Collision object

Functions and messages for collision object physics interaction with other objects (collisions and ray-casting) and control of physical behaviors.

angular_damping

number collision object angular damping

The angular damping value for the collision object. Setting this value alters the damping of angular motion of the object (rotation). Valid values are between 0 (no damping) and 1 (full damping).

EXAMPLES

How to decrease a collision object component's angular damping:

-- get angular damping from collision object "collisionobject" in gameobject "floater"
local target = "floater#collisionobject"
local damping = go.get(target, "angular_damping")
-- decrease it by 10%
go.set(target, "angular_damping", damping * 0.9)

angular_velocity

vector3 collision object angular velocity

READ ONLY Returns the current angular velocity of the collision object component as a vector3. The velocity is measured as a rotation around the vector with a speed equivalent to the vector length in radians/s.

EXAMPLES

How to query a collision object component's angular velocity:

-- get angular velocity from collision object "collisionobject" in gameobject "boulder"
-- this is a 2d game so rotation around z is the only one available.
local velocity = go.get("boulder#collisionobject", "angular_velocity.z")
-- do something interesting
if velocity < 0 then
    -- clockwise rotation
    ...
else
    -- counter clockwise rotation
    ...
end

apply_force

applies a force on a collision object

Post this message to a collision-object-component to apply the specified force on the collision object. The collision object must be dynamic.

PARAMETERS

force -

vector3 the force to be applied on the collision object, measured in Newton

position -

vector3 the position where the force should be applied

EXAMPLES

Assuming the instance of the script has a collision-object-component with id "co":

-- apply a force of 1 Newton towards world-x at the center of the game object instance
msg.post("#co", "apply_force", {force = vmath.vector3(1, 0, 0), position = go.get_world_position()})

collision_response

reports a collision between two collision objects

This message is broadcasted to every component of an instance that has a collision object, when the collision object collides with another collision object. For a script to take action when such a collision happens, it should check for this message in its on_message callback function.

This message only reports that a collision actually happened and will only be sent once per colliding pair and frame. To retrieve more detailed information, check for the contact_point_response instead.

PARAMETERS

other_id -

hash the id of the instance the collision object collided with

other_position -

vector3 the world position of the instance the collision object collided with

other_group -

hash the collision group of the other collision object (hash)

own_group -

hash the collision group of the own collision object (hash)

EXAMPLES

How to take action when a collision occurs:

function on_message(self, message_id, message, sender)
    -- check for the message
    if message_id == hash("collision_response") then
        -- take action
    end
end

contact_point_response

reports a contact point between two collision objects

This message is broadcasted to every component of an instance that has a collision object, when the collision object has contact points with respect to another collision object. For a script to take action when such contact points occur, it should check for this message in its on_message callback function.

Since multiple contact points can occur for two colliding objects, this message can be sent multiple times in the same frame for the same two colliding objects. To only be notified once when the collision occurs, check for the collision_response message instead.

PARAMETERS

position -

vector3 world position of the contact point

normal -

vector3 normal in world space of the contact point, which points from the other object towards the current object

relative_velocity -

vector3 the relative velocity of the collision object as observed from the other object

distance -

number the penetration distance between the objects, which is always positive

applied_impulse -

number the impulse the contact resulted in

life_time -

number life time of the contact, not currently used

mass -

number the mass of the current collision object in kg

other_mass -

number the mass of the other collision object in kg

other_id -

hash the id of the instance the collision object is in contact with

other_position -

vector3 the world position of the other collision object

other_group -

hash the collision group of the other collision object (hash)

own_group -

hash the collision group of the own collision object (hash)

EXAMPLES

How to take action when a contact point occurs:

function on_message(self, message_id, message, sender)
    -- check for the message
    if message_id == hash("contact_point_response") then
        -- take action
    end
end

linear_damping

number collision object linear damping

The linear damping value for the collision object. Setting this value alters the damping of linear motion of the object. Valid values are between 0 (no damping) and 1 (full damping).

EXAMPLES

How to increase a collision object component's linear damping:

-- get linear damping from collision object "collisionobject" in gameobject "floater"
local target = "floater#collisionobject"
local damping = go.get(target, "linear_damping")
-- increase it by 10% if it's below 0.9
if damping <= 0.9 then
    go.set(target, "linear_damping", damping * 1.1)
end

linear_velocity

vector3 collision object linear velocity

READ ONLY Returns the current linear velocity of the collision object component as a vector3. The velocity is measured in units/s (pixels/s).

EXAMPLES

How to query a collision object component's linear velocity:

-- get linear velocity from collision object "collisionobject" in gameobject "ship"
local source = "ship#collisionobject"
local velocity = go.get(source, "linear_velocity")
-- apply the velocity on target game object "boulder"'s collision object as a force
local target = "boulder#collisionobject"
local pos = go.get_position(target)
msg.post(target, "apply_force", { force = velocity, position = pos })

mass

number collision object mass

READ ONLY Returns the defined physical mass of the collision object component as a number.

