I apologize if this eats someone's time for something obvious. But I went over the documentation and could not figure it out.

I want to create a circular array of the selected object, but it does not align to the disc and it rotates it when steps are at 0. What am I not seeing? It's v4.

ps. I got what I wanted using Array along curve (using the inscribed circle) but I am still curious...

Hi nameless,
Please post a .3dm file.

I suspect that you are not using the "correct" centerpoint for the circular array?

- Brian

Hi nameless,

You should have a look to the c-plane tool to temporally orient the model before using the circular array.

Hi Brian,

I am attaching a .3dm with a similar situation. I am slowly realizing that a single point does not define the actual axis I am looking for. So when I picked the circ. array center at 3d view, it just connected the point to the camera to define an axis, instead of guessing what was in my mind :))

Hi PaQ,

That was golden as it brought c-plane tool to my attention. I had read about it in the documentation, but somehow never used it. Indeed, it creates an array after alignment. I was stupidly using the orient command to camera view (which messes with objects position obviously).

Great stuff :) Thank you both!

Hi nameless, so originally the array circular command did align itself to a plane's orientation in this situation.

However, because it can be used in some more complex situations that type of operation can cause problems, which you can see on this thread here:
http://moi3d.com/forum/index.php?webtag=MOI&msg=3022.1

That's the reason why array circular is more strict about only aligning itself to the full construction plane instead of on to snapped-on geometry unlike the drawing commands for example. So yes if you want to do a circular array around some spot not aligned to the x/y/z axes you set the cplane there before doing that. Setting the cplane makes a more complete alignment to that orientation for all operations, including relocating the ortho views to be relative to that location.

If you want to however you can modify the array circular command script so that it will have that other behavior and align to a snapped on plane when picking the center point in the 3D view.

To do that, edit the file ArrayCircular.js in the commands folder, and find the line that says:

        var pointpicker = ui.createPointPicker();
        if ( !GetPoint( pointpicker ) )
            return;

and insert a new line in between there so it looks like this:

        var pointpicker = ui.createPointPicker();
        pointpicker.stickToSurfacesMode = 'maxplanes';
        if ( !GetPoint( pointpicker ) )
            return;

However, one thing that I should note is that the more you modify MoI from its standard behavior the more difficult it can be to help you if you run into some problem with that particular operation later on.

- Michael

Hi Michael,

I think I understand the reasoning and I am all in for a more natural workflow with no extra steps :) There is no real reason for me to modify anything, since MoI gave me other options to do what I had in mind. But I really appreciate the option to change array behavior and your in depth answer, as always. Thank you! :)

An another cool method (with my favorite command Line-line :)

Make your circular Array anywhere in normal Plane
Then Use the Transform / Orient / Line-Line (with Scaling none)
(Taking the Center of array as first point, a point of your object on the same plane on the good direction!!!
and a point on the target surface , and the second target point on this same plane of this target suface)

Works of course from any plane to any other plane! ;)

et voilà! ;)



The Helpers lines tools tips text can help you!
Here the "Z negative" vertical Helpers direction on the target surface!


Of course for your case it's trivial because all will be on the same plane! ;)

The power of the Line-line astonishes me at each time! :)

Highfives Pilou! I really love your approach. I will experiment some more with orient and help lines.

Well... I learned so much today. All thanks to Circular Array! And all of you, of course. ^__^ *applause*