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Array Modifier

  • Modify panel > Make a selection > Modifier List > Object-Space Modifiers > Array
  • Default menu: Make a selection > Modifiers menu > Parametric Deformers > Array

The parametric Array modifier lets you create arrays using multiple Distribution methods. Its expansive toolset includes transformation and randomization controls, and parameters to adjust material IDs and UV data.

With an expansive toolset and a location in the stack, the Array modifier provides additional flexibility not found in the Array command. Most importantly, this modifier is parametric, giving you the ability to adjust parameters after an array has been created.

The Array modifier is especially useful in a procedural modeling context. For example, you can create an array to quickly model detail or ornamentation:
  • Stiches on a surface
  • Bolts on an airplane wing
  • Bricks for a wall
  • Books on a bookshelf
When applied to a mesh or spline, the Array modifier creates clones based on the selected Distribution method. You can choose to duplicate and distribute clones using the following methods:
  • Grid: Creates a uniform set of clones in a 1D, 2D, or 3D layout
  • Radial: Creates clones in a circular pattern aligned to the X, Y, or Z axis
  • Spline: Creates clones along a target spline in your scene
  • Surface: Creates clones on the vertices, face centers, or edge centers of a target object in your scene

Notes and tips:

For best results with the Array modifier, keep the following in mind:
  • Issue: When using the Spline Distribution method or Surface Distribution method, cloning an array using Shift-drag produces unexpected results.

    After dragging, the clone is not placed at the cursor location. Instead, it's placed on top of the original array object, making it difficult to distinguish between the original array and the clone.

    Workaround: Create a clone of the array and a clone of the reference spline. Select the array clone and set the spline clone as its reference.

  • Issue: When objects use the Array modifier with references to other objects, (i.e. using the Spline Distribution method, the Surface Distribution method, or when the Phyllotaxis Distribution method is set to use a Distribution Spline), certain uses of the arrayed object can produce unexpected results.

    For example, Compound objects using arrayed objects as sub-objects or the Boolean modifier using the arrayed object as an operand may cause the arrayed elements to shift position when either initially picked or when the referenced spline, surface, or the array-modified node is moved in space.

    Workaround: Covert the array-modified object into an Editable Poly or Editable Mesh before using it in a Compound object or Boolean modifier.

Procedures

The following workflow examples highlight the different Distribution methods:
Topics in this section

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