EXAMPLES

How to query a collision object component's mass:

-- get mass from collision object component "boulder"
local mass = go.get("#boulder", "mass")
-- do something useful
assert(mass > 1)

physics.JOINT_TYPE_FIXED

fixed joint type

The following properties are available when connecting a joint of JOINT_TYPE_FIXED type:

PARAMETERS

max_length -

number The maximum length of the rope.

physics.JOINT_TYPE_HINGE

hinge joint type

The following properties are available when connecting a joint of JOINT_TYPE_HINGE type:

PARAMETERS

reference_angle -

number The bodyB angle minus bodyA angle in the reference state (radians).

lower_angle -

number The lower angle for the joint limit (radians).

upper_angle -

number The upper angle for the joint limit (radians).

max_motor_torque -

number The maximum motor torque used to achieve the desired motor speed. Usually in N-m.

motor_speed -

number The desired motor speed. Usually in radians per second.

enable_limit -

boolean A flag to enable joint limits.

enable_motor -

boolean A flag to enable the joint motor.

joint_angle -

number READ ONLYCurrent joint angle in radians. (Read only field, available from physics.get_joint_properties())

joint_speed -

number READ ONLYCurrent joint angle speed in radians per second. (Read only field, available from physics.get_joint_properties())

physics.JOINT_TYPE_SLIDER

hinge joint type

The following properties are available when connecting a joint of JOINT_TYPE_SLIDER type:

PARAMETERS

local_axis_a -

vector3 The local translation unit axis in bodyA.

reference_angle -

number The constrained angle between the bodies: bodyB_angle - bodyA_angle.

enable_limit -

boolean Enable/disable the joint limit.

lower_translation -

number The lower translation limit, usually in meters.

upper_translation -

number The upper translation limit, usually in meters.

enable_motor -

boolean Enable/disable the joint motor.

max_motor_force -

number The maximum motor torque, usually in N-m.

motor_speed -

number The desired motor speed in radians per second.

joint_translation -

number READ ONLYCurrent joint translation, usually in meters. (Read only field, available from physics.get_joint_properties())

joint_speed -

number READ ONLYCurrent joint translation speed, usually in meters per second. (Read only field, available from physics.get_joint_properties())

physics.JOINT_TYPE_SPRING

spring joint type

The following properties are available when connecting a joint of JOINT_TYPE_SPRING type:

PARAMETERS

length -

number The natural length between the anchor points.

frequency -

number The mass-spring-damper frequency in Hertz. A value of 0 disables softness.

damping -

number The damping ratio. 0 = no damping, 1 = critical damping.

physics.create_joint()

create a physics joint

Create a physics joint between two collision object components.

Note: Currently only supported in 2D physics.

PARAMETERS

joint_type -

number the joint type

collisionobject_a -

string | hash | url first collision object

joint_id -

string | hash id of the joint

position_a -

vector3 local position where to attach the joint on the first collision object

collisionobject_b -

string | hash | url second collision object

position_b -

vector3 local position where to attach the joint on the second collision object

[properties] -

table optional joint specific properties table

See each joint type for possible properties field. The one field that is accepted for all joint types is: - boolean collide_connected: Set this flag to true if the attached bodies should collide.

physics.destroy_joint()

destroy a physics joint

Destroy an already physics joint. The joint has to be created before a destroy can be issued.

Note: Currently only supported in 2D physics.

PARAMETERS

collisionobject -

string | hash | url collision object where the joint exist

joint_id -

string | hash id of the joint

physics.get_gravity()

get the gravity for collection

Get the gravity in runtime. The gravity returned is not global, it will return the gravity for the collection that the function is called from.

Note: For 2D physics the z component will always be zero.

RETURN

[type:vector3] -

gravity vector of collection

EXAMPLES

function init(self)
    local gravity = physics.get_gravity()
    -- Inverse gravity!
    gravity = -gravity
    physics.set_gravity(gravity)
end

physics.get_joint_properties()

get properties for a joint

Get a table for properties for a connected joint. The joint has to be created before properties can be retrieved.

Note: Currently only supported in 2D physics.

PARAMETERS

collisionobject -

string | hash | url collision object where the joint exist

joint_id -

string | hash id of the joint

RETURN

[type:table] -

properties table. See the joint types for what fields are available, the only field available for all types is:

physics.get_joint_reaction_force()

get the reaction force for a joint

Get the reaction force for a joint. The joint has to be created before the reaction force can be calculated.

Note: Currently only supported in 2D physics.

PARAMETERS

collisionobject -

string | hash | url collision object where the joint exist

joint_id -

string | hash id of the joint

RETURN

force -

vector3 reaction force for the joint

physics.get_joint_reaction_torque()

get the reaction torque for a joint

Get the reaction torque for a joint. The joint has to be created before the reaction torque can be calculated.

Note: Currently only supported in 2D physics.

PARAMETERS

collisionobject -

string | hash | url collision object where the joint exist

joint_id -

string | hash id of the joint

RETURN

torque -

float the reaction torque on bodyB in N*m.

physics.raycast()

requests a ray cast to be performed

Ray casts are used to test for intersections against collision objects in the physics world. Collision objects of types kinematic, dynamic and static are tested against. Trigger objects do not intersect with ray casts. Which collision objects to hit is filtered by their collision groups and can be configured through groups.

