Task
To create a grid (340x70mm) containing identical 6mm circles, at regular distances from each other, in a diamond pattern , with a centre point showing inside each circle.
Application
To print out the pattern, affix to a solid surface, and centre-punch through the shown centre point of each circle to form a pattern for drilling.
I would really appreciated help with this problem as having tried to apply what i have read from the online manual i am struggling with this problem. Help by way of hints or an example would be great.
Regards
Nick
[solved] how do i create a grid pattern of repetative circles?
Moderator: andrew
Forum rules
Always indicate your operating system and QCAD version.
Attach drawing files and screenshots.
Post one question per topic.
Always indicate your operating system and QCAD version.
Attach drawing files and screenshots.
Post one question per topic.
Re: how do i create a grid pattern of repetative circles?
Hi,
the first that comes to my mind is exploding a hatch pattern but that is ruled out.
Hatches don't support circles nor any curved form.
The 'Free Stand Alone Basic Hatch Pattern Tool' can create such a pattern but has no center point.
Adding all those manually would be a monkey job.
viewtopic.php?f=30&t=6944&start=15#p33566
Basically one constructs a part of the grid with holes and then copy that multiple times in one direction.
Then one copies all those in the orthogonal direction.
Explained in the drawing layer by layer: Copy from/to Modify .. Copy/Move (MV) is best equipped for that choosing the base reference and the target with care.
In the drawing:
Layer 1->2 : I used the leftmost reference point of the blue circle as base and the rightmost reference point of the 5mm circle as target.
Layer 3 : Adding a circle by two Tangents and Radius (CTR).
Layer 3->4 : Used both lower centers to copy the CTR-circle.
Layer 4->5 : Used a lower end reference and a higher center point to copy both center dots.
Layer 5->6 : Mirrored all the lower items over the symmetry axis by the higher center points.
Now one can clone the pattern endlessly in both directions using MV with more copies.
Regards,
CVH
the first that comes to my mind is exploding a hatch pattern but that is ruled out.
Hatches don't support circles nor any curved form.
The 'Free Stand Alone Basic Hatch Pattern Tool' can create such a pattern but has no center point.
Adding all those manually would be a monkey job.
viewtopic.php?f=30&t=6944&start=15#p33566
Basically one constructs a part of the grid with holes and then copy that multiple times in one direction.
Then one copies all those in the orthogonal direction.
Explained in the drawing layer by layer: Copy from/to Modify .. Copy/Move (MV) is best equipped for that choosing the base reference and the target with care.
In the drawing:
Layer 1->2 : I used the leftmost reference point of the blue circle as base and the rightmost reference point of the 5mm circle as target.
Layer 3 : Adding a circle by two Tangents and Radius (CTR).
Layer 3->4 : Used both lower centers to copy the CTR-circle.
Layer 4->5 : Used a lower end reference and a higher center point to copy both center dots.
Layer 5->6 : Mirrored all the lower items over the symmetry axis by the higher center points.
Now one can clone the pattern endlessly in both directions using MV with more copies.
Regards,
CVH
Re: how do i create a grid pattern of repetative circles?
Do I understand the task correctly? The result should look like something like this?
- Husky-2021.09.01-01.png (58.26 KiB) Viewed 5624 times
Work smart, not hard: QCad Pro
Win10/64, QcadPro, QcadCam version: Current.
If a thread is considered as "solved" please change the title of the first post to "[solved] Title..."
Win10/64, QcadPro, QcadCam version: Current.
If a thread is considered as "solved" please change the title of the first post to "[solved] Title..."
Re: how do i create a grid pattern of repetative circles?
Thank you for the replies so far.
Husky, that is exactly what i'm looking for.
Thanks
Husky, that is exactly what i'm looking for.
Thanks
Re: how do i create a grid pattern of repetative circles?
Great! As you know - there are many ways to skin a cat but I would properly go this route ...
Create a block with the circle and the center line cross,
- Husky-2021.09.01-02.png (6.37 KiB) Viewed 5613 times
then insert this block to Model_Space, chose the option "Array"
- Husky-2021.09.01-03.png (49.73 KiB) Viewed 5613 times
Array settings like this ...
- Husky-2021.09.01-04.png (5.25 KiB) Viewed 5613 times
... will create an array similar to this one
- Husky-2021.09.01-05.png (203.48 KiB) Viewed 5613 times
Explode this Array one time!
Then select every second row ...
