What are the key features of a physics engine?

What are the key features of a physics engine?

A physics engine simulates physical systems in a virtual environment. Key features include collision detection, rigid body dynamics, soft body dynamics, fluid dynamics, and real-time simulation.

How does collision detection work in a physics engine?

Collision detection identifies when two or more objects intersect. It uses algorithms like bounding box checks and spatial partitioning to efficiently determine collisions.

Can you explain rigid body dynamics?

Rigid body dynamics involves simulating the motion of solid objects that do not deform. It calculates forces, torques, and the resulting motion based on Newton's laws.

What about soft body dynamics?

Soft body dynamics simulates deformable objects, allowing them to bend and flex. This is used for materials like cloth, jelly, or rubber.

Are there any popular physics engines I should know about?

Yes, some popular physics engines include Box2D, Bullet, and Unity's built-in physics engine. Each has unique features and use cases.