Physics engine
A physics engine is a functional unit of information technology that is used to simulate physical processes and to calculate properties inherent in the object (e.g. impulse ). The aim is to simplify programming and to convey realistic motion sequences in a 3D view, for example realistic " game physics " should be achieved. The main areas of application are modern computer games and simulation software.
It is not always a question of physical accuracy. This is often due to the immense complexity of the calculations based on physical processes. Since in such cases there is usually a requirement for real-time capability, efficiency takes precedence over accuracy.
Types of simulation
- Physics of rigid bodies (rigid body mechanics)
- non-elastic physics with deformations (soft body dynamics)
- Mass-spring models (spring dynamics) u. a. as a basis for the simulation of ropes and fabric ( rope or cloth )
- Particle systems u. a. as a basis for the simulation of liquids (fluid dynamics) and fire
Rigid Body Mechanics
The physics of rigid bodies makes use of the laws of classical mechanics (Newtonian mechanics). The system to be analyzed is described by means of differential equations ( Newton's axioms ), which can be solved after inserting start and boundary conditions. Since exact solving is too time-consuming, approximation methods (e.g. Runge-Kutta method ) are mostly used (see rigid body simulation ).
The treatment of impacts is more complicated, since u. a. sudden changes in direction and momentum must be taken into account. A distinction is made between collision detection and collision response.
Physics engines
Engine | License | Web link | operating system | SDK / sources |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bullet | Open source | bulletphysics.com | Windows , Linux , Mac OS X | |
Box 2D (2D engine) | Open source | box2d.org | Windows, Linux, Mac OS X | |
IBDS | Open source | impulse-based.de | Windows, Linux, Mac OS X | |
Havok | commercially | Havok.com | Windows, Mac OS (from 4.0) | |
PhysX (formerly NovodeX) | Open source | nvidia.com | Windows, Linux | C ++, C # (PhysX-sharp) |
karma | commercially | - | Windows | |
Meqon | commercially | - | Windows | |
Newton Game Dynamics | Open source | Newtondynamics.com | Windows, Linux, Mac OS | |
Open Dynamics Engine | Open source | ODE.org | Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, Unix derivatives | |
Tokamak | Open source | tokamakphysics.com | Windows | C ++ |
True Axis | commercially | trueaxis.com | Windows | |
Phyz (Dax Phyz) | free | phyz.ath.cx | Windows | |
starLiGHT.Engine | commercially | starLiGHT-Engine.de | Windows, Xbox , Windows Phone 7 , Silverlight | C # / Microsoft XNA |
Step | Open source | https://edu.kde.org/step/ | GNU / Linux | C ++ |
In September 2005 ageia Technologies, Inc. took over competitor Meqon. Thus, the engine of the same name does not experience any further development, but support is guaranteed. In 2007 Havok was bought by Intel . Ageia, the original maker of PhysX, was bought by Nvidia in 2008.
Physics games
In many computer games, the player must take advantage of the in-game physics engine in order to advance in the game. Games that only consist of the player solving puzzles based on the physics engine are also known as physics games. For example, the player has to experiment with gravity , trajectories , friction , elasticity , magnetism and leverage and different fluids and gases in order to move figures or objects to a suitable position until the level has been passed.
Well-known examples of this are Angry Birds , Cut the Rope , Where's my water? , Crayon Physics Deluxe , Bridge Constructor , World of Goo and Crazy Machines . Physics games are mainly published as mobile phone and browser games and can usually be assigned to the genres of puzzles , brain games , games of skill , puzzles or jump 'n' run . Games like Angry Birds are also known as parabolic games because of their parabolic shape.
See also
Individual evidence
- ↑ zdnet.de: Nvidia buys Ageia Technologies , February 5, 2008.
- ↑ Felix Knoke: Fantastic physics games: throw, flight, meal! In: Spiegel Online . January 22, 2011 ( spiegel.de [accessed September 30, 2019]).
- ↑ The best physics games for Android (Part 1). In: Androidmag. September 1, 2013, accessed on September 30, 2019 (German).
- ↑ Playing with physics: roll, throw and fall. Retrieved September 30, 2019 .
Web links
- Simulation and game physics with many links
- Definition and application examples of Physic Engines in mechanical engineering with links to YouTube
- Importance of mechanics and electrodynamics for game physics with special attention to physical approximations
- Methods of multi-body dynamics simulation as the basis for realistic virtual worlds - state-of-the-art technology provides a comprehensive overview of and detailed introduction to the various methods of multi-body dynamics simulation, comprehensive literature list up to 2011