AG Array Live Effect

AG Array is an Astute Graphics live effect for creating arrays, or grids, of artwork. It includes multiple methods of specifying the horizontal and vertical sizes, and can stagger the items as well as switch their stacking order.

As with most live effects, AG Array appears in the main menu, under Effect > AG Utilities. It can also be applied directly from the Appearance panel using the “Add New Effect” button at the bottom of the panel.

AG Array Parameters Dialog

After applying the live effect using the menu item (or when clicking on the existing effect in the Appearance panel to edit it), the parameters dialog will appear: 

AG Array Parameters Dialog

1. Column Spacing Mode

The column spacing of the array can be specified in one of four ways:

• a. Fixed (Absolute): The horizontal offset between columns is specified as an absolute value (for example, 72 pt). If this value is smaller than the width of the art object, the columns will overlap. The number of columns is also specified, from 1 to 1000.

AG Array Spacing - Fixed (Absolute) Mode

• b. Fixed (Relative): The offset between columns is specified as a percentage value relative to the width of the bounding box of the art (for example, 150%). If this value is less than 100%, the columns will overlap. As with Fixed (Absolute), the number of columns is also specified, from 1 to 1000. 

AG Array Spacing - Fixed (Relative) Mode

• c. Total Dimension: The overall width of the array is specified. If this value is equal to or smaller than the width of the art object, then all of the columns will be stacked atop each other. Otherwise AG Array adjusts the offset so the specified number of columns is evenly spaced across the width.

AG Array Spacing - Total Dimension Mode

• d. Fill: As with Total Dimension mode, the final width of the array is specified. AG Array then creates as many columns as will fit in this width while keeping the gutter between columns equal to or greater than the Minimum Gutter value. 

AG Array Spacing - Fill Mode

2. Row Spacing Mode

The row spacing of the array can be specified in one of four ways:

• a. Fixed (Absolute): The vertical offset between rows is specified as an absolute value (for example, 72 pt). If this value is smaller than the height of the art object, the rows will overlap. The number of rows is also specified, from 1 to 1000.

• b. Fixed (Relative): The offset between rows is specified as a percentage value relative to the height of the bounding box of the art (for example, 150%). If this value is less than 100%, the rows will overlap. As with Fixed (Absolute), the number of rows is also specified, from 1 to 1000.

• c. Total Dimension: The overall height of the array is specified. If this value is equal to or smaller than the height of the art object, then all of the rows will be stacked atop each other. Otherwise AG Array adjusts the offset so the specified number of rows is evenly spaced across the height.

• d. Fill: As with Total Dimension mode, the final height of the array is specified. AG Array then creates as many rows as will fit in this height while keeping the gutter between rows equal to or greater than the Minimum Gutter value.

3. Use Preview Bounds

Overrides the general preference of the same name. When enabled, the strokes and live effects of the artwork are included in its bounding box, which affects column or row positioning unless the spacing mode is set to Fixed (Absolute).

AG Array Use Preview Bounds

4. Stagger

When enabled, alternate rows (or columns) are shortened by one item and shifted so their items fall halfway between those of the previous row or column. 

AG Array Stagger

5. Orientation

Specifies the orientation of the entire array in relation to the bounding box of the original art. The default is to have the upper left corner of the array in the same location as the upper left corner of the original art.

AG Array Orientation

6. Stacking Order

Specifies how the items in the array are stacked: Upwards by Row, Upwards by Column, Downwards by Row, or Downwards by Column, where row items are created from left to right and column items are created from top to bottom.

AG Array Stacking Order

7. Edge Only

When enabled, only the first and last columns and rows of the array will be populated.

AG Array Edge Only

8. Informational area

Shows a brief description of each control when the cursor is being hovered over it.

9. Preview

As with all live effects, when enabled, changing a parameter will immediately update the artwork while the dialog is still open.

10. Help Button

Opens the help documentation in the Astute Manager. If this does not automatically appear, please ensure your Astute Manager is running first.