Creating a Replicator Layer
- Click Add Layer in the Layers Panel.
- Select Replicator Layer.
- A new replicator layer will be added.
Important: Replicator layers work by duplicating their sublayers. You must add one or more layers inside the replicator layer to see any duplicated instances!
Replicator Properties
These properties are found in the Replicator tab of the Inspector Panel when a replicator layer is selected.Instance Count
Controls how many total copies are rendered, including the original sublayers.- Find Instance Count in the Replicator tab.
- Enter a value (e.g., 5 will create the original + 4 copies).
Instance Translation (X, Y, Z)
The offset applied to each successive instance.- X/Y: Moves each copy horizontally or vertically relative to the previous one.
- Z: Moves copies forward or backward in 3D space.
Instance Rotation (Z, X, Y)
The rotation applied to each successive instance.- Z Rotation: Useful for creating circular patterns or fans.
- X/Y Rotation: Useful for 3D spiraling effects.
Instance Scale
The scale factor applied to each successive instance. Values less than 1.0 make each copy smaller, while values greater than 1.0 make them larger.Instance Delay
The time delay (in seconds) applied to animations of sublayers for each instance. This creates “follow-the-leader” or wave-like animation effects.Common Properties
Replicator layers support all standard layer properties in the Geometry and Compositing tabs, affecting the container as a whole.Geometry
- Position (X, Y): Location of the entire replicator group.
- Bounds (W, H): The size of the replicator container.
- Anchor Point: The point around which the translation/rotation offsets are calculated.
Compositing
- Opacity: Fade the entire group of instances.
- Hidden: Hide all instances at once.
- Preserves Depth: (Advanced) Enabling this allows sublayers to maintain their 3D positions relative to each other.
Tips & Tricks
Creating a Grid
You can nest replicators! Put a “horizontal” replicator inside a “vertical” replicator to create a grid of elements.Circular Arrays
- Set the Instance Count to the number of items you want in the circle.
- Set the Instance Rotation (Z) to
360 / count. - Adjust the sublayer’s position relative to the replicator’s center to set the radius.
Troubleshooting
”I only see one layer”
Check:- Did you add sublayers inside the replicator layer?
- Is the Instance Count set to more than 1?
- Is the Instance Translation or Instance Rotation set to something other than 0? If they are 0, all copies are stacked exactly on top of each other.
”Animations aren’t offset”
Check:- Did you set an Instance Delay?
- Are the animations applied to the sublayers inside the replicator, rather than the replicator itself?
Next Steps
Layer Hierarchy
Learn how to organize sublayers
Creating Animations
Animate sublayers for complex effects
Emitter Layers
Create particle-based duplications
Transform Layers (Gyro)
Combine replicators with gyro effects