To space slots you already have, redistribute those objects between the intended first and last locations. Do not create an array unless you actually need more slots. Before editing, record the slot count, the two endpoint positions and whether the requirement is equal center spacing or equal clear gaps.
A September 12 LightBurn forum question about spacing existing objects describes precisely this problem: the slots exist, but their spacing needs correcting. That differs from generating a repeated pattern from one original. The practical acceptance test is that the same slots remain, with the intended span preserved.
Work out the span before moving anything
Consider six identical 8 mm-wide slots whose first and last centers should be 250 mm apart. There are five intervals, so the intended center spacing is 50 mm. Each clear gap is then 42 mm. These are illustrative drawing dimensions, not recommended slot sizes or laser settings.
Write down which coordinate represents the center. A bounding-box corner value is not interchangeable with a center value. If you change the position reference during the edit, recheck both endpoints using the original reference before accepting the result.
For slots of different widths, equal center intervals do not create equal edge gaps. Decide which dimension matters to the mating assembly. The distinction is explained with a separate calculation in Array Spacing: Convert Center Pitch Into a Real Edge Gap.
A redistribution check for an X1S panel
| Check | Before editing | Accept the result when |
|---|---|---|
| Existing geometry | Six slots, excluding the panel outline | Exactly six slots remain |
| Endpoints | Record first and last center coordinates | Both still match the drawing requirement |
| Selected objects | Select only the intended slot objects | No border or label participates |
| Horizontal spacing | Determine centers or clear gaps | All five relevant intervals agree |
| Vertical position | Record the intended common centerline | Slots stay on that centerline |
Save a working copy, isolate the slots and use the appropriate distribution control in your installed software. Inspect the result immediately; undo if the selection contains an unexpected group or the outer positions move. Distribution can only act on the objects you actually select. A slot grouped with its label may have a larger bounding box than the slot itself.
If the panel originated in another person's project, import its artwork without carrying over their machine settings before preparing the output layers. That keeps a geometry correction from silently becoming a process-setting change.
Fit the corrected layout to the actual configuration
The TYVOK X1S 2026 product page lists an 800 × 800 mm starting configuration and an 800 × 2000 mm extended configuration, with LightBurn among the stated software workflows. Check the purchased configuration and supported setup. A large drawing area does not guarantee that the sheet is flat, correctly supported or clear of fixtures.
Preview the corrected panel and inspect the slot count once more. A small mating test can confirm the chosen slot fit before cutting the full panel; spacing correctness alone does not establish kerf or material suitability.
Buyer questions
Why did distribution move the wrong shapes?
Inspect the selection and grouping first. A border, label or grouped assembly can change the apparent bounds. Undo, isolate the intended slot geometry and compare the endpoint coordinates again.
Should I delete the slots and recreate them as an array?
Only if replacing them is acceptable. Existing slots may contain deliberate individual differences. Redistribution preserves those objects; recreation requires checking that every intended feature survived.