Box and Sphere replicators build a pattern of elements in 3D space. The 2D Rectangle and Circle replicator shapes have columns (in the Y plane) and rows (in the X plane), but Box and Sphere have an additional Ranks parameter, which adds depth (in Z space) to the replicator.

1. After adding a replicator to a project, select the 3D checkbox in the Replicator Inspector.

   For more information on adding a replicator to a project, see Add a preset replicator or create a custom replicator.

2. In the Replicator Inspector, click the Shape pop-up menu, then choose Box or Sphere.

   If your project is not yet 3D, the replicator pattern appears flat.

3. If your project does not contain a camera, click the New Camera button in the toolbar, then click Switch to 3D.

   A camera is added to the project, and your layers are converted to 3D layers.

4. In the 3D view tools (in the upper-right corner of the Canvas), drag in the Orbit tool (the center tool).

   

   As the camera rotates, you can see that the replicator cells are aligned in Z space

   Tip: Use Simulation behaviors to create animated replicators in 3D space that interact with other objects in the project. For example, use Orbit Around to make replicator elements circle around a target object. For more information, see Simulation behaviors overview.

When a replicator is a member of a 3D group, certain behaviors can be applied to pull replicator pattern elements out of their X and Y planes.

1. After adding a replicator to a project, select the 3D checkbox in the Replicator Inspector.

   This example uses a burst replicator shape. For more information on adding a replicator to a project, see Add a preset replicator or create a custom replicator.

2. If your project does not contain a camera, click the New Camera button in the toolbar, then click Switch to 3D.

   A camera is added to the project, and your layers are turned into 3D layers.

3. In the Layers list, select an object (a white circle shape in this example), and in the Properties Inspector, click the Position disclosure triangle, then drag in the Z value slider.

   In this example, the white circle’s Z Position is set to 225.

4. In the Layers list, select the replicator, click the Add behavior pop-up menu in the toolbar, then choose Simulations > Attracted To.

   No animation occurs until an object is assigned to the Attracted To behavior.

5. With the Attracted To behavior selected in the Layers list, drag the target object (in this example, the white circle) to the Object well in the Behaviors Inspector.

   With the default Attracted To settings, the entire replicator moves as one toward the target object.

6. In the Behaviors Inspector, select the Affect Subobjects checkbox.

7. To play the project, press the Space bar.

   

   As the project plays, each replicator element is affected individually, moving forward in Z space toward the attractor. Under the behavior’s influence, the replicator elements move past their attractor element, and return to their original position.