Parameters
The Copy and Transform node creates duplicates of the input geometry and applies a sequence of transformations to each new copy. This is a powerful tool for creating procedural patterns, arrays, and complex arrangements from simple shapes.
The original geometry is included in the Total Number count and is not transformed.
Parameters
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
Label | The display name for the node. |
Output mode | Determines if the output is multiple individual shapes or a single combined path. |
Distribution | How copies are arranged. |
Total number | The total number of objects, including the original. |
Columns | Number of columns for grid layout. Set to 1 for a single line. |
Translate | Translation step per item (or column). |
Row Translate | Translation step per new row. |
Radius | Radius of the circle. |
Start angle | Starting angle of the arc. |
Total angle | Total angle of the arc. |
Align rotation | Rotate copies to face the direction of the circle curvature. |
Rotate | Rotation applied to each copy. |
Scale | Scale applied to each copy. |
Uniform scale | A uniform multiplier for the scale. |
Pivot | The pivot point for scaling and rotation. |
Accumulate scale | If enabled, scaling affects the position of subsequent copies (Spiral/Fractal). If disabled, scaling happens in-place (Random/Grid). |
How It Works
The node operates by applying the specified Translate, Rotate, and Scale values cumulatively. This means each copy is transformed relative to the previous copy, not the original.
For example, if you set Translate X to 10 and Rotate to 5:
- Copy 1 will be translated 10 units in X and rotated 5 degrees.
- Copy 2 will be translated another 10 units and rotated another 5 degrees from Copy 1’s position.
- Copy 3 will be transformed relative to Copy 2, and so on.
The order of operations for each step is: Scale, then Rotate, then Translate. Both scaling and rotation occur around the specified Pivot point.
Copy Number Attribute
The Copy Number Attribute parameter allows you to store the index of each copy in a primitive attribute. The original geometry is copy 0, the first copy is 1, and so on. This attribute can be used in downstream expressions to create variations. For example, you could use an expression to change the color of copies based on their copyNum.