- Husky-2021.09.01-06.png (163.43 KiB) Viewed 5613 times
... and move the selection. Reference center upper left circle in selection. Target: "Middle Manuel" between center upper left circle in array and center circle in third row of array. Wait a minute! WHAT???? hahaha ...
Ok, a video is maybe easier to understand ...
- Diamond pattern.gif (6.1 MiB) Viewed 5613 times
Work smart, not hard: QCad Pro
Win10/64, QcadPro, QcadCam version: Current.
If a thread is considered as "solved" please change the title of the first post to "[solved] Title..."
Win10/64, QcadPro, QcadCam version: Current.
If a thread is considered as "solved" please change the title of the first post to "[solved] Title..."
Re: how do i create a grid pattern of repetative circles?
Wow, that is some response. Can't wait to give it a go.
Very much appreciated and will try it tomorrow.
Regards
Nick
Very much appreciated and will try it tomorrow.
Regards
Nick
Re: how do i create a grid pattern of repetative circles?
In DiamondHoles.dxf the center distance is 13.000 units in any direction.
From the fact R = 5 & circular spacing = 3. Diagonal spacing is angled at 60.000 degrees.
In Husky's example the horizontal and vertical distance is 8.000 ... Row & Column Spacing.
Selecting every second row is rather tedious.
Easier with using other colors or distinct layers ... Filtering on display color/layer.
After shifting 1/2 the diagonal spacing is angled at atan(8/4) = 63.43494882292201... degrees ...
... and the distance is 8/sin(atan(8/4)) = 8.94427190999915... units
If equal spacing is required one could set row spacing to 6.9282032302755091741097853660235...
I would use a math expression there we can't enter that value exactly: Row Spacing = "8*sin(60)" without quotes.
By far easier to enter and let QCAD handle the floating point representation.
Bottom line: All depends on what the required diamond pattern is.
Regards,
CVH
Re: how do i create a grid pattern of repetative circles?
Hi
Thanks for the additional information.
You guys are cruising at altitude with the software.
Appreciate your help.
One other question. Is it possible to preset the Grid to reflect centre to centre spacing, so i can 'snap to' ?
ie if i wanted 8mm spacing in any direction
Regards
Thanks for the additional information.
You guys are cruising at altitude with the software.
Appreciate your help.
One other question. Is it possible to preset the Grid to reflect centre to centre spacing, so i can 'snap to' ?
ie if i wanted 8mm spacing in any direction
Regards
Re: how do i create a grid pattern of repetative circles?
The grid can be set per document in Menu .. Edit .. Drawing Preferences (Ctrl+I) .. General .. Grid.
Then you get a Cartesian grid where spacing is not really equal in any direction ... All directions.
This will not be shifted either.
Spacing will then be equal in the both orthogonal directions, not diagonal.
One could miss-use an isometric Grid ...
Kind of a choice ... Horizontal/Vertical OR Any/Circular.
Regards,
CVH
Re: how do i create a grid pattern of repetative circles?
Thanks CVH
Learning all the time thanks to all the great feedback.
Learning all the time thanks to all the great feedback.
Re: how do i create a grid pattern of repetative circles?
Tried both methods to varying degrees but got a little lost with yours CVH but i will go back to it when i am a little more familiar with this software.
In the end i found a solution that was a bit of a mix of both offered and the result turned out ok. Hopefully i get time to offer it up as a solution by way of a later post.
The finished item exceeds the size of my printer which is A4 and does not show on the Print Preview page, so i guess my next questions are -
1.
How do i manipulate the image so it shows up on the Print Preview? I have a suspicion it has to do with where on the Grid i built the image.
2.
As my image exceeds the boundary for A4, will the image automatically print onto two pages? That way at least i can litterally cut 7 tape them together
Regards
Nick
In the end i found a solution that was a bit of a mix of both offered and the result turned out ok. Hopefully i get time to offer it up as a solution by way of a later post.
The finished item exceeds the size of my printer which is A4 and does not show on the Print Preview page, so i guess my next questions are -
1.
How do i manipulate the image so it shows up on the Print Preview? I have a suspicion it has to do with where on the Grid i built the image.
2.
As my image exceeds the boundary for A4, will the image automatically print onto two pages? That way at least i can litterally cut 7 tape them together
Regards
Nick
Persistance pays off
Good news - solution found
Thank you both again for inspiring me.
Managed to find answers to my latest two questions.
Regards
Thank you both again for inspiring me.
Managed to find answers to my latest two questions.
Regards