{"id":3136,"date":"2025-09-05T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-05T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingsxp.com\/embroidery\/?post_type=knowledge-base&#038;p=3136"},"modified":"2025-09-26T11:36:02","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T11:36:02","slug":"how-to-use-the-circular-array-tool","status":"publish","type":"knowledge-base","link":"https:\/\/wingsxp.com\/embroidery\/knowledge-base\/how-to-use-the-circular-array-tool\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Use the Circular Array Tool"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The <strong>Circular Array<\/strong> tool is a powerful feature that allows you to create multiple copies of an object arranged in a circle or an arc. This is perfect for creating wreaths, circular patterns, decorative borders, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed wp-block-embed-youtube is-type-video is-provider-youtube epyt-figure\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><div class=\"epyt-video-wrapper\"><div  style=\"display: block; margin: 0px auto;\"  id=\"_ytid_68625\"  width=\"1290\" height=\"725\"  data-origwidth=\"1290\" data-origheight=\"725\" data-facadesrc=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/l_de2IiYULI?enablejsapi=1&#038;autoplay=0&#038;cc_load_policy=0&#038;cc_lang_pref=&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;loop=0&#038;rel=0&#038;fs=1&#038;playsinline=0&#038;autohide=2&#038;theme=dark&#038;color=red&#038;controls=1&#038;disablekb=0&#038;\" class=\"__youtube_prefs__ epyt-facade no-lazyload\" data-epautoplay=\"1\" ><img decoding=\"async\" data-spai-excluded=\"true\" class=\"epyt-facade-poster skip-lazy\" loading=\"lazy\"  alt=\"YouTube player\"  src=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/l_de2IiYULI\/maxresdefault.jpg\"  \/><button class=\"epyt-facade-play\" aria-label=\"Play\"><svg data-no-lazy=\"1\" height=\"100%\" version=\"1.1\" viewBox=\"0 0 68 48\" width=\"100%\"><path class=\"ytp-large-play-button-bg\" d=\"M66.52,7.74c-0.78-2.93-2.49-5.41-5.42-6.19C55.79,.13,34,0,34,0S12.21,.13,6.9,1.55 C3.97,2.33,2.27,4.81,1.48,7.74C0.06,13.05,0,24,0,24s0.06,10.95,1.48,16.26c0.78,2.93,2.49,5.41,5.42,6.19 C12.21,47.87,34,48,34,48s21.79-0.13,27.1-1.55c2.93-0.78,4.64-3.26,5.42-6.19C67.94,34.95,68,24,68,24S67.94,13.05,66.52,7.74z\" fill=\"#f00\"><\/path><path d=\"M 45,24 27,14 27,34\" fill=\"#fff\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Accessing the Tool<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Before starting, you must have an object on the design canvas that you wish to duplicate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Select Your Object:<\/strong> Click on the shape or design you want to use for the array.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Locate the Array Tools:<\/strong> On the main toolbar on the left, find the <strong>Arrays<\/strong> section.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Launch the Tool:<\/strong> Click on the <strong>Arrays<\/strong> icon and select <strong>Circular Array<\/strong> from the menu that appears.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Once activated, a virtual preview of the array will appear on your screen, centered on the main axis by default.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Customizing Your Array with the Properties Panel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>Tools Options<\/strong> pane provides precise controls for customizing your circular array.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Start and End Angle:<\/strong> Define the arc on which your copies will be placed.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>\ud83d\udca1 Useful Tip:<\/strong> To create a full, closed circle, set the <strong>Start<\/strong> and <strong>End<\/strong> angles to the same value (e.g., both at 0\u00b0 or both at 360\u00b0).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Number of Copies:<\/strong> Enter the exact number of objects you want in the array.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Step Angle:<\/strong> This value shows the angle between each copy. It updates automatically when you change the number of copies, but you can also set it manually. If you manually change the Step Angle, the <strong>End Angle<\/strong> will adjust to fit the specified number of copies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Direction:<\/strong> Use the checkbox to create the array <strong>Clockwise<\/strong> or <strong>Counterclockwise<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Contour Steps:<\/strong> This option creates concentric rings of your array. You can then choose:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Same copies:<\/strong> Each new ring will have the same number of objects as the first.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Add extra copies:<\/strong> The software will automatically add more copies to the outer rings for a better visual fit and spacing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Presets:<\/strong> This dropdown menu offers quick setups. The <strong>Full Circle Preset<\/strong> is especially useful, as it automatically arranges your selected object into a complete circle with optimal spacing. If you have a work area defined, an additional preset will appear to align the array to it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Adjusting the Array Visually with Handles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For a more hands-on approach, you can manipulate the array directly on the canvas using its visual handles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Center Handle:<\/strong> Click and drag the central handle to move the entire array&#8217;s pivot point.