How precisely repeat shapes?

Question

Hi I want to find easiest way how to model a circle with circular holes:

enter image description here

The holes should be precisely positioned (e.g. every 15°).

on what object ? And how would you create the first object? Assuming I want a hole every 15°. — Jaroslav Kotowski, May 06 '15 at 06:58

score 6 · Accepted Answer · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:57

6

Model the circle
Add cylinder (⇧ ShiftA), then enter edit mode (↹ Tab) and select everything (A)
Scale the cylinder (S) so it has the same radius as desired for the holes
Move it over on the X or Y axis so it intersects the circle (GX)
Exit edit mode (↹ Tab)
Add an empty (⇧ ShiftA) and rotate it 15° on the Z (RZ15)
Add an array modifier to the cylinder
Disable relative offset and enable object offset
Specify the empty as the offset object in the array modifier
_{Note: You can press E while hovering over the object selection box to pick an object by clicking in the 3D view}
Increase the count until there are cylinders all around the circle
Add a boolean modifier to the circle
Specify the cylinder object as the boolean target
Set the boolean operation to difference
Apply the boolean modifier
Delete now unneeded cylinder object and empty

enter image description here

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:57

Community

answered May 06 '15 at 08:44

gandalf3

2

@JaroslavKotowski Applying the boolean modifier is optional, and you don't have to delete the repeated circle, you can hide it until you are ready to finalize. This lets you see the holes without committing so early. – zeffii May 06 '15 at 08:56
2

This looks very much like one of my answers, the number list for the steps, and a gif at the bottom. I guess if gandalf does it, I must be doing something right. :) – David May 06 '15 at 13:14
@David XD I've done it with the gif on top before, but I think this is the first time I've put the gif below.. – gandalf3 May 06 '15 at 18:42

1 Answers1