Apple Motion 4 - Manual (Page 672)

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, such as Vortex, to another object in your project (an object that is not
part of the replicator pattern), and have the pattern elements circumnavigate that object.
Replicator Source Objects
Almost any layer in Motion can be replicated (used as a cell source), including shapes,
text, images, image sequences, and clips.
Note: Although you can replicate a layer used as the source for a particle emitter, you
cannot replicate a particle emitter itself. You also cannot replicate a replicator.
Transformations that you apply to the source are respected in the replicator cells. For
example, if you use a sheared and rotated rectangle shape as the replicator source layer,
the replicated elements in the Canvas appear sheared and rotated. If the source layer 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 import it and use the movie as a source.
Creating Graphics and Animated Clips for a 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 layers for a particle system also
apply to creating sources for the replicator. For more information, see
Creating Graphics
and Animations for Particle Systems .
Getting Started with the Replicator
Although you can use the numerous replicator controls to create incredibly complex,
intricate animated patterns, replicating a layer in your project can be fast and easy. The
next two sections describe how to use pre-made replicators from the Library and how
to create a simple replicated pattern of your own.
672 Chapter 12 Using the Replicator