6 replies to this topic

[InvisibleMan]

I'm planning on going through the resources Chris Hecker recommends in his article Physics References, however that article (from what I gather) was written in around 1997: 14 years ago.

I suspect that there have been new developments since the article was put together, which brings us to the reason for this post: Do you guys have any additions/changes to the list he gives? For example, changing the order in which a topic is studied, a new and better book for a particular topic in the list, new topics to add to the study list (with accompanying book recommendations if you can), etc.

I like the fact that he discusses each set of books and the pros/cons. If you guys could provide similar notes with your recommendations, as well as when I should study that topic (right after reading the Calculus book? After reading everything else in that list?) and what I will be able to do in my physics engine after I study it (like his "milestones"), it would really help :) Thanks

[roel]

Rigid body physics haven't changed since Hecker's article ;) I think that it is a good starting point. Random things:
- Hecker doesn't handle friction iirc, the Coulomb friction model is popular.
- Stacking objects is a nasty problem, I've read and used the ideas from the famous "nonconvex rigid bodies with stacking" paper for my own engine. I recently read a series of articles how Angry Birds (might) work, it discussed the physics as well but I didn't read it, so I don't know if it is interesting: http://www.wildbunny...y-birds-part-1/ that guy has more physics stuff on his page iirc.
- Box2d has tech info which was presented at some (?) conference.
- I think that it isn't wrong to start in 2D and get an idea of how complex physics engines can be before you advance to 3D.

[InvisibleMan]

Alright, thanks for the information :)

[alphadog]

InvisibleMan said:

What to study in prep for writing a physics engine?

Uhm, all of Newtonian (classical) mechanics?

[InvisibleMan]

alphadog said:

Uhm, all of Newtonian (classical) mechanics? :blink:

That appears to be listed in Chris Hecker's article :) The main question is: "Are there any resources for learning it which are better than the ones recommended in the article?".

[alphadog]

Game Physics, by Eberly. On the theoretical side. Also, there's a multi-author book called Game Physics Pearls with "practical" articles on a collection of topics. Also, I recommend a book called Collision Detection by Christian Ericson.

[InvisibleMan]

alphadog said:

Game Physics, by Eberly. On the theoretical side. Also, there's a multi-author book called Game Physics Pearls with "practical" articles on a collection of topics. Also, I recommend a book called Collision Detection by Christian Ericson.

Alright, thanks for the recommendations :)