What's new in RailClone 4
In this article we take a comprehensive look at the RailClone 4 update. Among the highlights are the nested generators feature, single-click segment materials, Quick Mesh mode for high polygon counts, automatic capping of booleans, and the all-new RC Spline Modifier for markers.
Advanced Modelling with Nested Generators
One of the most anticipated features in RailClone 4 is nested generators, which allows you to take the output of one RailClone object and use it as a segment in another. You can even nest multiple levels without any limitation, greatly expanding the software's capabilities. If you're new to RailClone, you might think this feature is complex, but it can actually simplify your workflow considerably. For example, a style that previously took numerous nodes to create a hanging ornament of origami birds can now be done with far fewer nodes.
Streamlined Material Management
One of the recurring complaints from users of older versions of RailClone was the cumbersome process of managing materials. RailClone 4 simplifies this with the introduction of an automatic material assignment feature. Now, with just a checkbox, the software will automatically use the materials from your source geometry, bypassing the need for tedious manual assignment.
Enhanced Preview with Quick Mesh Mode
RailClone 4 introduces Quick Mesh mode, a feature aimed to speed up your workflow by allowing you to see instanced geometry directly in the viewport. The new mode adds to the existing methods of previewing your geometry, providing a faster way to work without frequent render previews.
Versatile Placement with Markers
Another addition is the concept of markers, which you can place at any point along a spline to specify where geometry should go. These markers don't affect the shape of the spline, making them highly versatile for layout and design. They can be added via the new RC Spline Modifier and can be edited easily, either through parameters or directly in the viewport.
Capabilities for Capping Geometry
Previously, RailClone's boolean tools didn't allow for the capping of sliced geometry. This limitation has been overcome in the latest release, as you can now automatically cap open borders simply by ticking a box in the generator's settings.
Better Group and Transform Mechanics
RailClone 4 has improved its handling of grouped items, making them behave more intuitively and allowing for easier manipulation of complex geometries. The software has also changed how it handles transform nodes, applying them sequentially instead of cumulatively, which makes it easier to anticipate the outcome of your transformations.
Workflow and Performance Improvements
Several enhancements aim to make your work in RailClone 4 more efficient. These include a grid and snap feature, the ability to select all child nodes of a highlighted node, and optimised evaluation of nodes. Performance has also been improved, especially for styles that make use of shared segments or nested generators.
Expanded Expression Controls
For those who use expressions in RailClone, the latest version offers several new variables and attributes that can be controlled, particularly to support the new markers feature. These added functionalities expand the possibilities for more advanced modelling.
Additional Features
RailClone 4 comes with other smaller improvements, such as the ability to generate empty segments through the Transform node and better control over padding. Furthermore, RailClone Tools now has "Separated Meshes" enabled by default and there is improved support for randomisation within generators.