Array a Group of objects?

Question

Is it possible to array a group of objects?

For example, if I have three objects in a group, (I want to keep them as separate objects) is it possible to easily duplicate them as if I pressed AltD for every single one?

Answer 1

This answer was inspired by this answer here

here is a solution that actually allows use to use the array modifier to duplicate grouped objects. It does, however, require one extra mesh.

We begin with our grouped object:

Then add a plane. Go into the object properties for that plane, and enter the instancing tab (called duplication in 2.7). Select faces.

Finally, select your group object then your plane, and hit Ctrl-P to parent them, selecting Object.

Now, finally, if you add an array modifier to your plane, the group object will be duplicated:

Demo file to see final result:

Answer 2

1. Select all the objects you want to multiply.
2. Make linked duplicates with Alt-D and place them at the proper distance.
3. Repeat your last step with Shift-R as often as you like.

Another way for more flexible needs:

1. Select your objects.
2. Give them a keyframe with I > location.
3. If you want a row of ten objects, go nine frames forward and move your selection to the end of your substitute array. Set another keyframe
4. Enable Dupliframes for each of your objects in the Object Properties, Duplication panel. Adjust start and end accordingly or you'll get a hundred copies.
5. Use the Graph Editor to set the interpolation to linear with T,2 if you need even distribution of your objects.
6. Make the Duplis real with CtrlShift + A

This process makes it possible to move, scale and rotate your objects freely.

Answer 3

One way to do that is to execute Shift-A / Add > Group Instance > [group name] to instance the group as a single object. Though it's basically an Empty, so we can't put an Array modifier on it, we can still Alt-D on the instance to create linked-duplicates.

Edit: For a more automated tool, we do need some basic scripting. I've written a short operator to do just that. Here's the key part:

for count in count_product:
    loc = center + Vector([count[0] * self.offset[0],
                           count[1] * self.offset[1],
                           count[2] * self.offset[2]])

    dup_obj = bpy.data.objects.new(group.name + '_array.000', None)
    dup_obj.location = loc
    dup_obj.dupli_type = 'GROUP'
    dup_obj.dupli_group = group
    context.scene.objects.link(dup_obj)

It just creates an array of group instances along three axis: