How to create a quick polar array with the ROTATE command’s Copy option

Instead of creating a polar array, in some situations, you can use the ROTATE command’s Copy option. It works best when you want to end up with 2 or 3 objects, because you need to repeat the ROTATE command for each copy.

For example, let’s say that I want to add 2 more benches around the inner edge of the circle (which is actually two arcs), at 30 degree intervals.

Here are the steps:

1. Select the bench. (It’s a block, so it’s one object.)
2. Start the ROTATE command.
3. At the Specify base point: prompt, specify the Center object snap of the arc.
4. At the Specify rotation angle or [Copy/Reference] <90>: prompt, specify the Copy option.
5. When the Specify rotation angle or [Copy/Reference] <90>: prompt repeats, specify 30 to create the new bench.
6. Press Enter to repeat the ROTATE command.
7. At the Select objects: command, select the second bench and press Enter to end selection.
8. At the Specify base point: prompt, again specify the Center object snap of the arc.
9. At the Specify rotation angle or [Copy/Reference] <30>: prompt, again specify the Copy option. Notice that the command remembered the 30 degree rotation.
10. Press Enter to rotate and copy the second bench.

Here’s the result:

How do you use the Copy option of the ROTATE command?

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Ellen Finkelstein

Ellen Finkelstein is the author of the best-selling AutoCAD & AutoCAD LT Bible, which started with R14. Ellen has written extensively on AutoCAD, including articles for Autodesk’s website and features for AutoCAD’s Help system. Ellen’s first book was AutoCAD For Dummies Quick Reference.

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