In order to represent real-life behaviors in our games, we must simulate the effects of the laws of 3D physics in our 3D scenes. A UFO flying near the Earth will be attracted by gravitational force. Real things move and spin responding to forces, impulses, and torques. Therefore, we have to add physics simulation capabilities to our models' animations. We have to create a 3D world capable of reproducing some realistic behaviors.
Reading this chapter and following the exercises we shall learn how to:
Define parameters to work with physics simulation
Simulate real-life physics in each model movement and rotation
Add a gravitational force to a 3D scene
Define specific physics behaviors for the 3D characters that compose the 3D world
Understand how to apply forces and impulses to move a 3D model
Control the 3D models' rotations using torques
Animate particle systems using a physics engine