Beam Bench

Distributing objects evenly

Choose equal edge gaps or equal center spacing, and understand why they can give different results.

Video lesson · 1:55Captions are shown in the video

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Checked with Beam Bench 0.2.37

Written guide

Choose equal edge gaps or equal center spacing, and understand why they can give different results.

Lesson guide

1010503030 mm30 mm30 mm
Horizontal answer. Widths in millimeters above; edge gaps below. Illustration, not an app screenshot.
  1. Open distribute-start.lzrproj. Select all four rectangles with Cmd + A on Mac or Ctrl + A on Windows/Linux.
  2. Choose Arrange > Distribute > Distribute H-Spaced. H means horizontal.
  3. Check the three gaps: each is 30 mm. The outside rectangles remain fixed, and the shapes keep their sizes.
  4. Try Distribute H-Centered in the same menu. Its centers are equally spaced, but the edge gaps differ. Undo to return to the equal gaps.

Compare with distribute-complete.lzrproj. The Properties Distribute buttons use Centered; use the Arrange menu's Spaced option for equal edge clearances.

Independent practice

Open distribute-practice-start.lzrproj. These four rectangles run vertically. Select all four and choose Arrange > Distribute > Distribute V-Spaced.

  • Use at least three separate, unlocked objects. A group counts as one object.
  • Keep the outside rectangles fixed and preserve each rectangle's dimensions.
  • Aim for three 30 mm gaps. Save your own copy before comparing with distribute-practice-check.lzrproj.
  • Which option gives equal gaps between edges?
  • Which option gives equal center intervals?
  • Why do those options differ for these rectangles?

The practice rectangles are all 20 mm wide, with heights 10, 20, 30 and 10 mm.

Explained answer

Spaced: equal clearances
For the horizontal example, the overall span is 190 mm. The widths total 100 mm, leaving 90 mm for three gaps: 30 mm each.
Centered: equal center intervals
The horizontal center interval is about 56.67 mm. Because the widths differ, the edge gaps are about 46.67 mm, 26.67 mm and 16.67 mm.
Vertical practice: three 30 mm gaps
Its span is 160 mm and its heights total 70 mm. The remaining 90 mm again makes three equal gaps.
  • distribute-start.lzrproj

    Uneven horizontal demonstration starter.

  • distribute-complete.lzrproj

    Horizontal answer. Left edges X 80, 120, 160 and 240 mm.

  • distribute-practice-start.lzrproj

    Uneven vertical practice starter.

  • distribute-practice-check.lzrproj

    Vertical answer. Same sizes, with equal 30 mm edge gaps.

Matches the demonstrated Beam Bench 0.2.37 interface. Panel layout may differ in later versions.

English · Revised 2026-11-02