Sandbox


License

The supplied files may be copied as long as no fee is charged, provided no changes are made to any files. The source code may not be used or modified without permission from the author.


Overview

Sandbox is a toy real-time mass and spring simulator where you can build objects and play with them to see how they react. The simulator models gravitational pull, dampened spring forces, kinetic friction, static friction and viscous damping.


System requirements

This application runs on the Win32 platform and has been tested on Microsoft Windows 95Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows NT and Microsoft Windows XP. The application is written such that the same simulator event taking place on computers running at different speed will take the same amount of real-time to perform. However, the faster your computer, the better the frame rate.


Instructions

Simply run the sandbox.exe file to start the application. You will be presented with a empty window with a menu bar.

On the menu bar, there is an item called Mode which you can use to set the current manipulation mode:

  • Build mode

In this mode you build objects out of masses and springs:

  • Left click in an empty space to create a new mass. This will become the selected mass, which can be seen by the spring that is attached from it to your cursor.

  • If you create another mass, or left click on a mass whilst another is selected, a spring is automatically attached between them.

  • Left click on the selected mass to deselect it.

  • Right click on a spring or a mass to delete it.

  • Play mode

    In this mode you can play with whatever you have built:

  • Left click and hold anywhere inside the window to grab the closest mass.

  • Drag to move it and release the button to let go.

  • If you let go whilst dragging, you will throw the mass.

  • Glue mode

In this mode you can stick down masses to stop them moving:

  • Left click on a mass to toggle between it being glued or not.


Also on the menu bar, there is an item called Options which you can use to toggle different options on and off:

  • Enable gravity

When this is on, every mass will be attracted towards the ground.

  • Enable friction

When this is on, masses will experience friction when they are in contact with the edge of the window.


Finally, using the File item on the menu bar, you can reset the application, save what you have made or restore something that was made before.


Files

The directory this file is in should contain:

  • sandbox.exe file.

    Application executable file.

  • ball.san, boxes.san, freefall.san, man.san, mesh.san, rope.san and tube.san files.

    Example application files.

  • msvc++ folder.

    Contains Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0 workspace for compiling the application.

  • source folder.

    Contains complete application source code for Win32 platform.


Contact

You can visit the author's homepage or send e-mail regarding questions, comments, suggestions or bug reports.


Disclaimer

This material is provided "as is", with absolutely no warranty expressed or implied. In no event shall the author be held liable for any damages whatsoever, including without limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business interruption, loss of business information, or any other loss arising from the use or inability to use the software. Any use is at your own risk.


Copyright © 2002 Sean Wilson. All Rights Reserved.