Modify Repeat Shapes Settings

Use this feature to define an existing shape as a repeat. Depending on the parameters you define here, quickly create exact copies of the shape contained within a bounding box. Repeating shapes are automatically grouped with the original shape. Access this dialog by selecting a shape, then doing any of the following:

What's on the Screen?

Use this element… …to…

Shape Size

View the current width and height of the individual shape the repeat is based on and select the unit of measurement for each dimension. You cannot change the shape size.

Behavior

Define the type of repetition to perform. Choices are:

  • The number of shapes remain constant as you change the bounding box size. The size of the individual shapes and the spacing between shapes change to fill the bounding box.

    Shape size = 1.5 - 1/6" Width and Height

    Behavior = Normal

    Horizontal and Vertical Repetition = Number 3

    Spacing = 3 - 1/6"

    The number of shapes is always 9 (3x3). The size of the 9 shapes changes (does NOT remain 1.5 - 1/6"); the space between them also changes (does NOT remain 3 - 1/6") as the bounding box size changes.

  • The size of each shape and spacing between shapes remains constant as you change the bounding box size. The number of shapes changes to fill the bounding box.

    Behavior = Normal

    Horizontal and Vertical Repetition = Number 3

    Spacing = 3 - 1/6"

    The size of the shapes is always 1.5 - 16"; they will always be 3 - 1/6" apart. The number of shapes (originally 9) changes as the bounding box size changes.

  • Causes the size of each shape and number of shapes to remain constant as bounding box size is changed. As the bounding box size is changed, the space between shapes changes to fill the bounding box.

    Behavior = Normal

    Horizontal and Vertical Repetition = Number 3

    Spacing = 3 - 1/6"

    The number of shapes is always 9 (3x3); the size of the shapes will always be 1.5 - 1/6". The space between shapes (originally 3 - 1/6") changes as the bounding box size changes.

Demo

View an example of each behavior type.

Horizontal Repetition

Set the parameters for repeating the shape horizontally:

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Number

 Specify the number of repetitions of the individual shape for the horizontal (X) axis. You must enter a number greater than 1 to repeat shapes.

Spacing

Specify you the spacing between repeated shapes for the horizontal (X) axis. You must enter a number greater than 0 to separate the repeated shapes. The unit of measurement can be set in points, millimeters, inches, or fractions of an inch (1/5, 1/6, 1/8, and 1/10).

Vertical Repetition

Set the parameters for repeating the shape vertically:

Use this element… …to…

Number

 Specify the number of repetitions of the individual shape for the vertical (Y) axis. You must enter a number greater than 1 to repeat shapes.

Spacing

Specify the spacing between repeated shapes for the vertical (X) axis. You must enter a number greater than 0 to separate the repeated shapes. The unit of measurement can be set in points, millimeters, inches, or fractions of an inch (1/5, 1/6, 1/8, and 1/10).

How do I…

  1. Select a shape.
  2. Do one of the following:
    • right-click and choose Repeat
    • Select Shape > Repeat
    • press Ctrl+R on your keyboard
  3. Drag the mouse to change the size of the bounding box.

    4. The shapes within the bounding box will be repeated automatically according to the setting you define using this dialog.

Ungroup the repeated shape. Ungrouping the repeat removes the repeated copies, returning to the original single shape.