{"id":2680,"date":"2025-09-12T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-12T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/?post_type=knowledge-base&#038;p=2680"},"modified":"2025-10-21T11:15:04","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T11:15:04","slug":"how-to-create-patterns-with-the-rectangular-array-tool","status":"publish","type":"knowledge-base","link":"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/knowledge-base\/how-to-create-patterns-with-the-rectangular-array-tool\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Create Patterns with the Rectangular Array Tool"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>Rectangular Array<\/strong> tool is a powerful feature in DRAWings PRO XII that allows you to quickly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/knowledge-base\/how-to-move-scale-and-duplicate-objects\/\">duplicate<\/a> any selected object into a precise, grid-based pattern. This is perfect for creating backgrounds, fills, and complex repetitive embroidery designs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This guide will walk you through how to use the tool, from basic setup to advanced transformations.<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed wp-block-embed-youtube is-type-video is-provider-youtube epyt-figure\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><div class=\"epyt-video-wrapper\"><div  style=\"display: block; margin: 0px auto;\"  id=\"_ytid_93593\"  width=\"1290\" height=\"725\"  data-origwidth=\"1290\" data-origheight=\"725\" data-facadesrc=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/OgOLMRaQ3EU?enablejsapi=1&#038;autoplay=0&#038;cc_load_policy=0&#038;cc_lang_pref=&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;loop=0&#038;rel=0&#038;fs=1&#038;playsinline=0&#038;autohide=2&#038;theme=dark&#038;color=red&#038;controls=1&#038;disablekb=0&#038;\" class=\"__youtube_prefs__ epyt-facade no-lazyload\" data-epautoplay=\"1\" ><img decoding=\"async\" data-spai-excluded=\"true\" class=\"epyt-facade-poster skip-lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"YouTube player\" src=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/OgOLMRaQ3EU\/maxresdefault.jpg\" title=\"\"><button class=\"epyt-facade-play\" aria-label=\"Play\"><svg data-no-lazy=\"1\" height=\"100%\" version=\"1.1\" viewBox=\"0 0 68 48\" width=\"100%\"><path class=\"ytp-large-play-button-bg\" d=\"M66.52,7.74c-0.78-2.93-2.49-5.41-5.42-6.19C55.79,.13,34,0,34,0S12.21,.13,6.9,1.55 C3.97,2.33,2.27,4.81,1.48,7.74C0.06,13.05,0,24,0,24s0.06,10.95,1.48,16.26c0.78,2.93,2.49,5.41,5.42,6.19 C12.21,47.87,34,48,34,48s21.79-0.13,27.1-1.55c2.93-0.78,4.64-3.26,5.42-6.19C67.94,34.95,68,24,68,24S67.94,13.05,66.52,7.74z\" fill=\"#f00\"><\/path><path d=\"M 45,24 27,14 27,34\" fill=\"#fff\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Getting Started<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before you can create an array, you need a base object.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Select Your Object<\/strong>: On the design canvas, click to select the shape or design you wish to duplicate.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Activate the Tool<\/strong>: Navigate to the <strong>Tools Bar<\/strong> on the left. In the <strong>Arrays<\/strong> section, click on the <strong>Rectangular Array<\/strong> icon. The software will immediately generate a default grid pattern from your selected object.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Making Adjustments to Your Array<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once the initial array is created, you can customize it using either the options bar or the interactive on-screen handles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Method 1: Using the Tool Options Bar (Numeric Control)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For precise adjustments, use the options that appear in the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/knowledge-base\/how-to-use-numeric-transformations-and-the-tool-options-bar\/\">tool options bar<\/a><\/strong> at the top of the screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Copies<\/strong>: Set the exact number of <strong>horizontal<\/strong> and <strong>vertical<\/strong> copies you want in your grid.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Spacing<\/strong>: Define the precise distance between each copy, both horizontally and vertically.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Method 2: Using On-Screen Handles (Visual Control)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a more intuitive, hands-on approach, you can click and drag the interactive handles directly on the design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/knowledge-base\/how-to-transform-designs-move-resize-rotate-skew\/\">Move<\/a> the Entire Array<\/strong>: Click and drag the handle on your <strong>original object<\/strong> to reposition the whole grid.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Adjust Spacing<\/strong>: Drag any of the handles on the top row or first column to change the <strong>horizontal<\/strong> or <strong>vertical<\/strong> spacing respectively.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Adjust Both Spacings at Once<\/strong>: Drag any handle that is <strong>not<\/strong> in the first row or column to adjust both horizontal and vertical spacing simultaneously.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\ud83d\udca1 Useful Tip:<\/strong> For perfectly uniform spacing, hold down the <strong>Alt key<\/strong> while dragging a handle. This will lock the horizontal and vertical spacing to be equal.