How to Decorate Objects Using Array on Outline

The Array on Outline feature allows you to seamlessly decorate the borders of your objects using predefined Clipart or your own custom design parts. Follow this step-by-step guide to learn how to apply and customize arrays in your eXPerience 8 workspace.

Method 1: Decorating an Outline Using Clipart

1. Select the target object: Click on the object in your workspace that you want to decorate.
2. Apply the Array property: Navigate to the Properties panel and select the special type called Array.
3. Choose your Clipart: The Clipart library will automatically open. Browse through the library to find the artwork you wish to use (e.g., a starfish).
4. Insert the artwork: Once you select the item, click Insert.
5. Set size and orientation: Click and drag on your workspace to define the size and the angle of the inserted Clipart. The object will immediately populate multiple times along the shape’s outline.

Method 2: Decorating an Outline Using Custom Design Parts

1. Select the base object: Click on the specific design part you want to use as your repeating element.
2. Select the outline object: Select the larger object you wish to decorate.
3. Apply the Array: Go to the Properties panel and click on the Array type. Your custom object will now be distributed along the outline of the bigger object.

Useful Tip: You can also apply an Array by selecting the objects, opening the right-click menu, and choosing Create outline from shapes > Array, or by using the exact same option located under the Convert button.

Customizing Array Properties

For any object with an Array applied, you can return to the Properties panel at any time to adjust its parameters:

• Offset: This parameter specifies the distance between the outline and the center of the repeated object. You can use it to push the copies toward the inner or outer part of the shape.
• Item Rotation: Use this setting to rotate the individual copies along the outline.
• Spacing: This controls the distance between each repeated shape block along the path.

Useful Tip: Because eXPerience 8 automatically adapts the distribution of the elements to fit the path, the resulting spacing may not always be mathematically exact. If you experiment with these settings and want to start over, you can always reset the Properties to their defaults.

Advanced Editing Techniques

Working with Cloned Objects Combining an Array with cloned objects is highly recommended for dynamic editing.

1. Enable Add new objects as clones while creating the Array.
2. Now, whenever you edit the outline or shape of the base object, all of the Array copies will update automatically to match.

Making Manual Adjustments If you need absolute control over specific parts of the Array (e.g., moving or deleting a single starfish), you can break the Array apart:

1. Select the completed Array.
2. Click the Separate to objects option.
3. The dropped parts are no longer tied to the Array algorithm; they are now grouped as individual objects.
4. Simply Ungroup them to proceed with editing each element independently.

Enjoy creating!