How to make a DOT pattern?

[Commander Data]

Hi Folks

This is both my intro post and a question for you graphic software gurus.

I'm an IT guy at a major software dev company *cough* and I know tons about servers, networking and OS stuff, but to save my life I can't seem to find a way to make a DOT pattern for a project.

I need DOTs that are exactly 5mm, and I need them to be 2mm apart from each other in rows, grid, offset, whatever.

My intention is to use this pattern in order to drill these hole and stuff a board with LEDs.

Now, I know you're probably asking yourselves "doesnt this guy know how to use a tape measurer and draw a line in order to space these holes?"

Yes, but I would really like to see the pattern at scale to work out the total dimensions for the area needed for 96 LEDs etc, and I think a pattern(s) would be beneficial.

Sooooo, is there an easy way to make 5mm DOTs with a 2mm spacing and print this out without an advanced education in graphic design?

I really appreciate all your answers, examples, patterns, assistance, gestures of good will, or anything this side of a flame!

[zuluclayman]

There is probably an easier way but this was done quickly using Publisher - set guides to columns and rows of 5mm with 2 mm spacing and draw a circle (dot) and place them in to grid, do a row then use align and distribute command to space them, group them and copy paste to fill grid.
This one is slightly out on rhs edge, comes of late saturday afternoon laziness - depends on level of accuracy you need.
There are probably ways of doing this more accurately on CAD style software for engineering applications that require absolute accuracy.

[Commander Data]

HOLY MACCARONI!

I have a 40" monitor, so I can't say if them dots are 5mm or not, but that's sooooo freakin close to what I want, I can't believe you just cranked it out like that.

This is exactly what I need, just with the dots v e r y close together, like 2mm apart and maybe offset.

dot dot dot dot dot dot dot dot dot dot dot dot dot dot dot
. dot dot dot dot dot dot dot dot dot dot dot dot dot dot dot
dot dot dot dot dot dot dot dot dot dot dot dot dot dot dot
. dot dot dot dot dot dot dot dot dot dot dot dot dot dot dot


I thank you very much for all your time and efforts.

Muchas Gracias!

[zuluclayman]

hmm - the pdf isn't as accurate as the original - it has 5mm dots and 2mm spacing tho not offset

[Commander Data]

I'll print it out after I sleep a while and see how it looks.

Cheers and THX