5

Using Replicators in 3D Space
Two replicator pattern styles in the Shapes pop-up menu have 3D properties: Box and
Sphere. The Box and Sphere shape options are available only when the 3D checkbox is
selected in the Replicator Inspector. 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 to the replicator.
Box replicator with 13 columns, 12 rows,
and 3 ranks
Sphere replicator with 14 columns, 14 rows,
and 5 ranks
Line and Wave replicator shapes have quasi-3D properties: Their start and end points can
be moved into Z space. In the following image, the Z Start Point (yellow end of the pattern)
is set to 20 and the Z End Point is –18 (red end of the pattern).
Although the Rectangle, Circle, Line, Wave, Image, and Geometry replicators have no
inherent 3D parameters, they can be moved and rotated in 3D space. Pattern elements
can also be pulled out of their plane when behaviors are applied. The replicator must be
a member of a 3D group to be pulled out of the X and Y planes by a behavior.
784 Chapter 15 Using the Replicator