Skip to content

Move / Array Transform

In one sentence: Move selected geometry to a new position, or create a rectangular grid of copies at specified row and column spacing.

Overview

Workbench: Sketcher · Menu: Sketch → Sketcher tools → Move / Array Transform
Toolbar: Sketcher Tools · Shortcut: W

The Translate tool (Sketcher_Translate) moves geometry or creates a linear array. When a single copy is created (count = 1 × 1) it is a pure move; when more rows or columns are specified it produces a rectangular grid of copies.

Legacy tool

FreeCAD also has an older Sketcher_RectangularArray command. The newer Sketcher_Translate ("Move / Array Transform") is the recommended replacement for FreeCAD 1.0+ and supports both move and array in one tool.

Intuition

Think of a rubber stamp: you press it once to get the original mark, then slide the stamp and press again for a copy. Move / Array Transform lets you slide once (move) or lay out a grid of stamps in rows and columns (array). The geometry is duplicated, not linked — each copy is independent.

When to use it

  • You drew geometry in the wrong position and need to move it to its correct location.
  • You need a linear row of identical features (bolt hole pattern, fin array, teeth on a rack).
  • You need a rectangular grid pattern (PCB mounting holes, bolt circle grid).

When NOT to use it

  • You need a polar (circular) array — use Rotate / Polar Transform.
  • You need copies linked by constraints — use Clone; clones share constraints with the original.
  • You need a mirror — use Mirror.

Step-by-step walkthrough

  1. Select the geometry to move or copy (Ctrl-click multiple elements, or use a box selection).

  2. Press W or activate Move / Array Transform.

  3. The task panel shows:

    • Number of copies (i, j): rows and columns. Set to 1,1 for a pure move.
    • Translation vector: the X and Y offset for each step.

  4. Click a base point in the viewport (the reference for the translation).

  5. Click the destination to set the translation vector, or type the X and Y offsets numerically in the task panel.

  6. Set the number of rows (i) and columns (j): use 1 for each for a simple move; use higher values for an array.

  7. Click OK. The geometry (and copies if count > 1) appear at the new position(s).

Tip

For a row array, set columns j=1 and increase rows i. For a column array, do the reverse. For a 2-D grid, set both i and j greater than 1.

Parameters

Parameter Type Default Description
Copies (i) Integer ≥ 1 1 Number of copies in the primary direction. 1 = move only (no extra copies).
Copies (j) Integer ≥ 1 1 Number of copies in the secondary direction.
Translation vector 2-D vector (X, Y) Interactive Offset for each copy step in the primary direction.
Secondary vector 2-D vector (X, Y) Interactive Offset in the secondary direction (for 2-D arrays).
Clone Toggle Off If on, copies are Clones (constraints linked to original). If off, copies are independent.

Common mistakes and pitfalls

Geometry moves but constraints are not updated

Cause: Move / Array Transform repositions geometry but does not add distance constraints to the new positions. The moved elements may be under-constrained at the new location.
Fix: After moving, add Lock Position or Dimension constraints to fix the new positions.

Array copies overlap the original

Cause: The translation vector is (0, 0) or too small.
Fix: Set a translation vector that equals the feature spacing.

Python API

import FreeCAD as App
import Sketcher

doc = App.activeDocument()
sketch = doc.getObject("Sketch")

# Move/array is invoked via GUI; the underlying method for rectangular array:
# sketch.addRectangularArray(geoIds, translation_vector, constrain, columns, rows, clone, step)
# TODO: verify signature against SketchObject source.
print("Use the Move/Array Transform tool interactively.")

See also