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3D Array

What is it?

The 3D Array tool allows you to create three-dimensional arrays of objects with precise control over spacing, count, and rotation along each axis. It features both a standard mode using world/local axes and a face mode where you can define custom axes using a face and two vertices.

Access and Shortcuts

  • Pie Menu: Manipulation > 3D Array
  • Operator: damtools.array3d
  • Modal keys:
  • Alt → Toggle face mode (select face and 2 vertices to define axes)
  • X/Y/Z → Select axis to edit
  • Mouse Wheel → Adjust count/spacing for selected axis
  • Shift + Mouse Wheel → Fine adjustment
  • Ctrl + Mouse Wheel → Adjust random rotation range
  • R → Reset current axis settings
  • Click/Enter/Space → Confirm
  • ESC/Right Click → Cancel

Workflow

Standard Mode

  1. Select object(s) to array
  2. Activate 3D Array
  3. Use X/Y/Z to select axis
  4. Adjust count/spacing with mouse wheel
  5. Optionally add random rotation with Ctrl+Wheel
  6. Confirm with Click/Enter/Space

Face Mode (Alt)

  1. Select object(s) to array
  2. Activate 3D Array
  3. Hold Alt and click a face
  4. Click two vertices to define axes
  5. Adjust array parameters as in standard mode
  6. Confirm with Click/Enter/Space

Parameters

  • Count X/Y/Z: Number of copies along each axis
  • Default: 1
  • Range: 1 to 100
  • Spacing X/Y/Z: Distance between copies
  • Default: Based on object size
  • Range: -100 to 100
  • Random Rotation X/Y/Z: Maximum random rotation per axis
  • Default: 0°
  • Range: 0° to 360°
  • Face Mode: Define custom axes using face and vertices
  • Default: False (standard mode)
  • Toggle with Alt

Tips

  • Use face mode for non-orthogonal arrays
  • Hold Shift for finer control over spacing/count
  • Random rotation adds variation to repeated elements
  • The spacing defaults to the object's size along each axis
  • You can array multiple objects at once
  • Use R to reset settings for the current axis

Known Limitations

  • Face mode requires a mesh object with vertices
  • Very high counts may impact performance
  • Random rotation is applied per-copy and cannot be adjusted after creation
  • Custom axes in face mode are fixed once defined

See Also