Feature PolarArray

Feature (document object)

PolarArray feature makes a polar array of placements (circular arrangement). The array can be linked to a straight edge to serve as an axis, or to a circular edge to serve as a guide.

Properties

AxisDir

Vector setting the direction of axis, around which the array is constructed. Together with AxisPoint property, this property sets the axis of the array.

If AxisDirIsDriven is True, and AxisLink is set, AxisDir is read-only and controlled by the linked edge.

Length of AxisDir doesn't matter, as long as it is non-zero.

AxisDirIsDriven

If true, and AxisLink is set, AxisDir is controlled by the linked edge. If false, AxisDir can be set up manually with property editor.

AxisPoint

Point in space, shich is the point of polar origin. Together with AxisDir property, this property sets the axis of the array.

If AxisPointIsDriven is True, and AxisLink is set, AxisPoint is read-only. It is set to either starting point of an edge (for lines), or to center point (for circles/arcs).

AxisPointIsDriven

If true, and AxisLink is set, AxisPoint is controlled by the linked edge. If false, AxisPoint can be set up manually with property editor.

AxisLink, AxisLinkSubelement

AxisLink to object to take an edge from, to control the axis of the array. AxisLinkSubelement is a string, and should be like "Edge1" (without quotemarks).

If AxisDirIsDriven is true, the linked edge controls AxisDir property. If AxisPointIsDriven is true, the linked edge controls AxisPoint property.

OrientMode

Specifies how to set the orientations of placements of the resulting array.

'None': orientation is tivial (no rotation). However, if the array is moved as a whole, the orientations will follow the orientation part of array's Placement property.
'Against axis': X axes of placements are made pointing away from the axis of array (perpendicular to the axis). Z axes of placements are along axis of array.

Radius

Radius of the polar array. Can be zero.

(series properties)

(this is a brief overview; click the title for more info)

Values are angles measured around array axis (AxisPoint+AxisDir), where to put the placements. Angles are measured from the direction automatially constucted to be berpendicular to the axis of the array. The direction tends to be along Z axis, or along X axis if Z axis is colinear to array axis.

Values can be typed in directly, sourced from a spreadsheed, or (default) generated in-place. The source is chosen with ValuesSource property.

Generator is set up with its own set of properties, the most important of them are Count, SpanStart, SpanEnd, Step. Since these four are interrelated, those which can be edited and those computed are set up with GeneratorMode property:

SpanN: fit Count placements into SpanStart-SpanEnd angle interval. Step is computed (read-only).
StepN (default): make Count placements spaced by an angle of Step, starting from SpanStart. SpanEnd is computed (read-only).
SpanStep: fill SpanStart-SpanEnd interval with placements spaced by Step. Count is computed (read-only).
Random: put Count placements into SpanStart-SpanEnd angle interval, randomly. Step is ignored.

If you set the angle span to be not 360 degrees, consider switching on EndInclusive property. Otherwise, the last placement under an angle equal to SpanEnd is omitted.