Create a custom replicator shape

Two settings in Shape pop-up menu (in the Replicator Inspector) let you set a custom layout pattern for elements in the replicator:

Geometry: Elements in the replicator pattern are arrayed along the outline of a custom geometry shape (a circle or Bezier shape, for example) that you designate.
Image: Elements in the replicator pattern are arrayed along the outline of, or as a fill within, an image or movie clip that you designate.

When you choose Geometry or Image from the Shape pop-up menu, a source well becomes available. When used as geometry sources, images (such as stills or clips) and geometry (shape) layers can be used to specify the shape of the replicator pattern. The following tasks describe how to use image and geometry layers as cell sources and shape sources.

Use a geometry object as the shape source of the replicator pattern

Import (or draw) the shape to use as the pattern shape in an existing replicator.
The shape is added as a layer to your project.
In the Layers list, select the replicator, then, in the Replicator Inspector, click the Shape pop-up menu and choose Geometry.
The Shape Source well appears in the Inspector and HUD.
From the Layers list, drag the shape to the Shape Source well.
When the pointer becomes a curved arrow, release the mouse button.
A thumbnail of the shape appears in the well and is used as the source for the shape of the replicator. To hide the original shape you created in step 1, deselect its checkbox in the Layers list.
Note: Image objects cannot be used as a shape source when the Shape pop-up menu is set to Geometry.

Use an image as the shape source of the replicator pattern

Import an image to use as the pattern shape in an existing replicator.
The image is added as a layer to your project.
In the Layers list, select the replicator, then, in the Replicator Inspector, click the Shape pop-up menu and choose Image.
The Image Source well appears in the Inspector and HUD.
From the Layers list, drag the image into the Image Source well, and when the pointer becomes a curved arrow, release the mouse button.
A thumbnail of the image appears in the well and is used as the source for the shape of the replicator pattern. To hide the original shape you created in step 1, deselect its checkbox in the Layers list.
To set the type of pattern, click the Arrangement pop-up menu, then choose an option:
- Outline: Pattern elements are placed along the rectangular outline of the image source.
- Tile Fill: Pattern elements are flanked in rows and columns inside the borders of the image source.
- Random: Pattern elements are distributed in random fashion inside the borders of the image source.