Array Modifier Distribution Method: Spline

The Spline Distribution method creates clones along a target spline in your scene.

The Spline Distribution method creates clones along a target spline in your scene and provides controls to project your array onto a reference surface in your scene. The following example uses the Spline Distribution method to create a chain. See Create a chain using the Array Modifier for a detailed workflow example.

Interface

Layout method
Lets you select the way clones are placed along the target spline.
Note: The parameters that appear below the Layout Method drop-down list update dynamically based on your selection.
Count
Distributes the number of clones specified in the Count X and Count Y parameters along the length of the spline. In the following example, Count X is increased incrementally until reaching a value of eight.
Relative Offset
Distributes a fixed number of clones along the length of a spline, starting at a knot point. In the following example, Count X is increased incrementally until reaching a value of eight.
Tip: When your spline has zero thickness, use the Spacing parameter to set the distance between clones.
Fill
Distributes clones along the spline path from start to end.
Knots
Distributes clones along a target spline, placing a clone on each knot. When specific knots are selected., clones are only placed on the selected knots.
Segments
Distributes clones along a target spline, placing a clone on each segment. When specific segments are selected, clones are only placed on the selected segments.
X,/Y/ Z
Click a button to orient the array along the selected axis in object space.
Pick Spline
Select a reference spline from your scene. Clones take the same shape as the reference spline.
Tip: After you've selected a target spline, you can select a different target spline by doing one of the following:
  • Right-click Pick Spline and select Clear Spline
  • Click Pick Spline and then select a different target spline
Strength
Sets the position of the clones relative to the first knot of the spline.
Retain Orientation
When enabled, the clones retain the original object's orientation.
Center
Repositions the array so it is centered around the original object's origin.
Flip
Reverses the position and orientation of the clones along the spline.
Count X/Count Y/Count Z
This parameter is only available when the Layout method is set to Count or Relative Offset.
Sets the number of clones placed along the local X/Y/Z axis.
Offset
Sets the distance to the next clone on the X/Y/Z axis in relative clone dimensions.
Spacing
Sets the distance between each clone on the X/Y/Z axis in display units.
Position transform method
Continue
Uses the outgoing vector at the beginning or end of the spline and continues to place clones along the same trajectory.
Loop
(Default) Once clones reach the end of the spline path, they are placed back at the beginning, creating a loop.
End
Clones are stacked on top of each other at the location of the first clone.
Remove
Clones disappear once they reach the end of the spline path.
Percent
This parameter is only available when the Total Dimension or Fill layout methods are selected.
Sets the position of the clones along the length of the spline.
Axial
This parameter is only available when the Total Dimension or Fill layout methods are selected.
Sets the placement of the clones around the axis of the spline.
Variation
This parameter is only available when the Total Dimension or Fill layout methods are selected.
Randomizes the position of the clones a percentage of the length of the spline.
Seed
Sets the random number seed for the variation value.
Pick Surface
Lets you pick a reference object from your scene to project your array onto.
Note: Projection is along the local -Z of the spline.
Remove Missed Projections
This parameter is only available when a reference object has been selected with the Pick Surface button.
Clones that are not successfully projected onto the reference surface are removed from the scene.
Transform Before Projection
Lets you transform the position of the clones before they are projected on to a surface. For example, this option is useful when creating an array of fence posts that sit on uneven terrain. It letss you randomize the position of the posts, while ensuring they don't move off of the terrain.
Orientation Bias
This parameter is only available when a reference object has been selected with the Pick Surface button.
Sets the amount the clone will use the surface as its direction normal.
Offset
This parameter is only available when a reference object has been selected with the Pick Surface button.
Sets the width of the array.
Array By Element
If the source object has multiple elements and this option is enabled, you can select from the following Array By Element methods to control the arrangement of clones.
  • Random: Each element is randomly used as a potential clone. In the following example, the parameters used are Count X: 8.
  • Ordered: Elements are arranged in sequential order based on a selected orientation (X, Y, Z) or Clone IDs. In the following example, the elements of the teapot appear in sequential order along the X-axis, repeating after the array has cycled through all four elements. Additional parameters used are Count X: 8.
  • First Middle Last: The first and last clone remain the same, and the remaining clones are arranged randomly. In the following example element 1 is the first clone and element 2 is the last clone. A Additional parameters used are Count X: 8.
    Note: A First Middle Last arrangement requires at least four elements in the object to provide the expected result.
Center By
When Array By Element is enabled, Center By is also enabled.
Sets the pivot of each clone on the X, Y, and/or Z axis to its center. Multiple axes can be selected simultaneously.
When creating an array composed of elements to be used as clones this makes it easy to lay out the individual elements along an axis so that they don't need to reside at the same location relative to the pivot. When disabled, each element uses its relative position to the source object's pivot point.
Seed
Sets a random number seed for the selection of elements to be used as clones.
Seed Randomization
Click to randomize the seed value.

Related topics

Parent topic: Array Modifier Distribution Rollout