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u2728 Pro Tip:<\/strong> To dynamically add or remove copies while maintaining the current spacing, hold down the <strong>Shift key<\/strong> and drag away from or towards the array. This is a quick way to fill an area visually.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Applying Transformations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can go beyond a simple grid by rotating and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/knowledge-base\/how-to-use-numeric-transformations-and-the-tool-options-bar\/\">mirroring<\/a> the objects within the array.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/knowledge-base\/how-to-transform-designs-move-resize-rotate-skew\/\">Rotate<\/a> the Entire Array<\/strong>: Use the dedicated <strong>rotation handle<\/strong> that extends from the array to rotate the entire grid as one unit.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rotate or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/knowledge-base\/how-to-move-scale-and-duplicate-objects\/\">Mirror<\/a> Individual Copies<\/strong>: Hover your mouse over any handle in the array. You will see a <strong>rotate icon<\/strong> and a <strong>mirror icon<\/strong>. Clicking these will apply the transformation to every other row and column, creating interesting alternating patterns.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Using Mirroring Presets<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For common symmetrical patterns, the <strong>Mirroring Presets<\/strong> in the tool options bar are incredibly efficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Mirror Horizontal<\/strong>: Mirrors each object horizontally across a row.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mirror Vertical<\/strong>: Mirrors each object vertically down a column.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mirror 4 corners<\/strong>: Creates a 2&#215;2 block of your object, mirrored both horizontally and vertically, like the four corners of a rectangle. You can then repeat this block to create a larger pattern.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/knowledge-base\/how-to-use-align-auto-size-and-distribute-tools\/\">Align<\/a> to work area<\/strong>: If you have a hoop or work area defined, this option appears. It functions like the &#8220;4 corners&#8221; preset but automatically centers the four mirrored objects within your defined work area.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The &#8220;Clone Objects&#8221; Feature<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is one of the most powerful options for creating complex, editable designs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before finalizing your array, you can check the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/knowledge-base\/how-to-create-and-manage-clone-objects\/\">Clone objects<\/a><\/strong> option in the tool options bar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>What it does<\/strong>: When enabled, all copies in the array are created as &#8220;clones&#8221; of the original.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Why it&#8217;s useful<\/strong>: This means if you edit the nodes or shape of <strong>any single object<\/strong> in the array, <strong>all other objects will automatically update<\/strong> with the same change. This allows you to refine your base design without having to start the array process over.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\ud83d\udca1 Useful Tip:<\/strong> Always enable <strong>Clone objects<\/strong> if you think you might want to tweak the design later. It provides maximum flexibility and saves a tremendous amount of time.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Finalizing Your Array<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once you are satisfied with your pattern&#8217;s layout and transformations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>To create the design<\/strong>: Click the <strong>Apply<\/strong> button in the tool options bar. The array will be converted into individual objects.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>To start over with a new shape<\/strong>: Click the <strong>Select new<\/strong> button to clear the current array and choose a different base object.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Rectangular Array tool is a powerful feature in DRAWings PRO XII that allows you to quickly duplicate any selected object into a precise, grid-based pattern. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2681,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":""},"categories-kb":[333],"class_list":["post-2680","knowledge-base","type-knowledge-base","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","categories-kb-how-to-training"],"acf":[],"taxonomy_info":{"categories-kb":[{"value":333,"label":"How to Training"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/how-to-use-the-rectangular-array-1024x576.jpg",1024,576,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"DRAWings Embroidery Software","author_link":"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/author\/drawings\/"},"comment_info":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/knowledge-base\/2680","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/knowledge-base"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/knowledge-base"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2681"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2680"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"categories-kb","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.drawstitch.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories-kb?post=2680"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}