Distribution Assistants: Cubic Distribution

Cubic Distribution distributes layers within a 3D space defined by a cube or rectangular area. It is not to be confused with Box Creator, which distributes layers based on the surface of a cube or rectangular solid. For simplicity’s sake, the Cubic Distribution shape will be referred to as a cube, but keep in mind that shape can also be a rectangular area.

How it Works: Select the 3D layers in your composition that you wish to distribute within a cube, and go to Window> Cubic Assistant or Lite. The layers are placed through 3D space and along all three axes. Their only limitations are the boundaries of the cube and any restrictions you add with Distance values.

Cube Dimensions

Defines the size of the cube in which the selected layers will be distributed. The size limitation of this cube is 1,000,000 x 1,000,000 x 1,000,000.

Starting Value

The point in 3D space where Cubic Distribution will begin distributing your layers.

See Distribution Assistants, Common Parameters

Distribute Randomly checkbox

If this checkbox is selected, Cubic Distribution takes all the layers and positions them randomly within the selected area.

See Distribution Assistants, Common Parameters

Distance group

Distance determines how far apart the layers will be distributed along the cube. These parameters behave similar to Distance in Linear Assistant and Planar Assistant, except Cubic Distribtuion can distribute layers in three dimensions.

See Distribution Assistants, Common Parameters

Insert Keys group

Three checkboxes that specify which layer properties will have a keyframe set for them: Position, Rotation and/or Scale.

See Distribution Assistants, Common Parameters

Layer Orientation group

Determines what axis the layers are oriented around.

See Distribution Assistants, Common Parameters

Options> Scale Layers To Fit checkbox

Options> Reverse Layers Order checkbox

Options> Random Layer Selection checkbox

Options> Use Comp Center checkbox

Options> Repeat Layers checkbox

Options> Repeat Sequentially checkbox

Crop Text Layers to Size of Other 3D layers checkbox

See Distribution Assistants, Common Parameters