Duplicate lines in equal steps 1

[rickmacster]

I need to draw a series of lines with equal spacings. Like drawing a picket fence, or creating a chart with equal line spacings. In autocad, I would use an array command to specify the number of copies and the space between. In SketchUp, I would do a "move/copy" with a specified distance, then tell it how many times to repeat. Is there an illustrator command that does this?

Thanks,
Rick

 

[jmgalvin]

You might try the Align Window. Make sure to click the litle triangle at the top to get all options including "distribute spacing"

I'm on a mac so some key combos will be different but, (on Mac) if you draw your first line, you can Option click on the line to clone it. Move it the exact distance that you want from the first line and leave it selected. If you then hit Command D the line will duplocate at exactly the same distand and stay on the same vertical/horizontal alignment.

Option key on mac usually = Alt on PC. I don't know the PC equivalent of Command

Using OSX 10.3.8 on a G4

 

[itchybug]

Rick:

Another way to do this, and keep the paths live so you can adjust the spacing later very easily:

Draw one line. With the line selected, go to Effect>Distort&Transform>Transform, enter the amount you want to move the line horizontally, enter the number of copies you want, click OK and there you have it. If you change the original line, all the line copies will update automatically, and if you want to change spacing or rotation or scaling, double-click the Transform item in the Appearance palette and adjust from the dialog box.

HTH

Bert

http://www.itchybug.com

 

[rhyno2k]

Itchybug loves that appearance palette

Another great tip. Always a benefit to keep effects as "live" as possible.

 

[itchybug]

My list of greatest (Illustrator) things since sliced bread:

1. Appearance Palette;
2. Gradient Mesh;
3. Envelopes;

Yes, the Appearance Palette is a wonderful tool.

http://www.itchybug.com