Microvellum Community

Feature Request: Easier Arrays, and/or smarter EQ Functions

This post was spurred on by me recently updating the die wall product (non-extruded kind), which has a lot of duplicate parts in arrays. EQ Functions have long caused me a lot of confusion, but recently I ran into something very surprising: Parts using an EQ function that're inside subassemblies don't rotate with the rest of the subassembly (2nd attached image). I just got off the phone with one of the customer support techs just confirmed for me this isn't a function, so, while I was on the topic, I figured I'd write up a wishlist for things I'd like EQ functions to do.

In order of usefulness, by my opinion:
  1. Parts duplicated with EQ functions should have their spacing also rotate with a subassembly. Die wall studs, or board & batten, like for the attached example die wall, won't rotate, and instead need to be individual parts which're individually placed.
  2. EQ functions don't work for subassemblies? Understandable, usually you want individual control over each, but often they're identical (as evidenced by the "save to product" option while editing them).
  3. There's no EQ function which allows placing a part at the start & stopping points. That means at minimum, if I wanted to do a slatwall, I'd need three parts; one left, one right, and one middle slat which is actually duplicated.
    1. Further, if I'm adjusting for field measurements and I want one set of slats spaced one way, closely followed by a second set slightly differently, I'd need a minimum of 5 parts; 2 more to separate the two arrays. 
    2. Separate toggles for including a part at the start & end point would be very helpful.
  4. No EQ functions work for the Y origin currently (that I'm aware of anyway). Every EQ function should work in any origin, it's strange they don't? But they seem to be highly specialized currently so maybe I should've known better🤷‍♂️
  5. No EQ functions allow you to set both the quantity and spacing. This is something which occurs quite often in custom millwork, and really could use automating.
  6. An offset for the entire array, especially if support for rotated subassemblies isn't coming any time soon. Currently, if you don't want your parts spaced starting from the left side of your product, good luck.
  7. EQ functions currently pull from the part's thickness by default, some with no option to change this. Some use something else, which again, can't be changed. It would be extremely helpful to be able to select width, height, or thickness, or set a manual override.
  8. Updated help text for all the functions. Most barely get half a sentence, and the help page doesn't directly indicate any of the limitations on EQ functions currently. This makes it very frustrating trying to learn the how & why of what properties of a part are being used.
  9. You should be able to space parts on a curve, such as for legs on a table, or trim for a column.
I appreciate the time of anyone who read through this wall of text 😂

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