Block copying an assembly

Use the Block Copy tool to create multiple copies of the root Assembly and any of the assembly items  in the Project Tree in a grid format.

To create a block of copies in a grid format:

1. In the Project Tree, select the root Assembly or the assembly from which you want to create a block of copies in a grid format. The Assembly panel is displayed below the splitter bar.
2. In the Tools area of the Assembly panel, click the Block Copy  button to display the Block Copy panel.
3. In the Transform Relative To area, select the origin you want to use when copying and pasting the assembly. To copy and paste the assembly relative to:
   • the origin of the root Assembly, select World Centre. This method is selected by default.
   • its own origin, select Component Centre.
4. In the Tangent Plane area, select the axes along which you want to paste the resulting rows and columns of copies. To paste rows along the:
   • X-axis and columns along the Y-axis, select X-Y Plane.
   • Y-axis and columns along the Z-axis, select Y-Z Plane.
   • Z-axis and columns along the X-axis, select Z-X Plane.
   • The options in the Tangent Plane area are colour coordinated with the model datum shown in the 3D view. This makes it easier to display the direction in which the resulting rows and columns of copies are pasted.
5. To paste the rows of copies in the opposite direction, select Reverse row direction.
   • The default direction in which the resulting rows and columns are pasted depends on whether a positive or negative value is used when defining the offset distance.
6. To paste the columns of copies in the opposite direction, select Reverse column direction.
7. In the Shape of surface to paste along area, select the shape along which you want to paste the rows and columns of copies. To paste the copies:
   • along a flat surface, select Plane.
   • around a cylindrical surface, select Cylinder.
   • around a spherical surface, select Sphere.
8. In the Offset box, specify the distance between each copy.
   • You can use a positive or negative value when specifying the offset distance. When using a positive value, the resulting copies are pasted in a clockwise direction around a cylindrical or spherical surface, and forwards along a flat surface. When using a negative value, the resulting copies are pasted counter-clockwise around a cylindrical or spherical surface, and backwards along a flat surface.
9. In the Number of Rows box, specify the total number of rows in which you want to paste the assembly copies.
10. In the Number of Columns box, specify the total number of columns in which you want to paste the assembly copies.
11. To keep the original assembly item and store each resulting copy as a new assembly item in the Project Tree, select Nest inside new assembly.
12. Click  to copy and paste the assembly according to your settings.
    • You can click  on the Project panel or  on the splitter bar to close the Block Copy tool settings.