Help Required w/ Centering Multiple Duplicated Hexagons

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VE5MDH
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Help Required w/ Centering Multiple Duplicated Hexagons

Post by VE5MDH »

I am using Aspire 11.010
Image55.jpg
.

I am trying to create a board with many Hexagons within. See Attached image. Right now I have about 16 x 21 rows of 1" hexagons on my project (Size of project = 16 x 11 x 1.25in).

What my issue is, is the hexagons are nicely placed in the project piece, BUT it is NOT perfect! I would like to have this project with a spacing of 0.075" between each and every Hexagon! Some of the spacings are like 0.07, 0.086, 0.067, (you get the picture, I hope), no 2 are identical! Close, but far from perfect for CNC work!

I have used the Alignment Tools and have tried both Centering Tools. This technique failed to balance the spaces between all of the individual Hexagons.

Your Assistance Is Highly Appreciated! Thanks for your time looking into helping me and my situation.

Michael

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Re: Help Required w/ Centering Multiple Duplicated Hexagons

Post by ZipperHead55 »

Did you use the Array Copy tool?It's on the Drawing tab, under Offset and Layout.

Allan

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FixitMike
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Re: Help Required w/ Centering Multiple Duplicated Hexagons

Post by FixitMike »

A 1" hexagon has a side length of .57737"
The vertical distance center to center with a .075" spacing is 1.075".
Adjacent columns are offset in Y (1.075")/2=.5375"
Adjacent columns are offset in X .9310"

With this information, you should be able to array the hexagons.
Hexagons.crv
(202 KiB) Downloaded 87 times
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VE5MDH
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Re: Help Required w/ Centering Multiple Duplicated Hexagons

Post by VE5MDH »

ZipperHead55 wrote:
Fri May 06, 2022 3:46 am
Did you use the Array Copy tool?It's on the Drawing tab, under Offset and Layout.

Allan
Thank you kindly Allan. No, I have never had any use for that tool, and I was thinking in the back of my head that Array had something to do with this. I'll see if I can find a tutorial on how to use the Array Tool.

Thanks for your wonderful input tonight, Allan!

Michael

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Re: Help Required w/ Centering Multiple Duplicated Hexagons

Post by VE5MDH »

FixitMike wrote:
Fri May 06, 2022 3:47 am
A 1" hexagon has a side length of .57737"
The vertical distance center to center with a .075" spacing is 1.075".
Adjacent columns are offset in Y (1.075")/2=.5375"
Adjacent columns are offset in X .9310"

With this information, you should be able to array the hexagons.Hexagons.crv
Wow! What wonderful ideas (and answers) for my puzzling problem! Thanks for your Math with my issue, Mike!

I'll be taking some time to understand (better) just how Arrays are used (sure, I know that you use them for cookie cutting multiples), but I think I should spend some time towards watching (and re-watching a few of those Tutorials, and right-ups).

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

Fantastic!

Oh, and thank you kindly for attaching your file, which shows in detail how it all is explained! Thanks once again, Mike!!! :D :D

Michael :D

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Re: Help Required w/ Centering Multiple Duplicated Hexagons

Post by FixitMike »

The Help-Help Contents explains a lot about how each tool and toolpath works.
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VE5MDH
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Re: Help Required w/ Centering Multiple Duplicated Hexagons

Post by VE5MDH »

FixitMike wrote:
Fri May 06, 2022 7:40 am
The Help-Help Contents explains a lot about how each tool and toolpath works.
Mike, I am caught off guard here. My wife asked me to change the distance between each hex to 0.1". I sure am missing something understanding setting the distance between each hex. The patterns that are a result of my tweaking turns into visual pollution!

Clumped together, or Spread apart farther than I could expect.

Outside of reading the HELP files, which are in depth, but sometimes videos or pictures are better for that third dimension when learning something new. Could you point me in the right direction where to get a better understanding on how to use the Array Copy function. I've watched a couple Vectric videos, and one by Mark Lindsey as well. The videos and text are just not hitting home for me on grasping the correct useage of the Array features.

Thanks, and I'm so very sorry that I was unable to fully grasp your earlier assistance on this topic. At first I though I had a good understanding, until my Wife asked me to tweak the boarders between the hex's. from 1.075" to 1.100" (oh, and I never understood just how you arrived at 0.9310" for the X value (and where that would be entered?).

Thanks Mike!!!...

