Collaborative Physics

About

A browser-based physics playground which is shared between two users, controlled by the Leap Motion (keyboard and mouse fallback is also supported). Users are connected peer2peer through WebRTC, with no intermediate server. The idea is that the ease of a browser app, the interactivity of the Leap Motion, and the social nature of a shared space combine to create an ideal environment for exploring physics.

Built at the Tokyo 2017 Junction Hackathon in April using LeapJS, Collab.js, Matter.js, and Two.js.

Examples

balls rolling down ramp

lever tipping due to too much weight

fun contraption

Obviously with further utilization of the physics engine many more physics principles could be explored!

Modes

Currently there are three modes.

• Mode 0 allows the user to draw static polygons. The user draws the outline of a shape, and from this outline, the environment produces a polygon of similar shape. This polygon is static and is not affected by gravity.
• Mode 1 allows the user to create dynamic circles. These circles are affected by gravity and friction and are especially useful in exploring situations such as a ball rolling down a ramp.
• Mode 2 allows the user to create dynamic polygons. Similar to mode 0, the user draws each vertex, from which a polygon is produced. These polygons are affected by gravity and friction. Such objects are useful in explore the dynamics of blocks sliding down ramps and other scenarios.

Mouse and Keyboard Controls

Keyboard

Button	Function
c	Clear session space
spacebar	Switch mode

Mouse Click Control

Mode	Click function
0	Create shape
1	Create circle
2	Create shape

Leap Motion Controls

Universal Controls

Gesture	Function
Palm up and fist closed, hold	Clear session
Palm up	Switch mode

Mode 0

Gesture	Function
Pinch and draw	Create shape

Mode 1

Gesture	Function
Tap	Create circle

Mode 2

Gesture	Function
Pinch and draw	Create shape