Repeat Control

This chapter provides details on how the placement of control lines and the selection of repetition parameters can be used to duplicate shapes within a PAM.

You can use the Repeat control to define the number of copies of one or more shapes in a Parameterized Artwork Macro (PAM) that are made when you place the PAM in a layout. Repetition takes place relative to a control line, which may be at any angle.

As with many controls, before you define the repetition parameters, you must first identify the shape(s) that you want to effect and add a control line (construction line).

Repeat Direction

Repeat direction is defined relative to the repeat control line (construction line). Repetition can take place parallel to a control line, perpendicular to a control line, or in both directions.

If the control line is horizontal, Parallel goes right/left, Perpendicular goes up/down.

If the control line is vertical, Parallel goes up/down, Perpendicular goes right/left.

Even when the control line is at an angle, Parallel is still parallel to the construction line and Perpendicular is still perpendicular to it.

Repeating in Both directions generates an array-like grid of the repeated shapes.

For details on positive and negative directions with regard to control lines, see Using Control Lines.

Number of Items

This parameter enables you to define how many times the shape or group of shapes are placed when you use the PAM in a layout.

Repeat Distance

Repeat Distance is the distance from the beginning of one occurrence to the beginning of the next. This distance is similar to a wavelength in that it includes both the length of the shape and the space between the end of the first shape and the beginning of the second shape.

When step distance is negative, the shapes repeat in the opposite direction: