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Element 3D v1.6 Help Home

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Element 3D v1.6 Element 3D v1.5

Installation and Compatibility

Installing Element 3D Specifications & Requirements Installing VCP model packs Updating Element from a previous version

Importing 3D Objects into Element

Importing 3D Objects Supported 3D Formats Exporting 3D Objects for Element 3D Exporting 3D Objects from C4D Object Transform and Anchor Point Settings Importing Pre-Fractured Geometry 3D Object Troubleshooting Baked Animation Sequences Exporting Animated 3D Sequences

Texturing & Materials

Building Materials in Element 3D Material Texture Slots Environment Textures (reflection map) Texture Channel Pop-up Material Presets Supported Image Formats Surface & UV Mapping Animated Video Textures Normal Bump Map Creation Minimizing Texture Artifacts Pro Shaders Advanced Material Options Opacity Maps Auto Map Size Limit

Animating 3D Objects

3D Object Groups Particle Replicator Particle Look Baked Animation Options Multi-Object Mode Adjusting the Anchor Point Group Utilities & Null Objects World Transform Animation Engine

Extruding 3D Text & Mask Shapes

Extruding Text Tessellation Options Bevel Options Use Layer as UV Bevel Presets

User Interface (Scene Setup)

Panel Descriptions, Preview, Browser, etc. Adjusting UI Panels Saving Presets Preferences Hotkeys Selecting Atom particle vs Replicator Array Changing the Environment map

Compositing Element 3D

Using Depth Compositing World Position Matte Using a Mask with an Element Layer Custom Layer Maps Using Matte Shadow plane Element 3D with 3D Camera Trackers Element 3D & Lens Flare Obscuration Custom Environment maps

Camera & Lighting

Camera Setup Lighting Controls

Render Settings

Environment Lighting Ambient Occlusion (SSAO) Fog Motion Blur Depth of Field Glow Camera Cutoff Tips for Large Resolution Comps Render Order & Opacity Maps Optimizing Render Settings & Performance

Sharing & Transferring Projects

Transferring Element 3D Projects and Assets Relinking missing files

Troubleshooting

Licensing Problems Model Browser Empty Plug-In Not Opening Render Problems Installer Errors Unable To Find Solution?

FAQ

Home > Animating 3D Objects > Particle Replicator

Particle Replicator

The Particle Replicator allows you to replicate particles into the shape of a pre-defined object structure. The entire replicator array can also be moved around using the position controls. There are also controls for the size of the array shape, but keep in mind these are separate from the actual Particle properties.

If multiple 3D objects are set to the same group inside the Scene Setup, these objects will be replicated randomly in your array.

3D Replicator
• Using position noise
• Use 3D object as replicator shape
• Use Layer alpha as replicator shape

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PARAMETERS
Below is a list of parameters and descriptions of their functionality.

Particle Count
How many objects will be in the Replicator array.

Replicator Shape
Defines the shape or structure that your particles will be occupying. There are several Replicator shape options, such as Point, 3D Grid, Plane, Sphere. There are also some options for more custom particle shapes, see Custom Replicator Shape below.

Custom Replicator Shapes

Using a 3D Object as a Replicator Shape
You can choose a 3D object from the scene interface to use as the array structure to fill in particles.

1. In the Scene Interface choose the object that you want to set as the shape.
2. Set as a replicator shape by clicking the icon that looks like a ring of spheres next to the group numbers.
3. You can also set the group number to define what group you want to have this particle shape.
4. When you hit ok, you can use the

Layer:

Allows you to use a layer shape to define the shape the Replicator the shape of a layer. Use the Custom Layer option under Shape Options to choose the layer to reference.

Layer Grid:

Uses a layer to define a shape, but spaces the objects into a grid with some options to fill the particles in on the X and Y. Use the Custom Layer option under Shape Options to choose the layer to reference.

Particle Order
Choose how your particles are laid out in a particular replicator shape

Random:

Randomly orders how the particle's positions are laid out

Forward:
Loops the particle order sequentially (as relating to the order from top to bottom in the scene interface)

Backward:

Loops the particle order sequentially in reverse (as relating to the order from bottom to top in the scene interface)

Mirror:

Loops the particle order forward then backward

Particle Repeat
How many times each particle appears in a sequence.

Particle Offset
Shifts the sequence forward or backward.

Particle Replicator Options

Position XY and Z:
Move the object in 3D space with these controls.

You can use the Create Null option under Group Utilities to make it easier to move objects in space.

Rotation:
Control rotation of the whole Replicator Shape.

Scatter:
This will randomly disperse the particles in all directions.

Scatter XYZ:
Randomly disperse the particle on a specific axis.

Position noise:
Creates some additional randomization with the Evolution, Amount, and Scale options.

Random seed:
Creates a new randomly generated scenario.

Using a 3D Object as a Replicator Shape You can choose a 3D object from the scene interface to use as the array structure to fill in particles.

Using a 3D Object as a Replicator Shape
You can choose a 3D object from the scene interface to use as the array structure to fill in particles.