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Lacados LAKManual Vectric Aspire V12

How to copy vectors along vectors in Vectric software | Offset and Layout Tools

Overview

Section titled “Overview”

This video explains how to use the Copy Along Vectors tool in Vectric Aspire V12. It demonstrates copying objects (e.g., stars) or circles along selected vectors, with controls for spacing, copy count, alignment to curves, layer assignment, and reverse direction.

Steps

Section titled “Steps”
  1. Go to the Drawing tab and open the Offset and Layout section. Click Copy Along Vectors.
  2. Select the object you want to copy.
  3. Hold Shift and left-click the vector(s) you want to copy along. The form options become active.
  4. Choose a copy method:
    • Distance between copies – enter a spacing value (e.g., 2 inches).
    • Number of copies – specify how many copies to place, optionally aligned to vector points.
  5. Click Copy to apply.
  6. For circles:
    • Enable Copy circles.
    • Set the circle diameter (e.g., 0.25).
    • Set either the distance between circles or the number of copies.
    • Click Copy.
  7. To align objects to the curve:
    • Go back to Copy object mode and disable Copy circles.
    • Hold Shift and select the curve/arc.
    • Enable Align to curve.
    • Click Copy – the objects will rotate to follow the curve’s orientation.
  8. To copy to a new layer:
    • Enable Create copies on a new layer.
    • Click the new layer option and rename it (e.g., “Curve”).
    • Click Copy – the new copies are placed on that layer.
  9. To reverse the placement direction:
    • Enable Reverse direction before clicking Copy.
    • The copies will be generated in the opposite direction along the selected vector.

Key Points / Warnings

Section titled “Key Points / Warnings”
  • You must hold Shift while selecting the target vector; otherwise, the copy options remain unavailable.
  • Use Ctrl+Z to undo a copy operation and adjust settings.
  • Distance between copies produces consistent spacing; Number of copies places copies evenly, often matching the points/vertices of the selected vector.
  • Align to curve rotates each copy to match the curve’s local orientation. Disable it to keep objects in their original orientation.
  • Copy circles replaces object copies with circles of a specified diameter.
  • Reverse direction flips the start point/order of the copied sequence along the vector.
  • Copying to a new layer automatically creates a separate layer for the copied objects, leaving the originals untouched.