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Green &amp; Blue Handles (Start &amp; Inner Copies):<\/strong> Click and drag any of these handles to move the arc&#8217;s position and change its distance from the center (radius). The values in the Properties Panel will update in real-time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Red Handle (End Copy):<\/strong> Click and drag the red handle to change the <strong>End Angle<\/strong> of the arc. This will change the spacing between copies while keeping the total number of copies the same.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Power-Up Your Workflow with Keyboard Shortcuts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Combine dragging the visual handles with keyboard keys for more precise control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Snap to Angles (<code>Ctrl<\/code> Key):<\/strong> Hold the <code>Ctrl<\/code> key while dragging any node to snap the movement in <strong>15-degree increments<\/strong>. This is perfect for achieving precise angles.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Adjust Radius Only (<code>Shift<\/code> Key):<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Hold <code>Shift<\/code> while dragging the <strong>green or a blue handle<\/strong> to change <em>only the distance<\/em> from the center without altering the angle.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hold <code>Shift<\/code> while dragging the <strong>red handle<\/strong> to <em>add or remove copies<\/em> while keeping the spacing between them constant.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Adjust Angle Only (<code>Alt<\/code> Key):<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Hold <code>Alt<\/code> while dragging the <strong>green or a blue handle<\/strong> to change <em>only the arc&#8217;s position<\/em> without altering the distance from the center.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hold <code>Alt<\/code> while dragging the <strong>red handle<\/strong> to change the <em>spacing between copies<\/em> without altering the distance from the center.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Special Features<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Clones vs. Copies:<\/strong> If you enable the <strong>Mark as Clones<\/strong> option, all created objects will be linked. This means if you edit the shape or color of <em>any one<\/em> of the clones, all the other objects in the array will update automatically! This is a huge time-saver for complex designs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Reorder for Multi-Color Designs:<\/strong> When working with a design that has multiple colors, check the <strong>Reorder colors<\/strong> option before applying the array. This optimizes the stitch sequence to minimize color changes during the embroidery process, saving you time and thread.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Finalizing Your Array<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you are satisfied with the preview:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Click <strong>Apply<\/strong> to create the final objects.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you want to start over with a different object, click <strong>Select new<\/strong> to change your base selection without closing the tool.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Circular Array tool is a powerful feature that allows you to create multiple copies of an object arranged in a circle or an arc.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3150,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":""},"categories-kb":[333,337,336],"class_list":["post-3136","knowledge-base","type-knowledge-base","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","categories-kb-how-to-training","categories-kb-how-to-training-advanced","categories-kb-how-to-training-operator"],"acf":[],"taxonomy_info":{"categories-kb":[{"value":333,"label":"How to Training"},{"value":337,"label":"How to Training - Advanced"},{"value":336,"label":"How to Training - Operator"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/wingsxp.com\/embroidery\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/CircularArray-1024x576.jpg",1024,576,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"eXPerience embroidery software","author_link":"https:\/\/wingsxp.com\/embroidery\/author\/experience-embroidery-software\/"},"comment_info":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wingsxp.com\/embroidery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/knowledge-base\/3136","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wingsxp.com\/embroidery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/knowledge-base"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wingsxp.com\/embroidery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/knowledge-base"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wingsxp.com\/embroidery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wingsxp.com\/embroidery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3150"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wingsxp.com\/embroidery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3136"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"categories-kb","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wingsxp.com\/embroidery\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories-kb?post=3136"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}