for streches and using an array action instead of a path array for the intermediate items? I left the block I tried to create in the attached CAD. but the lines gets moved when changing distance 1 instead of streched.

Also the array would go strech longer than what I wanted.

[j.palmeL29YX · Accepted solution]

Sorry. I've been riding the wrong horse all this time. Of course we can use an array action (instead of my PathArray). 

In the attatched test_pa3.dwg you find a block "test_3", which solves ( I hope) the arraying of the vertical lines. 

If that's ok for you, we have to add the array for the horizontal lines. Unfortunately I do not yet full understand what you want/need. Would you please explain again detailed what you want to achieve

[UltimateDS]

Works great! 

I am now playing with it to see if I can modify myself for the last bits on my own but first I have to figure uot how you have set all the parameters and learn from you.

Again, Thank you very much for your help and support!

[j.palmeL29YX]

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@UltimateDS wrote:

... if I can modify myself for the last bits on my own

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and if you have further questions - don't hesitate to ask again, you're welcome 😉 

[UltimateDS]

The block is progressing very well. Thanks for your help. 

I have another question that might be offtopic:

Is it possible within the blocks to define a parameter from a promp?

Say, I insert the block, I want "Distance 1" to be something I can write (or graphicly define between two points), instead of having to first insert the block and then drag the arrow. 

In my head, the proccess I want to achieve is to have the block on the tool pallete, instert the block, specify insertion point, and with another click, specify the distance between the insertion point and the end point that corresponds to the "Distance 1".

Ideally I would be able to rotate the block by specifying these insert and end point but this is not that important. 

Is there a way of achieveing this?