8

444 Chapter 6: Transforms: Moving, Rotating, and Scaling Objects
Type of Object group
DeterminesthetypeofcopiesmadebytheSpacing
tool. The default is Copy. You can copy,
instance
(page 3–1051)
,or reference (page 3–1096) objects.
Co py—Distributes copies of the selected object to
the specified position.
Instance—Distributes instances of the selected
object to the specified position.
Reference—Distributes references of the selected
object to the specified position.
Tip: You can use compound shapes containing
multiplesplinesasthesplinepathfordistributing
objects. Before creating shapes, turn off Start New
Shape under Shapes on the Create panel. Then
create your shapes. 3ds Max adds each spline to
thecurrentshapeuntilyouclicktheStartNew
Shape button so that it’s checked. When you select
the compound shape so that the Spacing tool can
use it as a p ath, objects are distributed along al l of
the splines of the compound shape. For example,
you mi g ht find this technique useful in spacing
light standards along a path defined by separated
splines.
Clone and Al ign Tool
Extras toolbar > Clo n e and Align Tool (on Array flyout)
Tools menu > Clone and Align
The Clone And Align tool lets you distribute source
objects based on the current selection to a second
selection of destination objects. For example, you
can populate several rooms simultaneously with
thesamefurniturearrangement.Similarly,ifyou
import a CAD file that contains 2D symbols that
represent chairs in a conference room, you can use
CloneAndAligntoreplacethesymbolswith3D
chair objects
en masse .
The distr ibuted objects can b e copies,
instances
(page 3–1051)
,or references (page 3–1096) of the
current selected object. You determine the number
of clones or clone sets by specifying any number of
destinationobjects.Youcanalsospecifyposition
and orientation alignment of the clones on one,
two, or three axes, with optional offsets.
You can use any number of source objects
and destination objects. With multiple source
objects, Clone And Align maintains the positional
relationships among the members of each cloned
group, ali gning the selection center w ith the
destination’s pivot.
Procedure
To use the Clone And Align tool:
1.
Create or lo ad an object or objects to be cloned,
aswellasoneormoredestinationobjects.
2. Select the object or objects to be cloned.
3. Open the Clone And Align dialog.
Note: Theorderofsteps2and3canbereversed.
4. Do either of the following:
• Click Pick once and then click each
destination object in turn. Next, click Pick
again to turn it off.
• Click Pick List and then use the Pick
Destination O bjects dialog to pick all
destination objects simultaneously.
5. On the Clone Parameters rollout, choose the
type of clone, and, if appropriate, how to copy
the controller. For details, see
Clone Opt ions
Dialog (page 1–461)
.
6. UsetheCloneParametersrolloutsettingsto
specify position, orientation, and scale options.
7. At any time, when Pick is off, you can change
thesourceselectioninaviewport.Thiscauses
the dialog to lose focus; click it again to regain
focus and refresh the viewport preview of the
clone operation.