WM2d: Radial Clone script?

[broli]

I was curious as to whether there was a radial clone script anywhere. The people that are and have used wm2d might know the importance of this. Basically the way I have it imagined is how autocad somehow does it.

You select your objects, run the script. Specify the angle to clone about (360° if it's a full circle) and select the point to clone around. The latter can be a user specified value or by some other magic the position of another object.

The trick is to let it clone everything. Objects that are attched to each other with joints,rods,springs... All get cloned and still are attached correctly to their parts.

I just started with learning to script but the poorly written manual if you can call that isn't very helpful. I'm willing to help the people that want to bring the script alive because I think this will make prototyping a heck lot faster and easier.

[KAS]

Broli,

I am relatively new to WM2D and can relate to your dilemma. I don't think there is a facility to do this on this software. If there is, I certainly haven't found it.

The Autocad function for doing this is called Polar Array. It is so easy to do and I miss it alot when using WM.

I have found that the only way to ensure a number of points/objects are positioned correctly around a radius is to select a square and square pin it to the background. Then copy it and place the clone directly over the original. Then use the rotate tool to turn the clone 45 deg. Place points on the tip of each corner and you have a fairly accurate equally spaced 8 points.

There is probably a simpler way to do this but I have yet to discover it.

Kas

[mickegg]

The best way I have found to place objects radially, is as follows:

Draw your wheel (circle) to the correct diameter required and then
edit the coordinates at the bottom of the screen to place the centre
at x=0 y=0

Pin the wheel to the background with a pin joint at the centre..the axle.

Draw the object or construct that you wish to array
(Do this outside the wheel to one side)
Select and copy it
Now paste repeatedly until you have the required no. of objects
Select one of the pasted objects and place it on the wheel on the
x axis at the radial distance desired
Adjust the coordinates at the bottom of the screen to the exact x="radius"
(y=0)
Pin the object with desired joint, and while joint is still selected
adjust its coords at the bottom of the screen in the same way.
Now select the wheel and rotate it by editing the "rotation" box on the coords bar
ie 45 degrees if you have eight objects to array.
The wheel rotates
Repeat with the next object...will be the same x="radius" with y=0 as before.
Rotate wheel............repeat process

Each object is exactly placed where it should be.

Sounds complicated, but its quite quick in reality.

NB: I use x=0 y=0 for wheel centre, for my convenience, as I find it easier to place the radius coordinate

Regards

Mick

[broli]

Thanks for the tips! And mickegg that's exactly a process that can be automated!

[bluesgtr44]

Hey Mik.....that's exactly how I usually do it. Another thing is that I have a template that has the basic settings I like to work with. When I come up with something I want to try I just open this template and then "save as" after that. One thing that speeds up stuff for me is to have it set to "objects do not collide..." it's easier for me to set it to collide than to try and uncollide so much. I think that the program defaults to collisions....anyway....just enoying a little time off for a change. The last two months have been really busy for me at work and I'm getting really tired of it....


Steve