While the replicator is fantastic for making all sorts of far-out graphics, we can use its powers for good, not just evil. In this tutorial, we will employ the replicator and a single behavior to create a complex-looking, yet diabolically simple, bottom-third animation. And all without using a single keyframe.

Please note that the movies in this tutorial require Quicktime 7 to view.

Create the replicator source shape

1. Select the rectangle tool from the toolbar or press the 'R' key.
2. Holding the Shift key (to make a square), draw a box in the canvas.
3. Press the Tab key to exit the shape drawing mode.

4. Position the shape at the bottom-center of the canvas.
5. In the Inspector, view the Shape tab and set the Fill color to the color of your choice.

Now we're ready to create our replicator, using the box we just drew. The default shape for the replicator is a rectangle, but we'll change it to a line and stretch it across the project.

Create the replicator

1. With the shape object selected, click the Replicate button in the toolbar or press the 'L' key.
2. In the Inspector, view the Replicator tab and change the Shape from 'Rectangle' to 'Line'.

3. In the Canvas, grab the left and right endpoints of the replicator and stretch it so that it spans the project area. You want the first and last boxes to just touch the edge. The alignment guides should help you keep the line straight.


NOTE: If you accidentally deselect the replicator object and can't seem to adjust the points, right-click (or Control-click) on the replicator in the canvas and choose the 'Replicator' mode from the menu.

4. In the Inspector, view the Replicator tab and slowly increase the number of Points until the boxes just overlap.

And there you have your bottom-third: a nice solid block of color, great for animating some text onto or popping a on a broadcast logo. If only it had a little life to it...