PARAMETERS

from -

vector3 the world position of the start of the ray

to -

vector3 the world position of the end of the ray

groups -

table a lua table containing the hashed groups for which to test collisions against

RETURN

result -

table It returns a table. If missed it returns nil. See ray_cast_response for details on the returned values.

EXAMPLES

How to perform a ray cast synchronously:

function init(self)
    self.my_groups = {hash("my_group1"), hash("my_group2")}
end

function update(self, dt)
    -- request ray cast
    local result = physics.raycast(my_start, my_end, self.my_groups)
    if result ~= nil then
        -- act on the hit (see 'ray_cast_response')
    end
end

physics.raycast_async()

requests a ray cast to be performed

Ray casts are used to test for intersections against collision objects in the physics world. Collision objects of types kinematic, dynamic and static are tested against. Trigger objects do not intersect with ray casts. Which collision objects to hit is filtered by their collision groups and can be configured through groups. The actual ray cast will be performed during the physics-update.

PARAMETERS

from -

vector3 the world position of the start of the ray

to -

vector3 the world position of the end of the ray

groups -

table a lua table containing the hashed groups for which to test collisions against

[request_id] -

number a number between [0,-255]. It will be sent back in the response for identification, 0 by default

EXAMPLES

How to perform a ray cast asynchronously:

function init(self)
    self.my_groups = {hash("my_group1"), hash("my_group2")}
end

function update(self, dt)
    -- request ray cast
    physics.raycast_async(my_start, my_end, self.my_groups)
end

function on_message(self, message_id, message, sender)
    -- check for the response
    if message_id == hash("ray_cast_response") then
        -- act on the hit
    elseif message_id == hash("ray_cast_missed") then
        -- act on the miss
    end
end

physics.set_gravity()

set the gravity for collection

Set the gravity in runtime. The gravity change is not global, it will only affect the collection that the function is called from.

Note: For 2D physics the z component of the gravity vector will be ignored.

PARAMETERS

gravity -

vector3 the new gravity vector

EXAMPLES

function init(self)
    -- Set "upside down" gravity for this collection.
    physics.set_gravity(vmath.vector3(0, 10.0, 0))
end

physics.set_hflip()

flip the geometry horizontally for a collision object

Flips the collision shapes horizontally for a collision object

PARAMETERS

url -

string | hash | url the collision object that should flip its shapes

flip -

boolean true if the collision object should flip its shapes, false if not

EXAMPLES

function init(self)
    self.fliph = true -- set on some condition
    physics.set_hflip("#collisionobject", self.fliph)
end

physics.set_joint_properties()

set properties for a joint

Updates the properties for an already connected joint. The joint has to be created before properties can be changed.

Note: Currently only supported in 2D physics.

PARAMETERS

collisionobject -

string | hash | url collision object where the joint exist

joint_id -

string | hash id of the joint

properties -

table joint specific properties table

Note: The collide_connected field cannot be updated/changed after a connection has been made.

physics.set_vflip()

flip the geometry vertically for a collision object

Flips the collision shapes vertically for a collision object

PARAMETERS

url -

string | hash | url the collision object that should flip its shapes

flip -

boolean true if the collision object should flip its shapes, false if not

EXAMPLES

function init(self)
    self.flipv = true -- set on some condition
    physics.set_vflip("#collisionobject", self.flipv)
end

ray_cast_missed

reports a ray cast miss

This message is sent back to the sender of a ray_cast_request, if the ray didn't hit any collision object. See physics.raycast_async for examples of how to use it.

PARAMETERS

request_id -

number id supplied when the ray cast was requested

ray_cast_response

reports a ray cast hit

This message is sent back to the sender of a ray_cast_request, if the ray hit a collision object. See physics.raycast_async for examples of how to use it.

PARAMETERS

fraction -

number the fraction of the hit measured along the ray, where 0 is the start of the ray and 1 is the end

position -

vector3 the world position of the hit

normal -

vector3 the normal of the surface of the collision object where it was hit

id -

hash the instance id of the hit collision object

group -

hash the collision group of the hit collision object as a hashed name

request_id -

number id supplied when the ray cast was requested

trigger_response

reports interaction (enter/exit) between a trigger collision object and another collision object

This message is broadcasted to every component of an instance that has a collision object, when the collision object interacts with another collision object and one of them is a trigger. For a script to take action when such an interaction happens, it should check for this message in its on_message callback function.

This message only reports that an interaction actually happened and will only be sent once per colliding pair and frame. To retrieve more detailed information, check for the contact_point_response instead.

PARAMETERS

other_id -

hash the id of the instance the collision object collided with (hash)

enter -

boolean if the interaction was an entry or not

other_group -

hash the collision group of the triggering collision object (hash)

own_group -

hash the collision group of the own collision object (hash)

EXAMPLES

How to take action when a trigger interaction occurs:

function on_message(self, message_id, message, sender)
    -- check for the message
    if message_id == hash("trigger_response") then
        if message.enter then
            -- take action for entry
        else
            -- take action for exit
        end
    end
end