setting up a set of circles in a circle

[cjablonski]

I am trying to cut a gear and add holes on the face of the gear equally spacedaround the face of the perimeter. Anyone know how this is done easily in v carve pro version 6?

[Eagle55]

I think this is what you are trying to do. Draw a circle with the appropriate diameter within your gear with the same center point as your gear then use the "copy along vector" function and specify the number of holes, diameter, align vectors to curve and then create and it will place the number of circles equally space around the inner reference circle.

Roger

[Loudspeakerboy]

Too easy!!

Thanks for the tip..

[Eagle55]

Ha ha ha... I can make it harder if you want Trust me I have taken the long way around many times only to see the simple way just as I am finishing up the task.

Roger

[BillK]

That is one way to do it. There is another command that may be slightly easier as it is special to arranging objects in a circular or rectangular fashion. Right next to the copy object along vectors, copy objects in linear or circular array.

The array command allows you to draw one object in the proper location and copy it. In the case of copying circles, there is not much difference except there is no need to draw the bolt circle. The array command allows you to rotate copies around the array which is very useful for non-circles.

I use copy along vectors for non-circular, non-rectangular arrangements.

[Eagle55]

Dang..... I never saw that tool before! LOL That is a better way to do it. I wish I had learned that before I put the minute tick marks on a clock face that I made. I found myself calculating the circumference trying determine the spacing between marks the other way. That's one of the great things about the forum. Sometimes it pushes you to learn things you might not otherwise stumble around and find. I have just about got enough experience that reading the manual might even help. LOL Thanks Bill (you are my design mentor anyway

Roger

[cjablonski]

Thanks to all for the many replies. You hit the nail on the head regarding placing holes on a gear. Reading minds is another great, yet strange, feature of this forum .