Move / Copy Objects > Multiple Copy, Object Division (Modify Menu)

This command can be used to make multiple copies of a chosen set of objects. The copies are placed on the division points of an identified object, worked out by various mathematical processes.

The objects to be copied must be chosen. Click on objects to choose them.

The reference point within the objects can be entered using the mouse, by clicking anywhere in the drawing. The reference point indicates the place where the division point should be placed.

Any part object in an existing object can be identified as the reference object. This can be a side of a rectangle, the arc of an ellipse segment or a circle segment within a surface.

The identified (part) object is referred to as the "Reference Object".

The position at which the reference object is identified (the "ID Point") affects the rest of the command in case of an open object such as a polyline or arc. It determines at which end of the object the division shall start.

The outline of the identified object is divided up during the division. In general, this is referred to as the "Distance"

Which point is interpreted as the start point depends on the reference object type. The rotation direction of the division is determined by the current arc direction. This is specified using the command Toggle Arc Direction (F2), with the F2 key or the button in the panel. If the arc direction is positive, the circle arc is divided beginning from the start angle in a mathematically positive sense (i.e. counterclockwise). If the arc direction is negative, the circle arc is divided beginning from the start angle in a mathematically negative sense (i.e. clockwise).

Ellipses and ellipse arcs are treated in a special way. As ellipses and ellipse arcs are mostly used in technical drawings to show circles in isometric or dimetric view, they are treated correspondingly. They are treated like circles during the division process.

After choosing the objects and identifying the reference object, the "Division" dialog dialog appears, in which the division parameters can be specified.

After entering the division parameters the objects are copied to all the reference object's division points (if need be they are rotated).