DynaStep

Creates a user-defined number of copies in 3D space applying incremental transformations, i.e. each transformation is applied to each replicated object with respect to the previous one. It is similar to Step Copy command but it features a Construction Tree.

How to use

1. Click the DynaStep icon or choose the Tools > Transform > Replicate > DynaStep menu command.

2. The program console prompts Pick an Object.   

3. Pick the object you want to replicate. The Modeling Tool panel allows you to adjust dynamically various parameters such as the number of copies.

The following examples show how the use of DynaStep simplifies common replication tasks. The original object is first replicated 3 times with a translation along Z.

Now the object is replicated 10 times with a vertical translation and a rotation around Z axis.

To change the predefined position and orientation of replicated objects switch to Edit mode and edit direction axes that are, in the beginning, coincident to the original object local axes. The direction changes of the replicated objects reflect relative changes of these axes from original object axes.

Working in the interactive views, it is also possible to control the total translation of the sequence of replicate objects by picking and dragging the Direction hot-spot.

Options

Object

To change the object to replicate.

Views / Modeling Tool panel. Switch the Replace check button on and pick another object in the scene.

Copies

To specify the number of copies.

Modeling Tool panel. Set the value either by moving the slider or by typing it in the data field and pressing Enter.

Translation

To set XYZ translation values with respect to the world coordinate system.

Modeling Tool panel. Type translation values in the XYZ data fields and confirm them by pressing Enter.

Rotation

To set XYZ rotation values with respect to the world coordinate system.

Modeling Tool panel. Type rotation values in the XYZ data fields and confirm them by pressing Enter.

Scaling

To set XYZ scaling values with respect to the world coordinate system.

Modeling Tool panel. Type scaling factor values in the XYZ data fields and confirm them by pressing Enter.

Translation noise

To apply a random effect on translation.

Modeling Tool panel. Type values in the XYZ data fields and confirm them by pressing Enter.

Rotation noise

To apply a random effect on rotation.

Modeling Tool panel. Type values in the XYZ data fields and confirm them by pressing Enter.

Scaling noise

To apply a random effect on scaling.

Modeling Tool panel. Type values in the XYZ data fields and confirm them by pressing Enter.

Noise seed

This parameter affects the sequence of random numbers that determine the noise.

Modeling Tool panel. Set the value either by moving the slider or by typing it in the data field and pressing Enter .

Reset axes

Set direction axes to be coincident to the original object local axes.

Modeling Tool panel. Just click the Reset axes button.