Grid Array

The Grid Array operator arranges selected mesh objects into a grid in the X and Y axis. When clicked, you will be shown the redo panel where you can modify the different properties or settings to edit the result of the grid array arrangement of the selected objects.

Figure 1

This needs two or more selected objects in order to work. It will also require and active object in the selection or it can produce an error when using the Active Sort method. The active object is usually the last one in the selection order and is highlighted in a different color than the rest.

Figure 2

In Figure 2, when the selection has no active object, you can just select on them to make them the active object. The highlight color for the selected objects depends on the Blender theme that you are using.

Here are the redo properties and what they do:

Sort

This determines the sort method when arranging the 3D models into a grid.

Figure 3

• Active : This arranges the selected objects into a grid with the active object placed in the first row and column. There is no special sort method used for the rest of the selected objects.

• Name : This sorts the selected objects based on their name in the ascending order.

• Smallest : This sorts the selected objects from the smallest to the biggest. The size is based on their dimension.

• Biggest : This sorts the selected objets from the biggest to the smallest. The size is based on their dimension.

• Random : This sorts the selected objects in random. The result of the randomization can be controlled using a random seed property which appears when this Sort method is selected.

The location of the active object selected will be used to position the first row and column of the grid array.

Seed

This will only appear when the Random Sort method is used and will let you choose the randomization pattern you want.

Offset

This will let you offset or crate a margin for the arranged objects in the X and Y axis.

Figure 4

Steps

This determines the number of objects that can be placed in a row or column based on their total number.

Figure 5

Location

This determines the direction of the rows and columns which can be represented by the X and Y axis respectively.

Figure 6

The main inspiration for this operator are the 3D model sets I see online being sold. They are arranged neatly in a grid and I wanted my own tool make it easier for me to achieve the same effect.