RailClone
Artist-friendly parametric modelling and layout for 3ds Max
WHAT IS RAILCLONE?
Tired of using fixed, hard to modify, assets that require time-consuming manual labour to edit? Wish it was easier to create smart parametric objects that are easy to update, can be used and reused again and again, but requires minimal time investment? Enter RailClone - the artist-friendly parametric modelling and spline-cloning plugin for 3ds Max that's fast, efficient, and easy-to-learn.
RailClone is unlike any other tool on the market. Objects are created simply by assembling and repeating existing geometry using an easy-to-define set of rules. If you can model in Max, you can create procedural objects with RailClone
Choose from hundreds of built-in presets, adapt existing objects by adding your own geometry, or even create your own from scratch using RailClone's easy-to-understand visual editor
THANKS TO RAILCLONE, NOW ANYONE CAN CREATE AND USE SOPHISTICATED PARAMETRIC ASSETS.
How does it work?
Learning RailClone is as easy as 1-2-3
1 - Base Objects
RailClone doesn't construct an object from scratch, it works by assembling and repeating existing pieces of geometry along paths. To do this it needs two things - a spline for the path and of course, some modular geometry.
2 - Rule Generators
Imagine you're explaining to a manufacturer how to build this bus shelter, you might say: "Put a glass panel at the start and the end, add mullions at 2m intervals, then fill in between with the roof and glazing." If you understand this, you understand RailClone.
3 - Modifiers
Just like Max, RailClone has its own modifiers, called operators, that are used to manipulate geometry. You can group items, create patterns, randomise transforms, UVs and materials IDs, create conditional relationships and much more.
GET STARTED WITH RAILCLONE
CHECK OUT OUR RESOURCES TO HELP YOU GET THE MOST FROM YOUR NEW FAVOURITE PLUGIN
Tips and Tricks tutorials
Start with the Principles of RailClone tutorial and head to our learning section for loads more videos. New episodes are added regularly!
TUTORIALSDocumentation
No feature is left unexplained in our comprehensive documentation that even includes two complete books, exercises and scene files.
PRODUCT DOCUMENTATIONUser Forum
Got a question? Let us know on the forum or simply browse previous conversations and benefit from the knowledge of our helpful support team
USER'S FORUMRAILCLONE 5: MAKE LIGHT WORK OF SMART ASSETS
Check out what's new in our latest release
Proxy Cache
Bake RailClone objects to a proxy cache without destroying instancing or losing access to advanced features. Caches can be stored in the scene or exported to a separate file to minimise file bloat and make them easy to reuse.
Distribute Lights and VDBs
Distribute non-geometric objects including lights and VDB volumes. Combine them with geometry for hybrid styles and even use RailClone Colour with light tint to create random variations.
Support for Groups
Precompose objects into standard Max groups and use them as segments that can be any combination of geometric objects, non-geometric objects like lights and VDBs, or both.
Intuitive banking control
Control the banking angle of geometry at any point along a spline by adding easy-to-manipulate gizmos via the RC Spline modifier. By simply rotating a marker, the geometry twists, turns, and smoothly deforms to match.
New Evenly Modes
Distribute geometry at regularly spaced intervals along a spline with more control than ever before. Force an odd number of intervals, an even number, or simply use the original mode where the number is determined by best fit.
Drop Down Lists
Make it easier for users to select geometry, change materials, turn on and off elements, or control pretty much any attribute of a graph that takes a numeric input using easy to understand text-based drop-down lists.
Compatible with Arnold 7
Use the latest version of Autodesk's built in rendering engine, as well as the latest releases of V-Ray, Corona, and Redshift.
Control generators using Marker data
Use markers to control many Generator parameters when using Extend X/Y Size to area mode. Where multiple markers are found on a spline, the value is taken from the first marker found.
Improvements to clipping
Translate or rotate nested generators or composed objects outside the boundary of a clipping area and still retain all the segments. Great for creating 100s of randomised hinged or sliding doors and windows.
