Model Making Duplicating Objects
x1=0&x2=5&x3=2&x4=0&x5=1&x6=3
Model Making Duplicating Objects
Rob Lang
http://www.maison-de-stuff.net/rob
1
2005/07/20
This tutorial deals with functions regarding the duplication of objects. This includes the functions of Mirror, Array and Clone. Mirror, as the name might suggest, makes an exact mirror copy across a line you specify. Array copys the object many times over in either a regular manner. Clone copies the object many times but with parameters you set.
Start a new object file (SHIFT n) and do not forget to save often (s).
modelmakingduplicate
Setup Object
mmakingd1.gif
mmakingd1.gif
A single gear
For this tutorial, we're going to use a single gear. The gear is created from the menu of additional primatives on the 'More' dropdown menu item, directly under where you select Box and Ball.
Do...
- Select layer 1 (1)
- Select the Create tab.
- Select the 'More' dropdown from the menu. Select the Gear option.
- The gear dialog will open.
- Go with the defaults by clicking 'ok'.
- A gear will be created.
You should have something similar to my picture.
Mirror
mmakingd2.gif
Mirror along an axis
The mirror tool creates a 'mirror' copy of the foreground layer along the axis you draw.
Do...
- Select the Multiply Tab
- Select Mirror tool from the menu (SHIFT v).
- In the top view, click and drag vertically to the right of the cog. A blue line should appear and a mirror copy of the will appear.
You should have something similar to my picture.
Array - Rectangular
mmakingd3.gif
mmakingd3.gif
Create a rectangular array of cogs
The retangular array tool duplicates exact copies of the object in as many dimensions as you want. You achieve this by specifying how many clones you need in each dimension. The clones are automatically placed right next to each other.
Do...
- To go back to two separate objects, go to the Edit dropdown menu and selet Undo (CTRL z).
- Select Array tool from the menu (CTRL y). A dialog will appear.
Use these settings
- Array type: Rectangular
- X Count: 5
- Y Count: 5
- Z Count: 5
- All others use the default settings.
- Click ok and the clones will be created.
You should have something similar to my picture.
Array - Radial
mmakingd4.gif
mmakingd4.gif
Create a radial array of cogs
The radial array tool makes a number of copies in a circle around an axis you specify. We're going to make 3 more copies (4 in total) around the Z axis.
Do...
- To go back to two separate objects, go to the Edit dropdown menu and selet Undo (CTRL z).
- Select Array tool from the menu (CTRL y). A dialog will appear.
Use these settings
- Array type: Radial
- Number: 4
- Axis: 7
- Center Y: 1.5 m
- All others use the default settings.
- Click ok and the clones will be created.
You should have something similar to my picture.
Clone
mmakingd5.gif
mmakingd5.gif
Copy the cog with an offset
The clone tool simply copies the object a number of times with a set of offsets. The most obvious offset is the location one, where each clone is moved away from the original object. However, each clone can also increase in size, rotation or centre.
Do...
- To go back to two separate objects, go to the Edit dropdown menu and selet Undo (CTRL z).
- Select Clone tool from the menu (c). A dialog will appear.
Use these settings
- Number: 3
- Offset X: 3 m
- Scale X: 110%
- Scale Y: 110%
- All others use the default settings.
- Click ok and the clones will be created.
You should have something similar to my picture.