Hinge Property Editor

Hinge Property Editor | Limits | Motor

Sets the options for the hinge constraint to determine its behavior in a rigid body simulation. Hinge constraints make connected rigid bodies move around an axis that acts as a hinge joint; that is, it provides only one degree of freedom in rotation.

To create a hinge constraint: Choose Create Rigid Body Rigid Constraint or Multi Constraint Tool Hinge from the Simulate menu. Then pick the location for the constraint object and the rigid bodies to be constrained.

To redisplay this property editor: Select the hinge constraint object and press Enter.

For more information on constraints in general, see Types of Rigid Body Constraints [ Simulation and Effects].

Constraint

Active	Toggles the activeness of the constraint. Deselect this option to mute the constraint, which prevents it from affecting the simulation.
Visible	Toggles the display of the constraint object in a view. Deselect this option to hide the constraint object.
Attached Bodies Intercollide	Toggles the collision state of rigid bodies that are attached together by this constraint. For example, if you don't want a forearm to collide with a biceps, deselect this option.

Parameters

Spring (Kp)	The constant that determines the strength of the torsional spring (the spring coefficient in Hooke's law). Kp is multiplied by the angular displacement of the hinge from its rest angle (in radians) to determine the force exerted on each rigid body. The units are based on Newtons per meter.
Damping (Kd)	Reduces the velocity of the constrained object. Kd is the damping coefficient, which is multiplied by the rigid bodies' mutual velocity to determine the damping force (which acts in the opposite direction as the Spring). The units are in Newtons per meter per second.
Rest Angle (R)	The angle (in degrees) which the hinge tries to return to during the simulation (its rest state).

Feedback

These parameters are for informational purpose only: you cannot modify them.

Limits

Restricts the range of movement allowed for the hinge:

Minimum Angle

Active	Toggles the activeness of the Minimum Angle limit. When you activate limits, a red icon appears at the center of the hinge to show you the current range of movement.
Minimum Angle	The lowest angle in the range of movement at which the hinge stops; that is, it cannot go below this value. This value (in degrees) must be lower than the Maximum Angle value. A value of 0 corresponds to the constraint's initial state orientation.

Maximum Angle

Active	Toggles the activeness of the Maximum Angle limit. When you activate limits, a red icon appears at the center of the hinge to show you the current range of movement.
Maximum Angle	The highest angle in the range of movement at which the hinge stops; that is, it cannot go above this value. This value (in degrees) must be higher than the Minimum Angle value. A value of 0 corresponds to the constraint's initial state orientation.

Motor

A motor applies a torque (force) to a constraint to get it to move at a desired speed (velocity). The motor only works with two rigid bodies used in the constraint relationship.

Motor Active

Toggles the activeness of the motor.

Power

Motor Velocity	The maximum amount of velocity that the motor can generate.
Maximum Torque	The maximum amount of force that can be applied to the constrained object.

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