How do I use Array Copy, Circular Copy, and Copy Along Vector in VCarve Pro & Aspire to duplicate objects in patterns?

Overview

The software has three distinct copy-and-repeat tools for laying out patterns, grids and repeated elements: Array Copy, Circular Copy and Copy Along Vectors. Knowing which one to use saves a lot of time on signs, decorative panels and production parts. A fourth tool, Array Copy Toolpath, repeats calculated toolpaths instead of vectors (see the end of this entry).

1. Array Copy (Rectangular Grid)

Creates copies of the selected object and lays them out in a grid. The grid size comes from the number of rows and columns you request, and the total number of copies is rows multiplied by columns.

How to use:

1. Select the object(s) to copy.
2. Open Array Copy from the Drawing tab.
3. Set the number of Rows and Columns.
4. Choose the spacing mode, Gap or Offset, and enter the X and Y values.
5. Optionally use Row/Column displacement to shift every other row or column (a brick pattern), and the Symmetry buttons to mirror and rotate copies.
6. Tick Group Copies if you want the new objects grouped when you click Copy.
7. Click Copy.

Gap vs. Offset spacing:

• Gap: the X and Y fields set the empty space between the edges of each copy. Intuitive for production parts ("I want 0.25 inch between each part").
• Offset: the X and Y fields set how far each copy's position is from the preceding one. Useful when you know the grid pitch but not the object size.

Row/Column displacement: a value here offsets every other row or column by that amount, for staggered coaster grids, tile patterns or offset holes.

Symmetry: by default there is no symmetry or rotation. Press the block symmetry buttons to mirror and rotate the copies and build more advanced patterns, such as four-way symmetry from one tile.

Use cases:

• Drilling a grid of holes in a shelf panel
• Laying out repeated decorative tiles
• Creating a sheet of identical parts for batch cutting
• Generating a pegboard hole pattern

2. Circular Copy

Creates copies of the selected object around a full or partial circle. The number of copies is entered directly.

How to use:

1. Select the object to copy.
2. Open Circular Copy from the Drawing tab.
3. Set the number of copies (items).
4. Set the Rotation Center: the absolute X and Y position the copies rotate around. The default is the middle of the selection.

• Tip: the radius comes from how far your source object is from the rotation center. There is no separate radius field, so position the source object at the radius you want before running the tool. If the center is left at the middle of the selection, the copies stack at the same spot.

5. Choose how the angle is set:

• Total Angle: the Total Angle is divided by the number of items to give the angle between each copy (360 for a full circle).
• Step Angle: each copy is placed this angle further around, repeated for the number of items. A negative step angle pastes counter-clockwise; a positive one pastes clockwise.

6. Tick Rotate Copies if each copy should be rotated according to its position on the circle. If it is not ticked, every copy keeps the orientation of the original.
7. Click Copy.

Setting the rotation center interactively: click the selected geometry to show its transform grips, double-click the center grip to show the pivot point, then drag the pivot point handle in the 2D view. This is easier than calculating coordinates.

Use cases:

• Bolt hole patterns on a circular flange
• Decorative spoke or petal arrangements
• Symmetrical medallion designs
• Clock face numerals

3. Copy Along Vectors

Places copies of an object along the length of one or more selected vectors: straight, curved, circular or freeform.

How to use:

1. Select the object to copy first. The first vector or group you select is the one that gets copied.
2. Hold Shift and select the path vector(s) last.
3. Open Copy Along Vectors from the Drawing tab.
4. Choose how to space the copies:

• Distance between copies: the distance along the curve between each pasted object. Tick Force even spacing so copies land at the end points of the curve(s); without it the last copy may not match the exact length.
• Number of copies: spaces that many copies evenly along the entire length.

5. Tick Align objects to curve to rotate each copy perpendicular ("normal") to the curve (good for petals, teeth, feathers). If it is not ticked, copies keep the original orientation.
6. Tick Create copies on new layer to keep the results organized.
7. If the copies come out upside down, tick Reverse Direction to copy the other way along the vectors.
8. Click Copy.

Copy Circles option: if you only need evenly spaced circles, choose Copy Circles and enter the diameter, and the software generates them along the path.

Use cases:

• Evenly spaced holes along a curved rail
• Decorative elements following an arch or oval border
• Teeth on a gear profile
• Repeating scroll or vine elements along a frame
• Holes evenly spaced around a circle (draw the circle as the path)

Workflow for a circular dot border: draw a circle at the border diameter, select it, open Copy Along Vectors, choose Copy Circles, set the dot diameter and spacing, tick Force even spacing, and click Copy.

Quick Copy Tips (No Tool Needed)

• Ctrl+drag: hold Ctrl and drag a selected object to paste a copy each time you release the mouse button.
• Ctrl+Alt+drag: makes a copy aligned horizontally or vertically with the original.
• Ctrl+C then Ctrl+V: copy and paste, then drag the pasted copy into position.
• Ctrl+H: create a mirror copy horizontally.
• Ctrl+Shift+H and Ctrl+Shift+V: create a mirror copy horizontally or vertically around the center of the material.

Array Copy Toolpath (Production Tool)

Separate from the design tools is Array Copy Toolpath, which duplicates one or more calculated TOOLPATHS into a grid. Use it for production runs where the same part is cut many times from a sheet.

• Advantage: you can edit your original toolpaths afterward and the array of copies updates automatically.
• Position: the grid is always created to the right of and above the source toolpaths, so place the source toolpaths in the bottom left corner of the area the array should fill.
• Rows (Y), Columns (X) and spacing: the Offset and Gap options work as in Array Copy.
• Minimize tool changes: available only if the source toolpaths use different tools. It groups toolpaths with the same tool across the copies so the whole array is cut with the fewest tool changes.

Common Mistakes

• Forgetting the radius in Circular Copy is set by the source object's distance from the rotation center. Entering only the center leaves copies clustered at the center.
• Not ticking Force even spacing in Copy Along Vectors, so copies do not reach the end of the path.
• Not selecting the path last in Copy Along Vectors. The tool then cannot tell which is the path and which is the object.
• Mixing up Gap and Offset in Array Copy and getting copies that overlap or sit too far apart.