Circle Array Modifier for face rotation

Question

I know how to add a circular array modifier, it is shown e.g. in a video like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whjFb0xFoLk

But what I want to do is to create such a circular array that is snapped to a face of an object - so that the whole array is rotated / aligned to the rotation of the face.

Any ideas?

Answer 1

3 Vertex Parenting

• Assume you have set up the empty and object with array modifier as explained in youtube video in question.

  In example I have a cone with array modifier controlled by an empty displayed as axis.

• For simplicity sake added a 3 vertex filled circle. It has one face. In edit mode select 3 vertices of the face to parent empty to.

• In object mode, select the empty, then the mesh and choose CtrlPT Parent Vertex (Triangle)

  The array empty will now be rotated when the face rotates.

• This may be difficult to set up depending on the alignment of the face. A similar method could be done via the copy rotation constraint on the empty, using the face object as a target and the vertices of the face in a vertex group as the subtarget.

In this setup only the global Y rotation of the empty is effected by the rotation of our target face