Align and Distribute Objects Evenly around a Circular Path

[Marsha...@adobeforums.com]

How do I align objects and distribute evenly on a circular path? Especially if the objects are straight lines and I want them to be placed vertically and evenly around a circle. For example, the hash marks on a speedometer are vertical lines, but distributed evenly in a circular shape. I've gone throught the align/distribute video, but doesn't explain circular paths. I have Adobe CS3 for Windows XP.

[Stephe...@adobeforums.com]

Marsha:

Yes.

steve

[Marsha...@adobeforums.com]

Thanks Steve. Guess what I was looking for was an "easy button" from the new and improved CS3 in the align/distribute for a circular path, rather than just the horziontal and vertical axes. I figured after all these years, Adobe would have added that in rather than the 3 methods that still require extra steps.

[Harron_K....@adobeforums.com]

See, also...

"align shape along a path" #1, 9 Jul 2008 6:13 am </webx?14@@.59b5bf13/0>

[Stephe...@adobeforums.com]

Here are three methods (but there are more):

You could use the rotate tool by planting the center of rotation relative to the first line (the center of the circle) and rotate with copy. Then repeat (Ctrl + d) around the circle. Look it up in the help files.

You could make a blend between two of the lines with the number of copies you need in between, and then replace the spine with a circle.

You could make a scatter brush with a vertical line (no variation in the settings except the spacing between lines set Fixed and Rotation relative to path set), and then apply it to a circle.

steve

[Jacob...@adobeforums.com]

Marsha,

For example, the hash marks on a speedometer are vertical lines

Well, not exactly.

Apart from that, what Steve and Harron said.

[tma...@adobeforums.com]

I've done this many times and there's a simple trick to it as long as you want an even number of tick marks. Make the line, duplicate it, move one of the lines below the other, and align them horizontally. Group the lines and bring up the Transform dialog. Click on Preview so you can see what you're doing. Enter the number of copies you want and then the angle to rotate the copies. You should see a perfectly arranged circle of lines. Expand Appearance to work with the lines further.

Example: to make the tick marks for a clock face, make the first pair of lines, group them, make 5 copies, and rotate 30 degrees.

[Sithar...@adobeforums.com]

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