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?