Cloning
Updated: 16 Apr 2025
Cloning
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.
Colour Ramp Effector
Modifies a cloner system with colours from an input Colour Ramp.
Image Effector
Modifies a cloner system using an input image or video.
Kill Box Effector
Removes Clones from a cloner system within a specified area.
Plain Effector
Modifies a cloner system with simple transforms.
Quantise Effector
Modifies a cloner system by quantising all the clone positions.
Randomise Effector
Modifies a cloner system with randomised transformations.
Rigid Body Effector
Applies a Rigid Body simulation to A cloner system.
Ripple Effector
Modifies a cloner system with a ripple effect.
Sine Effector
Modifiers a cloner system with a sine wave oscillations.
Sound Effector
Modifies a cloner system using an audio input.
Spring Effector
Modifiers a cloner system by adding a springiness to Clone transformations.
Target Effector
Rotates clones to target a point in space.
Turbulence Effector
Modifies a cloner system with turbulent motion.
Nodes
Array Cloner
Generates Clones from an input Array node.
Cloner (Legacy)
Generates Clones in a regular pattern.
Cloner Cache
Caches a clone system for faster and repeatable results.
Grid Cloner
Generate Clones in a grid pattern.
Image Cloner
Generates Clones from an input image.
Iterative Cloner
Generates clones with an iterative transform change
Linear Cloner
Generate Clones in Line.
Mesh Cloner
Generates Clones from an input geometry
Paint Clones
Gives the user the ability to paint cloned objects onto existing geometry in the viewport.
Particle Cloner
Generates Clones from an input Particle system
Procedural Cloner
Generates Clones from an input Procedural system.
Radial Cloner
Generates clones in a radial pattern.
Random Cloner
Generates Clones with random transformations.
Spline Cloner
Generates a clones which follow the curve of a spline.
Volume Cloner
Generates Clones which fill the volume of input geometry.
