Cloner (Legacy)
Updated: 31 Jan 2025
Generates Clones in a regular pattern.
Cloner (Legacy)
Method #
This node clones 3D objects in a regular pattern in one of several ways depending on the mode set.
In Iterative Cloning mode, the Transform parameters define the transform that is applied as a delta between the location of the last clone and the next. In Radial and Grid mode the Transform parameters transform the location of the ring or grid.
Nodes that are to be cloned should be connected to the output of this node. Any geometry node including 3D Objects, Lights, and Other Cloners. Clone Effectors may be connected, these nodes arent cloned but will act offset and transform all the clones within their area of effect.
Parameters
These properties control the 3D transforms of the node. Transforms will generally be inherited by child nodes, although they can be ignored through the Inherit Transform Channels attributes.
Parameter Details Position X Changes the x position of all clones from the previous clone.
Position Y Changes the y position of all clones from the previous clone.
Position Z Changes the z position of all clones from the previous clone.
Rotation Heading Changes the x rotation of all clones from the previous clone.
Rotation Pitch Changes the y rotation of all clones from the previous clone.
Rotation Bank Changes the rotation of all clones from the previous clone.
Scale X Changes the x scale of all clones from the previous clone.
Scale Y Changes the y scale of all clones from the previous clone.
Scale Z Changes the z scale of all clones from the previous clone.
Control the inheritance of the transforms from the parent.
Parameter Details Position Toggle inheritance of the Position from the parent.
Rotation Toggle inheritance of the Rotation from the parent.
Scale Toggle inheritance of the Scale from the parent.
World Position Only Inherit the world position from the parent only, rotation and scale will be ignored. Overrides above properties.
Inherit Time Toggle inheritance of time from the parent.
These properties control the core behaviours of the node.
Parameter Details Mode Change how the clones are arranged after being spawned.
- Iterative Cloning : The Cloner node’s transform is applied sequentially, so each clone is translated, scaled and rotated from the previous using the Transform values.
- 3D Grid : The clones are generated in a 3D Grid, where clones are generated at each grid intersection.
- Radial : The clones are generated in a radial pattern around the nodes current position.
Node Spawn Mode Change the order in which the cloned objects are assigned to clone instances.
- All : All of the connected objects are generate at every clone position.
- Iterate : The objects are generated sequentially per clone position, based on their heriarchy. For example, the first clone renders the first object, the second clone renders the second object and so on.
- Random : The objects are randomly selected to generate at clone positions.
Num Clones Number of copies of the input object created by the node.
Clone Scale Scale the size of all the clones uniformally.
First Clone Chooses which clone is the first clone generated.
Rotation Affects Position The rotation of the child object affects the position of the clones.
Scale Affects Position The scale of the child object affects the position of the clones.
Rotation Affects Clone Rotation The rotation of the clones increases with each clone added.
Scale Affects Clone Scale The scale of the new clone increases with each clone added.
Ease Clones In/Out Enable easing so new clones don’t immediately appear.
Only functions if 3D Grid is selected in the Mode attribute.
Parameter Details Grid Count X Number of sections in the grid along the X axis.
Grid Count Y Number of sections in the grid along the Y axis.
Grid Count Z Number of sections in the grid along the Z axis.
Grid Size X The size of the grid in the X axis. The clones are distributed evenly within this size limit.
Grid Size Y The size of the grid in the Y axis. The clones are distributed evenly within this size limit.
Grid Size Z The size of the grid in the Z axis. The clones are distributed evenly within this size limit.
Grid Stagger X Offset alternating clones along the X axis.
Grid Stagger Y Offset alternating clones along the Y axis.
Grid Stagger Z Offset alternating clones along the Z axis.
Grid Fill How much of the grid is filled in, in its centre.
Grid Type Which type of grid is generated.
- Cubic : The clones are arranged in a regular grid inside a cube.
- Spherical : The clones are arranged in a regular grid inside a sphere.
- Cylindrical : The clones are arranged in a regular grid inside a cylinder.
Grid Size Mode Changes how the Grid Size X/Y/Z affect the clones.
- Total Size : Controls the whole size of the grid.
- Size Per Clone : Controls the distance between clones on the grid.
Only functions if Radial is selected in the Mode attribute.
Parameter Details Radius The radius of the ring shape.
Radial Start Angle The angular location of the first clone around the ring.
Radial End Angle The angular location of the last clone around the ring.
Radial Plane The planar axis in which the ring is positioned.
These properties apply iterative offsets to the UV Offset, UV Scale, and Crop parameters of the materials for each rendered clone. Typically used with a tile sheet so that each clone picks up a different texture.
Parameter Details UV Scale X Delta Relative change to the uv scale along the x of the clone’s material, per clone.
UV Scale Y Delta Relative change to the uv scale along the y of the clone’s material, per clone.
UV Offset X Delta Relative change to the uv offset along the x axis of the clone’s material, per clone.
