9

318 Chapter 5: Creating Geometry
Scatter Compound Object
Select an object. > Create panel > Geometry > Compound
Objects > Objec t Type rollout > Scatter
Select an object. > Create menu > Compound > Scatter
Scatter is a form of compound object that
randomly scatters the selected source object either
as an arr ay, or over the surface of a distribution
object.
The plane of the hill is used to scatter the trees and two different
sets of rocks.
Pr ocedur es
To cre ate a Scat ter o bject:
1.
Create an object to be used as a source object.
2. Optionally,createanobjecttobeusedasa
distribution object.
3. Select the source object, and then click Scatter
in the Compound Objects panel.
Note: Thesourceobjectmustbeeitheramesh
object or an object that can be converted to a
mesh object. If the currently selected object is
invalid, the Scatter button is unavailable.
Results of scattering source object w ith distribution object
visible (above) and hidden (below)
You now have two choices. You can either
scatter the source object as an ar ray without
using a distribution object, or use a distribution
object to scatter the object. See the following
procedures.
To s catter the source obj ect wi thout a distr i bution
obj ect:
1.
Choose Use Transforms Only in the Sc atter
Objects rollout > Distribution group .
2. Set the Duplicates spinner to specif y the desired
total number of duplicates of the source object.
3. Adjust the spinners on the Transforms rollout
to set random transformation offsets of the
source object.
To scatter the source object using a distribution
obj ect:
1.
Makesurethesourceobjectisselected.
2. Choose the method by wh ich you w ant to clone
the distr ibution object (Reference, Copy, Move,
or Instance.)
3. Click Pick Distribution Object, and then select
the object you want to use as a distribution
object.
4. Make sure that Use Distribut ion Object on the
Scatter Object rollout is chosen.