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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Moncton, NB Canada
    Posts
    163

    Default Angle of constraint

    Hi Everybody,

    How can I figure out what value to enter for the Angle of Constraint ?

    Suppose I want to plant five duplicates of an object around a circle, I can anchor the center of the object
    to the dead-center of the circle. Then I can select the object and the <Ctrl> button and move
    the object along a circular path.
    Mine doesn't!
    what value will I need, and how do I determine what that value should be?
    What if there are to be six duplicates or nine?
    Many Thanks,
    -Paul-
    If I wasn't so stupid, I wouldn't have to be so persistent.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    South Australia
    Posts
    141

    Default Re: Angle of constraint

    Divide 360 by the number of items. So,

    for 5 items , it's 360 ÷ 5 = 72°
    for 6 items , it's 360 ÷ 5 = 60°
    for 9 items , it's 360 ÷ 5 = 40°

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    SW England
    Posts
    18,486

    Default Re: Angle of constraint

    Paul, use the QuickShape Tool and create a Star with the required number of points.
    Clone and drag your shape onto each star tip.
    Change the Star to a Circle.

    Avoid the maths and having to adjust the Constraint Angle at all.

    Acorn
    Acorn - installed Xara software: Cloud+/Pro+ and most others back through time (to CC's Artworks). Contact for technical remediation/consultancy for your web designs.
    When we provide assistance, your responses are valuable as they benefit the community. TG Nuggets you might like. Report faults: Xara Cloud+/Pro+/Magix Legacy; Xara KB & Chat

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Moncton, NB Canada
    Posts
    163

    Default Re: Angle of constraint

    Thank you, Promidi and Acorn,

    I'm following your advice, but the duplicating object still doesn't:
    • Follow the curve of the larger circle,
    • "snap" to the location that should be constrained by the Angle Constraint,
    • Or does the duplicating object maintain its' positioning on the circle.


    Think of the teeth on a gear. I've set the Angle of Constraint to 10, to set up for 36 teeth along the curve.

    As you can see in the example, I can place any of those duplicating-teeth objects whereever I want to.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    What am I doing wrong? I'm sure I've seen this tool work before, and the teeth will "snap" to position all
    36 teeth right where they are supposed to be.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

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    Many Thanks,
    -Paul-
    If I wasn't so stupid, I wouldn't have to be so persistent.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    SW England
    Posts
    18,486

    Default Re: Angle of constraint

    Paul, to follow the circle curve you need to set shape Origin Point to that of the centre of the circle.
    Getting the centre just right with a circle is difficult when it is not selected. So instead, fit a small square with one corner on the circle centre and drag the shape origin onto that.
    Any rotation then follow the circumference.

    You can click and drag a shape anywhere.
    For your approach to work, you need to Clone and Rotate around the centre of the circle.
    This will also orient the shapes from the centre.

    Easier is to use starred shapes with curved corners.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Cogs.xar

    Acorn
    Acorn - installed Xara software: Cloud+/Pro+ and most others back through time (to CC's Artworks). Contact for technical remediation/consultancy for your web designs.
    When we provide assistance, your responses are valuable as they benefit the community. TG Nuggets you might like. Report faults: Xara Cloud+/Pro+/Magix Legacy; Xara KB & Chat

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    England
    Posts
    1,205

    Default Re: Angle of constraint

    An alternative, just for fun! , way to make equal spaces around a circle using a SmartShape (Pie Chart 2).

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Jono (Jon)
    Xara Photo & Graphic Designer+

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2000
    Location
    Harwich, Essex, England
    Posts
    22,101

    Default Re: Angle of constraint

    And another way:

    VIDEO
    Attached Files Attached Files
    Egg

    Minis Forum UM780XTX AMD Ryzen7 7840HS with AMD Radeon 780M Graphics + 32 GB Ram + MSI Optix Mag321 Curv monitor
    + 1Tb SSD + 232 GB SSD + 250 GB SSD portable drive + ISP = BT + Web Hosting = TSO Host

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    England
    Posts
    1,205

    Default Re: Angle of constraint

    Quote Originally Posted by Egg Bramhill View Post
    And another way:

    VIDEO
    Nice one Egg, that works a treat!

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    Jono (Jon)
    Xara Photo & Graphic Designer+

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    SW England
    Posts
    18,486

    Default Re: Angle of constraint

    @Jono, nice.

    Don't forget custom brushes.

    Acorn
    Acorn - installed Xara software: Cloud+/Pro+ and most others back through time (to CC's Artworks). Contact for technical remediation/consultancy for your web designs.
    When we provide assistance, your responses are valuable as they benefit the community. TG Nuggets you might like. Report faults: Xara Cloud+/Pro+/Magix Legacy; Xara KB & Chat

 

 

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