Create a rough draft of Dial layout, using big circle/ 60 sided polygon, with little tangent circles, centered at each vertex, (or centered at midpoint of each side of polygons.)

Decide on Size of numbers, center, font, etc.

-Brian

This isn't “scripting” it with some type of an Array increment pattern, but i would probably just move towards “flow” for this.

UnwrapCurve your arc
Array extent count your dash
Type out text
Flow to arc

[Edit] Haven't tested yet. You may have to do some type of 360 incremental rotation on the text, so it remains vertically aligned as it rotates around the arc. I think there is a plugin that can do this as a pre flow op on typed text.

I agree that Flow is worth a try.
I came across a similar Rhino "flow" example during google searches.
There might be distortion issues?, and alignment/spacing issues?, and need to get the base line length right.

MoI Text command can easily generate the string of number geometric objects, ( 1 2 3 ... 60 ), to use flow with. (If spacings will work)

- Brian

I agree Flow would be a good approach, I haven't tried Elephant so I don't know if the Flow command can be used with it.

I set the numbers in Illustrator Tabs using unwrapped circle.

This looks excellent.

I wonder if there is any tiny distortion in the numbers?

- Brian

"I wonder if there is any tiny distortion in the numbers?"

Not if you check Rigid in the Flow command. In this case even without using Rigid the distortion is minor.

Hi,
flow works ok in nodeditor.
Cheers
Barry



Updated:
Tidied up into a Macro allowing text rotation and easier to understand.

Update 2
New Nod File Clock Dial 2m
Modified again to speedup dial rotation.

Thank you guys - most impressive response and (very) helpful. Suspect I am going to have to spend some time climbing a very steep learning curve!
This software is awesome in its power, but as Frenchy says you do need daily training!!
In particular thank you Barry for the .nod file. It looks like it does what I want - just have to work out what all the knobs and sliders do !!
Regards

Hi Barry,


Excellent work on the node editor! Can the node be modified for text rotation? I made this perpetual calendar. The Cad/Cam software being used was difficult to get it right.

Thank you,

Wayne

Hi Wayne,
see update have tidied up the nod into a Macro so text & dial rotation for alignment are adjustable.
Cheers
Barry

Nice result Wayne! Really like your design.

Hi Barry-H,

Thanks for sharing your Node.
But I've got a quick question for you:
How to change the starting number? for example how to change it to 1 instead of 0?

Best,
Psygorn

Hi Psygorn,
open the macro and find the progression node and set the base to 1 instead of 0.
Cheers
Barry

Tanx! :-)