Grid Array
The Grid Array tool creates copies of an object (or objects) in regularly spaced rows and columns, and includes options to adjust spacing, mirror the shapes, randomize orientation, and more.
Use the Grid Array tool to:
- Duplicate designs for batch production
- Maximize material utilization
- Create designs that require precise spacing
- Make interesting patterns
Grid Array Settings
To open the Create Grid Array window, select all objects you'd like to array, then go to Arrange → Grid / Array, or click the Grid Array button in the Modifiers Toolbar.
Click any option in the image below to jump directly to the relevant section for that option, or scroll down for a list of options and descriptions.
X Columns and Y Rows
Specify the number of copies to make in the Horizontal (X) and Vertical (Y) dimensions.
Total Width and Total Height
Alternative options for specifying the number of copies to make in each dimension. Set the values in these fields to match the size you'd like the grid to occupy, and LightBurn will set X Columns and Y Rows to whatever is necessary to fill the specified size without going over, taking into account the other settings below.
If you do not adjust these fields directly, they will automatically change to reflect the width and height of your grid, as determined by your other settings.
X Spacing and Y Spacing
Determine the distance between each copy, in the horizontal and vertical dimensions. For each dimension, you can select to space based on Distance from center to center of objects or Padding between edges of objects (see below).
Distance From Center to Center
When selected, X and Y Spacing will set the distance between the centers of each copy in the grid.
Padding Between Edges
When selected, X and Y Spacing will set the distance between sides of each copy in the grid.
Note
Distance from center to center and Padding between edges can be selected independently for each dimension, so X Spacing can be applied between centers when Y Spacing is applied between edges, and vice versa.
X Column Shift and Y Row Shift
Offset every other column or row by the specified amount, shifting alternate columns or rows left, right, up, or down.
Reverse Direction
Changes the direction in which copies are produced. Can be enabled individually for each dimension.
Shift by half
Offsets alternate columns or rows by half the total width or height of the original object.
Mirror Alternate Columns in X or Y and Mirror Alternate Rows in X or Y
Flip copies of the original object(s) in the selected dimension, for alternate columns or rows.
Maximize material utilization with Grid Array
Use the X/Y Spacing, X/Y Shift, and Mirror options individually or in combination with one another to efficiently lay out objects for maximum material utilization.
Random Orientation
Randomly rotates each copy of the original object(s). Use the field next to the Random orientation switch to enter a seed number that is used as the starting point of the randomly generated orientation. Re-using the same seed number will duplicate the same randomly generated orientation later on.
Auto-Increment Variable Text
Applies an Offset to text in each copy created in the array, automatically advancing output if you are using Merge/CSV or Serial Number formatting. The field next to the switch determines the amount by which each duplicates' Offset will advance.
See our documentation on using Variable Text for more information.
Use Grid Array to automatically increment Variable Text
Create Virtual Array
Makes an array of synced clones of the original object(s), instead of independent copies. See below for more information.
Total Size and Count
Display the resulting array's size in and X and Y, and total number of copies, including the original.
Group Results
When enabled, automatically Groups all objects in the array after it's created.
Select Results
When enabled, all objects in the array are automatically added to your selection when it's created.
OK and Cancel
Press OK to confirm your settings and create the array, or Cancel to discard settings and not create the array.
X Columns and Y Rows
Specify the number of copies to make in the horizontal (X) and vertical (Y) dimensions.
Total Width and Total Height
Alternative options for specifying the number of copies to make in each dimension. Set the values in these fields to match the size you'd like the grid to occupy, and LightBurn will set X Columns and Y Rows to whatever is necessary to fill the specified size without going over, taking into account the other settings below.
If you do not adjust these fields directly, they will automatically change to reflect the width and height of your grid, as determined by your other settings.
X Spacing and Y Spacing
Determine the distance between each copy, in the horizontal and vertical dimensions. For each dimension, you can select to space based on Distance from center to center of objects or Padding between edges of objects (see below).
Distance From Center to Center
When selected, X and Y Spacing will set the distance between the centers of each copy in the grid.
Padding Between Edges
When selected, X and Y Spacing will set the distance between sides of each copy in the grid.
X Column Shift and Y Row Shift
Offset every other column or row by the specified amount, shifting alternate columns or rows left, right, up, or down.
Reverse Direction
Changes the direction in which copies are produced. Can be enabled individually for each dimension.
Shift by half
Offsets alternate columns or rows by half the total width or height of the original object.
Mirror alternate columns in X and Mirror alternate columns in Y
Flip copies of the original object(s) in the selected dimension, for alternate columns or rows.
Maximize material utilization with Grid Array
Use the X/Y Spacing, X/Y Shift, and Mirror options individually or in combination with one another to efficiently lay out objects for maximum material utilization.
Random Orientation
Randomly rotates each copy of the original object(s). Use the field next to the Random orientation switch to enter a seed number that is used as the starting point of the randomly generated orientation. Re-using the same seed number will duplicate the same randomly generated orientation later on.
Auto-Increment Variable Text
Applies an Offset to text in each copy created in the array, automatically advancing output if you are using Merge/CSV or Serial Number formatting. The field next to the switch determines the amount by which each duplicates' Offset will advance.
See our documentation on using Variable Text for more information.
Use Grid Array to automatically increment Variable Text
Create Virtual Array
Makes an array of synced clones of the original object(s), instead of independent copies. See below for more information.
Total Size and Count
Display the resulting array's size in and X and Y, and total number of copies, including the original.
Group Results
When enabled, automatically Groups all objects in the array after it's created.
Select Results
When enabled, all objects in the array are automatically added to your selection when it's created.
Virtual Arrays
Enabling the Create Virtual Array option in the Create Grid Array window generates an array of synced clones, instead of making copies of the original objects.
The clones render with dashed outlines and muted fill colors, to indicate that they are virtual copies.
Any changes made to the original copy in the array will be applied to the clones, but the clones themselves are not selectable or adjustable.
Modifying Virtual Arrays
Select and right-click any original object that is part of a Virtual Array to open a context menu where you'll see several additional actions you can perform after creating the array.
You do not have to select all original objects used in the array.
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Edit Array displays the Create Grid Array dialog again, allowing you to modify any of the parameters, and even convert the array into a normal array by unchecking Create Virtual Array.
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Duplicate Array duplicates the entire Virtual Array and all of the objects in it.
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Flatten Array converts the Virtual Array into a standard array where all objects are separate copies and no longer synced to the original objects.
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Remove from Array remove the currently selected object(s) from the virtual array.
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Add to Array adds any currently selected object not in the virtual array to the array. Note: to see this option, you must select at least one object that is currently in a virtual array and one object that is not.
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Exit Array removes the Virtual Array, without deleting the original copies.
Related Topics
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