UV Offset Y Delta Relative change to the uv offset along the y axis of the clone’s material, per clone.
Crop Left Relative change to the crop on the left of the clone’s uvs, per clone.
Crop Right Delta Relative change to the crop on the right of the clone’s uvs, per clone.
Crop Top Delta Relative change to the crop on the top of the clone’s uvs, per clone.
Crop Bottom Delta Relative change to the crop on the bottom of the clone’s uvs, per clone.
Inputs
These properties control the 3D transforms of the node. Transforms will generally be inherited by child nodes, although they can be ignored through the Inherit Transform Channels attributes.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Position X | Changes the x position of all clones from the previous clone. |
| Position Y | Changes the y position of all clones from the previous clone. |
| Position Z | Changes the z position of all clones from the previous clone. |
| Rotation Heading | Changes the x rotation of all clones from the previous clone. |
| Rotation Pitch | Changes the y rotation of all clones from the previous clone. |
| Rotation Bank | Changes the rotation of all clones from the previous clone. |
| Scale X | Changes the x scale of all clones from the previous clone. |
| Scale Y | Changes the y scale of all clones from the previous clone. |
| Scale Z | Changes the z scale of all clones from the previous clone. |
Control the inheritance of the transforms from the parent.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Position | Toggle inheritance of the Position from the parent. |
| Rotation | Toggle inheritance of the Rotation from the parent. |
| Scale | Toggle inheritance of the Scale from the parent. |
| World Position Only | Inherit the world position from the parent only, rotation and scale will be ignored. Overrides above properties. |
| Inherit Time | Toggle inheritance of time from the parent. |
These properties control the core behaviours of the node.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode | Change how the clones are arranged after being spawned.
|
| Node Spawn Mode | Change the order in which the cloned objects are assigned to clone instances.
|
| Num Clones | Number of copies of the input object created by the node. |
| Clone Scale | Scale the size of all the clones uniformally. |
| First Clone | Chooses which clone is the first clone generated. |
| Rotation Affects Position | The rotation of the child object affects the position of the clones. |
| Scale Affects Position | The scale of the child object affects the position of the clones. |
| Rotation Affects Clone Rotation | The rotation of the clones increases with each clone added. |
| Scale Affects Clone Scale | The scale of the new clone increases with each clone added. |
| Ease Clones In/Out | Enable easing so new clones don’t immediately appear. |
Only functions if 3D Grid is selected in the Mode attribute.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Grid Count X | Number of sections in the grid along the X axis. |
| Grid Count Y | Number of sections in the grid along the Y axis. |
| Grid Count Z | Number of sections in the grid along the Z axis. |
| Grid Size X | The size of the grid in the X axis. The clones are distributed evenly within this size limit. |
| Grid Size Y | The size of the grid in the Y axis. The clones are distributed evenly within this size limit. |
| Grid Size Z | The size of the grid in the Z axis. The clones are distributed evenly within this size limit. |
| Grid Stagger X | Offset alternating clones along the X axis. |
| Grid Stagger Y | Offset alternating clones along the Y axis. |
| Grid Stagger Z | Offset alternating clones along the Z axis. |
| Grid Fill | How much of the grid is filled in, in its centre. |
| Grid Type | Which type of grid is generated.
|
| Grid Size Mode | Changes how the Grid Size X/Y/Z affect the clones.
|
Only functions if Radial is selected in the Mode attribute.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Radius | The radius of the ring shape. |
| Radial Start Angle | The angular location of the first clone around the ring. |
| Radial End Angle | The angular location of the last clone around the ring. |
| Radial Plane | The planar axis in which the ring is positioned. |
These properties apply iterative offsets to the UV Offset, UV Scale, and Crop parameters of the materials for each rendered clone. Typically used with a tile sheet so that each clone picks up a different texture.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| UV Scale X Delta | Relative change to the uv scale along the x of the clone’s material, per clone. |
| UV Scale Y Delta | Relative change to the uv scale along the y of the clone’s material, per clone. |
| UV Offset X Delta | Relative change to the uv offset along the x axis of the clone’s material, per clone. |
| UV Offset Y Delta | Relative change to the uv offset along the y axis of the clone’s material, per clone. |
| Crop Left | Relative change to the crop on the left of the clone’s uvs, per clone. |
| Crop Right Delta | Relative change to the crop on the right of the clone’s uvs, per clone. |
| Crop Top Delta | Relative change to the crop on the top of the clone’s uvs, per clone. |
| Crop Bottom Delta | Relative change to the crop on the bottom of the clone’s uvs, per clone. |
| Name | Description | Typical Input |
|---|---|---|
| Effectors | Control how the clones behave once spawned. See Effectors. | Plain Effector |
| Transform Modifiers | Apply the transforms of another node to this node. | Null |
| Target Node | Modifiy the rotations of the node to always direct the z axis towards the input. | Null |
| Local Transform Override | Apply the transforms of another node to this node, relative to its parent. | Null |
