Constraining Two Rigid Bodies Together

 
 
 

When you are creating constraints between two rigid bodies, at least one of them must be active (see Active or Passive? for more information).

In this example, you will constrain object B to object A:

To constrain two rigid bodies together

  1. Choose a constraint from the Create Rigid Body Rigid Constraint menu in the Simulate toolbar: Hinge, Ball and Socket, Spring, Slider, or Fixed.

  2. The constraint object is created at the origin. Left-click the spot where you want it to be positioned — the constraint object goes there.

  3. Left or middle-click to pick object A (the passive object). The constraint object is attached to this object's center.

  4. Left or middle-click to pick object B (the active object). The constraint object is then attached to this object's center.

Ball and socket constraint created between two rigid bodies. Object A is passive and object B is active.

On the right, object B's resulting movement with gravity applied. Notice how the constraint object is attached to both constrained objects' centers.

The following illustrations show the other constraint control objects. The position and orientation of the control objects determine how the constrained object moves.

A

Hinge constraint object

B

Fixed constraint object

C

Slider constraint object

D

Spring constraint object

Spring and slider constraint objects can also be offset from the center of the rigid bodies.