Object-Group (Area) – Define Surface

Workflow

In the initial situation the cursor moves a single symbol.
  1. Click . The context menu appears.
  2. Select: Place Symmetrical on a Surface Define Surface
    The cursor appears as a crosshair. The information line shows:[Click Left]=Position starting point

  3. Define the surface.

    • Outline the contour from the starting point + to the last corner point .
    • Work counter-clockwise.
    • Define the corner points by clicking .
    • To close the contour, press [Enter].
    • Define the diagonal corner points by clicking .
    • To complete the operation, press [Enter].

    The objects are arranged in the defined surface. The dialog appears: Object-Group (Area)

  4. Check the settings. More
  5. Click OK. The function remains active.

Settings, functions and parameters

Calculate type

Definition of variables and fixed parameters for the configuration of the group.

Setting Quantity Distance (dX)
Distance (dY)		 Effect
Manual (free placement)

The area limits the field of objects. DDScad ignores entries that would result in exceeding the surface.
Distance from objects

The larger the number of objects, the smaller the distance.
Objects from distance

The greater the distance, the smaller the number of objects.

Number of objects

Number of objects in the respective direction. The release depends on the selected setting:

Calculate type

  • Manual (free placement)
  • Distance from objects
  • Objects from distance

Important!

The parameters may appear reversed because the object group is aligned to the reference line of the selected surface. If you have started the contour with a line running vertically, then In X direction describes the number in perpendicular arrangement.

Size of the defined surface. The value cannot be changed.

Actual number of objects within the group. The value can be different from the number entered in the X and Y direction, because DDScad automatically removes the objects outside of the surface.

Placement

Configuration for Start point (Y)/Distance (dX).

Setting Effect

Distance (dX)/Distance (dY) = distance between the outer edges of adjacent objects.

Distance (dX)/Distance (dY) = distance between the insertion points of adjacent objects.

Note

The parameter is available only for objects with variable size.

Setting Effect

The corner points of the surfaces are visible.
x Start point of the operation / insertion point of the complete group
x Corner point
The corners of the surface are invisible

Distance between the insertion point of the complete group and the insertion point of the first object. You can also enter negative values and use different unit of lengths.

Distance between adjacent objects. Depending on the status in Distance between the value describes the distance between the insertion points or the outer edges.

Alignment

Setting Effect
Free

Start point (X) / Start point (Y) are released for input.
Center

Start point (X) / Start point (Y) will be charged.