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Selecting objects to copy from array of arbitrary objects |
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While creating an array of arbitrary objects, objects of different types can be selected as the objects being copied, such as operations, surfaces, curves, points, auxiliary planes, axes, sketches, coordinate systems, etc.
It is impossible to specify solids, components, arrays created before and certain operations, such as rib, shell, sheet solid, thicken etc., as an object being copied.
To create a set of random objects, you need to set the object type Arbitrary 
before selecting the first one. To do this, press the relevant button in Type group on the Parameter Panel.
Color of solids and surfaces in the graphic region of the model changes.
Select the objects being copied in Design Tree. Names of the objects selected will appear in the Objects field.
If Select intermediate elements option is set, not only specified objects but also objects that are located between these specified objects in the Design Tree are included into the set. Inclusion of intermediate objects into the set does not depend on the type of Tree enabled, whether it is in sequence of creating or model structure. First, final and intermediate objects are determined on basis of model construction sequence. Objects that cannot be copied are not included into the set.
Use the following procedures for correct array design.
•Selecting objects being copied together with their source objects:
•specifying all source objects, including sketches and those objects used for the construction of the source,
•specifying the coordinate systems of source objects,
•isolation of links of copied objects.
Selection of the required method is determined by the order and method of building copied objects.
Objects being copied and their source objects
When creating an array of arbitrary objects, the same design is performed for each instance as for the object being copied. Therefore you have to specify not only objects being copied, but also objects required for their construction (including sketches).
Examples of
•A sketch was used for the design of bumping (extrusion) operation. When choosing objects for copying, you must specify both bumping operation and its sketch. Each instance of array will include a copy of the sketch and a copy of bumping operation. Otherwise, all instances of the array will be designed on the same sketch – the sketch of the source bumping operation – and will coincide with it.
•Points are built in the model. These points are used to construct a spline. Surface being copied is obtained by rotating this spline around a segment created in model space.
For correct construction of an array following objects must be specified: rotation surface, segment, spline and points used for spline construction. Each instance of the array will contain copies of all these objects.
•If all objects except the segment (rotation axis) are specified, then all the instances will have the same axis — the rotation axis of the copied surface.
•If all objects except points used for spline design are specified, then copies of the spline cannot be created within the instances. Each copy of the surface will be built by rotation of the same (source) spline around "its" axis, i.e. copy of the segment in the corresponding instance.
Coordinate systems of source objects
The original object of the object being copied can be linked with the origin of the coordinate system (for example, an object in a sketch is linked with the origin of the coordinate system through a control dimension or snap). For correct construction of array in this case both object and coordinate system must be specified. Specifying the CS can also be required if during the array construction or further operations with the array you will need to specify object coordinates in the instances.
If the CS is specified, then a copy of CS is created for each instance, and coordinates of objects within this instance are defined relative to this created CS copy. Values of coordinates remain unchanged.
If source objects do not comprise a CS, its copies are not created. Coordinates of objects within the instances are determined relative to the source CS and therefore have different values.
Examples of
•A sketch was used for the design of bumping (extrusion) operation. It was a circle whose center was linked by control dimension with the origin of an absolute CS. When choosing objects for copying, you must specify bumping operation, its sketch and absolute CS. Each instance of the array will contain copies of all of these objects: a bumping operation, a sketch with dimension and a CS. Dimension is specified between the center of circle in the sketch and the beginning of copy of CS that belongs to this instance. If CS is not specified when creating an array, then copies of the CS are not created in the instances. Circles in instance sketches remain linked with original CS. Therefore copies of the circle coincide with the source circle and copies of bumping operation coincide with the source operation.
•Coordinates of segment ends are specified in an absolute CS. Dimensions linking the segment with the CS are absent. If the segment and the absolute CS are specified when selecting objects to be copied, then each instance of array will contain a copy of the segment and a copy of the CS. Coordinates of ends of the segments in the instance are defined relative to CS of this very instance, so coordinate values will remain unchanged. If only segment is specified when creating an array, then no copies of the CS are created in the instances. In this case, coordinates of segment ends within the instances are determined relative to the source CS and have different values.