Michael

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Re: Help Required w/ Centering Multiple Duplicated Hexagons

Post by FixitMike »

What I did to get the .9310 dimension.:
1) Make a hexagon of the correct size.
2) Copy it in place (Control V, Control C) I used another layer with a different color for the copy to help me see what was happening..
3) Move the copy up half (the height of the hex plus the space) using the Move Selection tool.
4) Offset outwards the original the amount of the space you want between copies. Do not check the box "Create sharp offset corners".
5) Set up the snapping options (F4). Check the boxes for "Snap Guides to Geometry", "Span End Parts", and "Object Centers".
6) Now double click on the copy (2) to select it.
7) Click on the lower left corner of the copy, and drag it so the corner snaps to the proper place on the offset outline you got in (4).
8.) Delete the offset outline.
9. Use the Dimension tool to get the dimension. The dimension is used with the array tool to offset the columns in X (twice the measurement)

The Help-Help Contents will tell you what each box in the tool and toolpath windows does. That tells me how to use the tools.
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VE5MDH
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Re: Help Required w/ Centering Multiple Duplicated Hexagons

Post by VE5MDH »

FixitMike wrote:
Fri May 06, 2022 5:37 pm
What I did to get the .9310 dimension.: ...
Thanks Mike for your personal tutorial! I did get lost after 5 or 6, but that is OK! I was able to fight my way through getting the exact pattern I was aiming for, and with my Wife's request of 0.1" between every hexagon! And when push comes to shove, well as long as the end game is what we were seeking, who cares about how we got there. Yes, I will be taking much time to read through the HELP-HELP files on ARRAY. I think I tripped once I saw that ARRAY is used in both the Drawings side, as well as the Tool Path side!

I've included a few pictures of what you have helped me get to today! And I THANK you for that, Mike!!!

(Looks like the images got shuffled about)
Image58.jpg
Toolpaths showing final cut.
Image60.jpg
Where did all these errors originate from??? Oh well!
Image59.jpg
What it should look like when cut.

And the Aspire file: Don't laugh! I know I have much to learn here!
16x11x1.25in Perfect.crv3d
(1.99 MiB) Downloaded 47 times
I call it Perfect, but it sure is far from that!

Thanks once again for your wonderful assistance!

Michael

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Re: Help Required w/ Centering Multiple Duplicated Hexagons

Post by VE5MDH »

LOL... :D

I just deleted 95% of duplicated hexagons sitting (hiding) on top of one another! (Learning Curve!) that are hiding in that CRV3D file!

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Re: Help Required w/ Centering Multiple Duplicated Hexagons

Post by FixitMike »

Your posted file is saved from Aspire. The default is a .crv3d which can be read only by those using Aspire. If the file is made using only 2D vectors and no 3D models, you can Save As a VCarve file (.crv) and then the viewers using VCarve can view it when it is posted.

Info for VCarve users: If you download a free trial copy of Aspire, you can use it to view an Aspire file and save it as a .crv if you wish. The only disadvantage is that whenever Aspire is updated, you have to download a trial copy again to use it.. An old trial copy of Aspire won't run.

One does have to be careful to differentiate between (drawing) tools and toolpaths. Also, the VCarve program, and the VCarve toolpath. We are capable of becoming confused all by ourselves without these "land mines".

I would suggest learning how layers work and how you can use them. I find them very useful, especially that you can make the vectors on different layers different colors so you can tell them apart.
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Re: Help Required w/ Centering Multiple Duplicated Hexagons

Post by FixitMike »

CORRECTION TO POST ABOVE!
To make a copy of an selected object: Control C, Control V.
Not: Control V, Control C!
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Re: Help Required w/ Centering Multiple Duplicated Hexagons

Post by FixitMike »

Another (much easier) method:
Rotate the hex 30 degrees.
Array copy, one row, many columns, with a .10 gap.
Rotate the entire array back 30 degrees.
Array copy, one column, many rows, Y Offset 1.10".
Delete unwanted hexes.
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VE5MDH
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Re: Help Required w/ Centering Multiple Duplicated Hexagons

Post by VE5MDH »

FixitMike wrote:
Fri May 06, 2022 8:34 pm
Another (much easier) method:
Rotate the hex 30 degrees.
Array copy, one row, many columns, with a .10 gap.
Rotate the entire array back 30 degrees.
Array copy, one column, many rows, Y Offset 1.10".
Delete unwanted hexes.
Wonderful ideas here Mike! I will play around with your ideas for sure! BTW, I think my wife wants me to make a cutting board for her (today is her Birthday!). I wonder if I have to Vcarve her Honeycomb inlays, and use a 60 v-bit instead of the 1/8" EM to cut the pockets for a tight fit. I'm thinking that the "Plugs" may not fit into the "Pockets" if I cut them out with a 0.125EM (1/8).

I see more "Designer" firewood being made in the near future, eh! LOL... :lol: I'll start out with some scrap pine before I try this on Maple, Walnut, or some other ideas she has brewing for me! :D :lol: :)

Michael

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Re: Help Required w/ Centering Multiple Duplicated Hexagons

Post by FixitMike »

If you are cutting inlays, use the inlay toolpath for both parts. If you intend to use a V bit, it will be a Zank inlay, which can be quite complex to fully understand.
You will have to make a hex array with more than .10" spacing if you intend to use it to cut out hex plugs with a 1/8" bit.

Also, cutting boards are best made with the end grain exposed for the best wear. This means multiple pieces glued together rather than an inlay. I would suggest viewing YouTube instructions.
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