How do I multiply Objects in a noncircular Array?

[tonfarben]

A grid is easily established by duplicating an object with duplicate tool with instances set on and an offset on the x-axis. After that duplicate the generated null-object (dunno in engl.) with the instances inside with the same offset for the z-axis.
A plugin for duplicating along splines or something could be usefull, but I think adapting the position of a splinepoint to an instance of an Object is easily be done with Xpresso or other expressions. Don´t ask me how...=)
I´m new to the forum, very good place for learning here, nice!

[Srek]

Hi,
have a look at my website www.bonkers.de (http://www.bonkers.de)
You will find an Xpresso example that shows how to use it to positon objects along a spline.
Hope this helps
Srek

[Swissphil]

Thank you folks, that was excactly what I was looking for:)

[JIII]

hmm I think you might be able to do this with ditools but I am not sure.

[brammelo]

I asked this before, but no answer yet - so I'll do it again ;-)

Is there a "decent" way of duplicating instances in an array-like way? I mean in 3 directions (as in polygon array), not in just 1, as the duplicate command lets you do. Ditools cannot be used to achieve this (directly), because you have no vertices at the inside of subdivided 3D-objects.

I see no reason not to have such a tool. Can someone help me out - maybe I overlooked something important?

Cheers,
BaRa

[JIII]

I don't know exactly what you are asking but this is a way to array objects easily. use duplicate to create as many instances as you want and then create a spline for the location on which the instances should be spread.

then use arrange, select your instance group and in the search field enter the name of the spline.

and viola you have instances arrayed, however i am not sure if this is what you meant atttached is a picture to illustate.

[brammelo]

Hi JIII,

This is not what I meant. Take a look at the array command in the structure > surface menu. Now compare that with the duplicate command in the functions menu.

With the array command I can duplicate polygons in a matrix-wise manner. I can't do this with duplicate command.

So if I want a 3D matrix-like array of instances, and with the original reference object as a part of the array, than I have to tweak a lot of it by hand. I have to start with duplicating instances in a row, then I have to duplicate the lot as a set of rows (which leads to a "plane"), and then i duplicate the set of rows in the other direction. Lot of work.

It's obvious it would be easier if the duplicate command offered the same options as the array command (and the clone command). It would make duplicating instances handy instead of hell.

I keep hoping there's a one-button solution to create those instance-arrays in C4D, but so far I haven't found it.

Cheers,
BaRa

[Cinema1954]

At least for simple polygon objects, simply selecting all the polys in the object before using the Structure - Edit Surface - Array works for me.

[brammelo]

yep, it works perfectly with polygons, but I would like to do the same with instances.

Cheers,
BaRa

[lllab]

the jenna plug in can do al that 3d matrix stuff and a lot more.

the new version willbe released soon.

check www.cidertank.com from ex bhodinut darf. in a few eeks you will get jenna 2 there.

it will help cinema extremely to do al kind of multiplacement stuff.

cheers
stefan

lllab

[Cinema1954]

There is a plugin for this (nthd DupliMatrix) at http://www.nthd.org/nthd/333 , but I can't get it to work correctly with R8. It creates the instances correctly, but they don't reference the initial object. Perhaps someone familiar with COFFEE could find the problem and make a mod.

[flingster]

ya i remember that plugin....
in r8.1 can't you change the reference point manually...again a ball ache....but drag drop etc...would this work?
:shrug:

[Cinema1954]

You can, but you have to do it for each instance. So much for speeding things up...

[CGTalk Moderation]

This thread has been automatically closed as it remained inactive for 12 months. If you wish to continue the discussion, please create a new thread in the appropriate forum.