gravity

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Synopsis

gravity( [objects] , [attenuation=float], [directionX=float], [directionY=float], [directionZ=float], [magnitude=float], [maxDistance=linear], [name=string], [perVertex=boolean], [position=[linear, linear, linear]])

Note: Strings representing object names and arguments must be separated by commas. This is not depicted in the synopsis.

gravity is undoable, queryable, and editable.

The transform is the associated dependency node. Use connectDynamic to cause the field to affect a dynamic object.

If fields are created, this command returns the names of each of the fields. If a field was queried, the results of the query are returned. If a field was edited, the field name is returned.

If object names are provided or the active selection list is non-empty, the command creates a field for every object in the list and calls addDynamic to add it to the object. If the list is empty, the command defaults to -pos 0 0 0.

Setting the -pos flag with objects named on the command line is an error.

The default for -dx -dy -dz is always the opposite of the current up direction. For example, if the current up direction is (0,1,0) (a standard Maya configuration), then the gravity default is -dx 0 -dy -1 -dz 0. The default for -a is 9.8. 9.8 meters per second squared happens to be standard Earth gravity, but in fact Maya interprets this value as centimeters per second squared. If we were to use it as meters per second squared then with default Maya units, your particles would vanish almost in the wink of an eye. If you want a different value, set it in the gravity option box.

Return value

In query mode, return type is based on queried flag.

Related

Flags

Long name (short name)	Argument types	Properties
position(pos)	[linear, linear, linear]
Position in space where you want to place a field. The gravity then emanates from this position in space rather than from an object. Note that you can both use -pos (creating a field at a position) and also provide object names.
magnitude(m)	float
Strength of field.
attenuation(att)	float
Attentuation rate of field
maxDistance(mxd)	linear
Maximum distance at which field is exerted. -1 indicates that the field has no maximum distance.
name(n)	string
name of field
perVertex(pv)	boolean
Per-vertex application. If this flag is set true, then each individual point (CV, particle, vertex,etc.) of the chosen object exerts an identical copy of the force field. If this flag is set to false, then the force is exerted only from the geometric center of the set of points.
directionX(dx)	float
X-component of direction.
directionY(dy)	float
Y-component of direction.
directionZ(dz)	float
Z-component of direction

Flag can appear in Create mode of command	Flag can appear in Edit mode of command
Flag can appear in Query mode of command	Flag can have multiple arguments, passed either as a tuple or a list.

Python examples

import maya.cmds as cmds

cmds.gravity( 'particle1' )
# Creates a gravity field and adds it to the list of fields
# owned by particle1.

cmds.gravity( pos=(-2, 0, 4) )
# Creates a gravity field at position (0,2,4) in world coordinates.

cmds.gravity( 'MyGravity', e=True, att=10.4 )
# Changes the gravitational acceleration of the field called
# "MyGravity" to 10.4.

cmds.gravity( dx=0, dy=1.0, dz=0.5 )
# Creates a gravity field pulling in direction (0,1,0.5) for every
# active selection. If there is no active selection, it creates this
# field at world position (0,0,0).