Modify the basic appearance of a replicator

After adding a preset replicator or creating a custom replicator, you modify it further by replacing its source image, adjusting cell opacity, or changing the replicator pattern’s size or position in the Canvas.

Replace a preset replicator’s source image

After adding a preset replicator to your project, you can replace its source image to better suit your needs.

  1. In the File Browser or Library, select the file you want to use as the replacement graphic for the replicator preset, then add it to the project.

  2. In the Layers list, drag the object to the replicator cell you want to replace.

    Note: If the cell layer is not visible, click the disclosure triangle next to the replicator layer.

  3. When the pointer becomes a curved arrow, release the mouse button.

    The original source object is replaced with the new object.

  4. Optional: Hide the new source layer by deselecting its activation checkbox in the Layers list.

    The cells based on this layer remain in your replicator pattern, but the source layer itself is hidden in the Canvas.

Adjust replicator element opacity

You can adjust the opacity of individual elements in a replicator by modifying the cell parameters in the Replicator Cell Inspector or by modifying the source layer’s opacity in the Properties Inspector.

Do one of the following:

  • Select the cell in the Layers list, then adjust the Opacity tag in the gradient editor in the Replicator Cell Inspector (or change Color Mode to Colorize and adjust the Opacity parameter in the Color controls).

  • Select the original source layer—not the replicator cell—and change its opacity in the HUD or Properties Inspector.

Change the stacking order of elements

The elements in the pattern are stacked according to their order in the Layers list and Timeline. In a replicator with multiple cells, changing cell stacking order changes the appearance of the pattern in the Canvas.

  • In the Layers list, drag a cell to a new position above or below other cells in the replicator.

Adjust a replicator’s size or position using onscreen controls

  1. In the Layers list, select the replicator to adjust.

  2. In the toolbar, click the 2D transform tools pop-up menu, then choose the Adjust Item tool.

    Selecting the Adjust Item tool in the toolbar

    When the Adjust Item tool is selected, the replicator onscreen controls appear in the Canvas. The onscreen controls vary depending upon the shape of the replicator (chosen from the Shape pop-up menu in the Replicator Inspector).

  3. To resize the replicator, drag the replicator shape’s outline in the Canvas.

  4. To reposition the replicator, drag inside the shape (but not directly on the outline) in the Canvas.

    The size or position of the replicator shape is adjusted. For example, if the shape is a spiral or circle, dragging the shape outline changes the Radius parameter value. Dragging inside the shape (but not directly on the outline) repositions the replicator in the Canvas.

    Canvas showing onscreen controls for replicator

    If the replicator shape is a rectangle, dragging a corner or edge of its bounding box changes the Size parameter value. Depending on which handle you drag, you can constrain the transform to width, height, or depth (in a box-shaped replicator). Or you can drag a corner handle to scale the replicator in multiple dimensions simultaneously.

    Canvas showing replicators being modified using onscreen controls