Symmetric and centre placement of of odd number (3) parts

[HDEAR]

Often I have 3 parts ( A ) to place symmetrically along another part (B). One of those parts will obviously be in the middle, but often I want the outside parts to be a set distance in from the end.

Using tribal and link, that would normally mean placing the first part (A) in the centre ( of B ), getting the length of (B) and then calculating how far the 'linked parts' would be from the original part B and using 'Repeat in reverse direction'.

However I have found it much quicker to do it this way ( refer video and sorry about 'the shakes' ). Assume you have the triball already set to the centre of part B

1) Position part A in the distance yo require from the end of part B.

2) Space bar and reposition triball to 'Edge' of part B

3) Mirror link ( or copy )

4) Right click Triball and Using the Create multiple copies select Links ( or copies ) to Point/Centre, point to the centre ( or middle of an edge ) of the part you have already linked ( or copied ) and "Hey presto", the third Part A will end up in the centre of Part B

In my video I showed that it was in the centre by using the tribal to measure from one end ( 622 mm ) knowing part B was 1244mm

I realise this Tip is not revoluntionary news that could influence the rotational axis of the earth or anything dramatic like that, but it is a nice little time saver and easy to use compared to some other methods, and you may find it useful. Perhaps you already know this method, but someone else might not

Harley

 

 

Edited March 10, 2021 by HDEAR

[Malcolm Crowe]

Hi Harley,

Thanks for sharing. That's a good combination of tools that you're using.

We've been developing various parametric "Pattern Layout" tools, and this has shown me another potential application for those tools.

Malcolm