Radial Array Feature (akin to AutoCAD)
I know there's a workaround whereby one can accomplish this, or nearly so, with the rotate/copy function; however, the implementation is somewhat inelegant, especially for new users who might not be aware of the 360/x syntax. It has been a number of years since I have used CAD, but I recall the Polar Array command being much more full-featured and am struck that AI still doesn't have a better way to do this. In point of fact, a liner array wouldn't be a bad addition, either, and would save the headache of trying to do it with patterns or aligns.
TJ
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It does not work exactly like Polar Array in AutoCAD, but recent Radial Repeat is very much similar to this function you wanted. the main difference you do not specify a circle before, but after you generate an array.
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There are other custom script solutions for that, which allow to position copies along custom paths. Some other methods include custom Scatter brushes, dashed lines, end even plugins, like Arranger by Omata.