Cloning nodes create instances of 3D objects and meshes, with each cloner node defining a method for where and how the clones are spawned. Clones are rendered using hardware instancing on the GPU, making it extremely performance efficient, but it requires each mesh to be an identical copy of one another. To clone an object it must be a child to the output of a Cloner node.
Cloners can be modified by using Effector nodes, which modify the transformation or the colour tint of each clone. By building up multiple of these nodes together, complex animations can be created. Effectors are also time independent, so jumping forward and back in time wont require any simulation or calculations, with the exceptions of the rigid body effector (which runs a physics simulation) and the Spring effector (which uses changes over time to calculate a simple spring simulation).
Cloners are generally hooked into the Root node, although they can be applied to any node – they will still appear in the scene as long as there is a path to a Root node; they will inherit the transformation values of parent nodes.
Effectors
Effector nodes modify the transformation values of clones in cloner node systems.
Modifies a cloner system with colours from an input Colour Ramp.
Modifies a cloner system using an audio input.
Modifies a cloner system using an input image or video.
Removes Clones from a cloner system within a specified area.
Modifies a cloner system with simple transforms.
Modifies a cloner system by quantising all the clone positions.
Modifies a cloner system with randomised transformations.
Applies a Rigid Body simulation to A cloner system.
Modifies a cloner system with a ripple effect.
Modifiers a cloner system with a sine wave oscillations.
Modifiers a cloner system by adding a springiness to Clone transformations.
Rotates clones to target a point in space.
Modifies a cloner system with turbulent motion.
Nodes
Caches a clone system for faster and repeatable results.
Generates Clones from an input image.
Generates Clones from an input geometry
Generates Clones from an input Particle system
Generates Clones from the positions defined by a Point Cache node.
Generates Clones from an input Procedural system.
Generates a clones which follow the curve of a spline.
Generates Clones from an input Array node.
Generates Clones which fill the volume of input geometry.
Generates Clones in a regular pattern.
Generates Clones with random transformations.