Apple Motion 2 - Manual (Page 627)

Chapter 9 Using the Replicator 627
In addition, you can add behaviors to the replicator or its cells to create even more
varied effects (simulation behaviors can be especially effective). Behaviors applied to a
replicator or a cell can be applied to each element of the pattern. This lets you achieve
almost limitless variation and complexity that would take hours to animate using
keyframes. You can also apply a behavior to another object in your project (an object
that is not part of the replicator pattern), such as Vortex, and have the pattern elements
circumnavigate that object.
Replicator Source Objects
Almost any object in Motion can be replicated (used as a cell source), including shapes,
text, images, image sequences, and clips.
Note: Although you can replicate an object used as the source object for a particle
emitter, you cannot replicate a particle emitter itself. You also cannot replicate a
replicator object.
Transformations that you apply to the source object are respected in the replicator
cells. For example, if you use a rectangle shape that is sheared and rotated as a
replicator source object, the replicated elements are sheared and rotated. If the
replicated object has applied filters, the effects of the filters are retained in the
elements of the replicator pattern.
Note: Keep in mind that replicating a movie, especially with applied filters, adversely
impacts your computer’s processing performance. For better performance, output your
sequence with the filter applied, then it import and use the movie as a source.
Using the Replicator
Although you can use the numerous replicator controls to create incredibly complex,
intricate animated patterns, replicating an object in your project can be fast and easy.
This section describes how to use pre-made replicators from the Library. The following
section explains how to create a simple replicated pattern of your own.
Creating Graphics and Animated Clips for the Replicator
Creating a replicator from scratch begins with designing the graphic you want to
replicate. You can use any image, shape, text, or movie supported by Motion as a
source for a replicator cell. The guidelines for creating source objects for a particle
system also apply to creating source objects for the replicator. For more information,
see “
Creating Graphics and Animations for Particle Systems ” on page 585.
01112.book Page 627 Sunday, March 13, 2005 10:36 PM