RailClone
INTRODUCING RAILCLONE 5
MAKE LIGHT WORK OF SMART ASSETS
RailClone
BAKE RAILCLONE OBJECTS
OPTIMISE SCENES USING PROXY CACHE
RailClone
DISTRIBUTE LIGHTS
AND OTHER NON-GEOMETRIC OBJECTS
RailClone
INTUITIVE BANKING CONTROLS
TWIST, TURN, AND SMOOTHLY DEFORM GEOMETRY
RailClone
DISTRIBUTE GROUPS, DROP-DOWN LISTS
NEW EVENLY MODES, MARKER AND CLIPPING IMPROVEMENTS AND MORE!
KEY BENEFITS
PARAMETRIC MODELLING MADE EASY
Versatile
With RailClone there are no limits on your creativity. Unlike other scripts and plugins that are designed for a single type of model, in RailClone you can create almost anything.
Easy to use
RailClone uses an easy-to-understand visual Style Editor to create sophisticated structures. Unlike other tools, absolutely zero programming knowledge is necessary.
Fast!
RailClone is fully multi-threaded and highly optimized for speed. This, coupled with the efficient viewport display modes, and powerful instancing means that you can create and render huge objects, made from thousands of highly detailed parts.
Adaptive
RailClone assembles, transforms, slices and deforms geometry to create a seamless object. Just set a few rules, and the object is constructed for you automatically, even on curved paths!
Smart
Let RailClone do the thinking for you with advanced algorithms to deform geometry to follow sloping paths and surfaces. Inclined and uneven walls, stairs, handrails and balustrades and stepped fences are no longer a chore to create in 3ds Max.
Ready to go
RailClone Pro comes with nearly 400 predefined styles, including fences, railings, barriers, traffic, walls, and much more. The library browser is fully customizable, allowing you to add new categories and models with and share them with your colleagues
Read more about RailClone's features in the technical specification
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONFREE LIBRARY OF OVER 420 PARAMETRIC ASSETS
HUNDREDS OF READY-TO-USE HIGH-QUALITY PRESETS INCLUDING ROOFS, ROADS, PAVEMENTS, FENCES, GUTTERING, STREET LIGHTS, RAILINGS AND MUCH MORE!
INDUSTRIES
SEE EXAMPLES IN OUR GALLERY
ARCHITECTURAL VISUALIZATION
RailClone allows anyone to create smart architectural components that are easy to set-up and edit. It's not just a modelling tool either, its instancing power means you can easily create scenes with huge poly counts.
VISUAL EFFECTS
RailClone is an exceptional scene assembly tool. It's rule-based approach to modelling makes parametric layout accessible to VFX artists. From the most intricate detailing to planet-scale designs, RailClone has got you covered.
AEC
RailClone fits perfectly into design processes that require rapid and regular updates. Models are fully editable at any time and making changes is fast and easy - which means less time spent updating scenes, and more time spent designing.
MODEL YOUR SCENES IN MINUTES WITH
AN EXCLUSIVE RANGE OF HIGH-QUALITY READY-TO-USE RAILCLONE PRO ASSETS, ONLY AVAILABLE FROM ITOOSOFT
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
A PRO LICENSE OF RAILCLONE INCLUDES
Plugins compatible with 3ds Max 2013 - 2023 (Official support from 2018)
Access to new free libraries and macros released during the maintenance period
RailClone comes in 2 versions
- Can be used commercially.
- Free to use and never expires.
- Does not include a Maintenance Plan, with no access to prioritised technical support, forum file downloads, new content and betas.
- Three segments per object.
- One generator per object.
- NEW! Use advanced algorithms to deform geometry and follow paths on the X/Y and Z axes.
- NEW! Can be collapsed to editable mesh.
- Limited subset of presets.
- Libraries cannot be customised.
- Does not include RailClone Tools, cannot be converted to instances.
- Can be used commercially.
- Perpetual licensing.
- Includes a one year extendable Maintenance Plan with prioritised technical support, early access to beta versions, and regular updates.
- Unlimited segments per object.
- Unlimited generators per object.
- Use advanced algorithms to deform geometry and follow paths on the X/Y and Z axes.
- Can be collapsed to editable mesh.
- Over 420 presets.
- Add your own preset libraries.
- Includes RailClone Tools to convert to native instances.
Prices Exclude VAT