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Cloning:
Cloning models is a very
useful technique which can save a lot of time when creating large numbers of an
object. It also has many other uses which will become apparent as you use
Max.
How an object is cloned depends on how the clone
needs to be modified later on.
There are 3 types of cloned objects: Copy,
Instance, and Reference.
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A
Copy is identical to the original at the time
of creation, but completely independent of it. Any subsequent changes made
to either the original or the Copy will have no
effect on the other.
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An
Instance is an exact replica of the original, and shares the same
data set. This means that any changes made to either the original or the Instance
will be reflected in the other. This is useful for a large group of objects
that need to remain identical, as you can select any one of the Instances
and change it's parameters to affect the whole group.
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A
Reference is a one way version of the Instance.
Any changes made to the original will be reflected in the Reference,
but changes made to the Reference will not
affect the original. This is useful for a large group of objects that are
basically the same, but require a few individual characteristics.
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There are two ways of cloning objects:
1:
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Make sure
the object is selected and then in the Menu Bar
click: Edit>Clone
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The Clone
Options Window will appear. Choose from Copy,
Instance or Reference.
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Name the
new object if you want.
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Click OK.
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The clone
will appear directly on top of the original and will be selected.
2:
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Whilst
holding down the Shift key, click and drag an
object using the Select and Move Tool.
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The
original object will not move and a clone will take its place as the
selected object.
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When you
let go of the mouse button, the Clone Options Window
will appear.
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Choose from
Copy, Instance or Reference.
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Name the
new object if you want.
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Choose the
number of clones required.
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Click OK.
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If you
chose to create more than one clone, the remaining clones will be created at
regular intervals from the original in the direction you moved the first.
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