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A master's thesis from Aalborg University
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Simulating Object Stacking Using Stack Stability

Author

Term

4. term

Education

Publication year

2014

Submitted on

Pages

39

Abstract

This thesis investigates whether small-scale object stacking can be simulated in a game physics environment by focusing on the stability of the stack as a whole rather than the forces on individual bodies. The proposed system is implemented as an extension to the physics in the Unity game engine without modifying its closed-source core. It continuously evaluates stack stability, constrains object motion while the structure is deemed stable, and releases unstable parts so the underlying physics handles collapse. The system’s real-time behavior is compared with both real-world stacking of small objects (approximately 1–20 cm) and Unity’s built-in physics across several scenarios, showing improvements in most cases. A user study with adult participants with novice to intermediate knowledge of physics systems performed interactive stacking tasks; participants judged the commercial physics engine more visually plausible, while they found the proposed system more usable. These findings suggest that a corrective, modular layer atop an existing physics engine can make small-scale stacking more robust, albeit with trade-offs between visual plausibility and usability.

Dette speciale undersøger, om småskala stabling af objekter kan simuleres i et spilfysikmiljø ved at fokusere på stablens samlede stabilitet frem for kræfterne på hvert enkelt objekt. Systemet er implementeret som en udvidelse til fysikken i spilmotoren Unity uden at ændre den lukkede kildekode. Det evaluerer løbende stablens stabilitet, begrænser objekters bevægelse, mens strukturen vurderes stabil, og frigiver ustabile dele, så den underliggende fysik håndterer sammenbrud. Systemets realtidsadfærd sammenlignes med både virkelige stablingsforsøg med små objekter (ca. 1–20 cm) og med Unitys standardfysik i flere scenarier, hvor systemet viser forbedringer i de fleste tilfælde. En brugertest med voksne deltagere med begynder til mellemviden om fysiksystemer lod dem udføre interaktive stablingsopgaver; her blev den kommercielle fysikmotor vurderet som mere visuelt plausibel, mens det foreslåede system blev vurderet som mere anvendeligt. Resultaterne indikerer, at en korrigerende, modulær tilgang oven på en eksisterende fysikmotor kan gøre småskala stabling mere robust, om end med afvejninger mellem visuel troværdighed og brugbarhed.

[This apstract has been generated with the help of AI directly from the project full text]