Gamestudio/A8 Physics

Gamestudio/A8 contains a physics subsystem based on the PhysX™ Engine by nVIDIA, which allows for realistic motion of models. The basic functions support rigid bodies and joints. With additional plugins, deformable bodies, liquids, cloth and many other effects can be supported.

Because this type of simulation is CPU resp. GPU intensive, the physics subsystem is disabled by default. When you wish to use it, include the ackphysx.h header, and call physX_open(). Afterwards you can load a level and register dynamic physics objects for the simulation. This delegates exclusive motion control of those objects to the engine; they can not be moved anymore by changing their position. When you no longer need a physics entity, unregister it or disable the physics system.

Functions Overview

Include Physics in your Game

• Include <ackphysx.h> in your main.c file, after <acknex.h> or <default.c>
• Call physX_open() before loading the first level. This registers the level with all static models as physics obstacles.
• Call pXent_settype(entity,...) to register dynamic entities for physics.
• If desired, set the object's attributes ( pXent_setelasticity, pXent_setdamping etc)
• For publishing a physics game, copy ackphysX.dll, PhysXLoader.dll, PhysXCooking.dll and NxCharacter.dll into your published game folder. The first file can be found in acknex_plugins, the other three in the Gamestudio folder.
• For distributing a physics game, you must follow the EULA. Either include the recent PhysX System Software from nVidia in your installation program, or provide a link for your users to download it on their own from the PhysX download page (http://www.nvidia.com/object/physx_system_software.html).

Example

#include <default.c>
#include <ackphysx.h>

function main()
{
  physX_open();
  level_load(""); // load an empty level
  vec_set(camera.x,vector(-100,0,30));
  pXent_settype (NULL,PH_STATIC,PH_PLANE); // create a static plane at groundlevel zero
  
  ENTITY* ball = ent_create(SPHERE_MDL,vector(0,0,100),NULL);
  pXent_settype (ball,PH_RIGID,PH_SPHERE ); // create a ball
  pXent_setelasticity(ball,50);
  pXent_addvelcentral(ball,vector(0,-10,0)); // make it jump and roll sidewards

  while(1){
    pX_pick(); // pick and move the ball with the cursor
    wait(1);
  }
}

Credits

See also: