Phun (2D Physics Sandbox)
Encyclopedia
Phun is a 2D physics engine
created by Emil Ernerfeldt for his master thesis while he was studying at Umeå University
in Sweden
. It is based on the Constructionist learning paradigm, and free for non-commercial use. On May 15, 2008 Phun was taken over by Algoryx Simulation AB
, where Emil continues his work on the program.
, and uses GLEW, SDL
, and Boost (including Boost.Filesystem).
The name "Phun" is a combination of "physics" and "fun", and the built-in programming language is called thyme.
Phun Beta 5 was renamed to "Algodoo: Phun Edition" after Phun was taken over by Algoryx Simulation AB
. Algodoo is now available to the public for a fee, and has already been made available for the Intel Classmate PCs and demonstrated at the 2009 BETT event in London. Beta 5 work is now complete, and is available at phunland.com.
formats.
Phun 4 had many user-made addons such as "Phun Gears", which allowed users to add gears into their scenes, although this feature has now been implemented into Phun 5. The source code for Phun 5 has not been released yet due to phun commercializing, so no addons can be made for phun 5.
2008 in San Francisco. It has also been displayed on the 2009 BETT show in London.
An article about Algoryx and Algodoo
has been published by TechWorld. (Swedish).
Physicsworld.com reviewed Phun on Jun 2, 2009.
Physics engine
A physics engine is computer software that provides an approximate simulation of certain physical systems, such as rigid body dynamics , soft body dynamics, and fluid dynamics, of use in the domains of computer graphics, video games and film. Their main uses are in video games , in which case the...
created by Emil Ernerfeldt for his master thesis while he was studying at Umeå University
Umeå University
Umeå University is a university in Umeå in the mid-northern region of Sweden. The university was founded in 1965 and is the fifth oldest within Sweden's present borders....
in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. It is based on the Constructionist learning paradigm, and free for non-commercial use. On May 15, 2008 Phun was taken over by Algoryx Simulation AB
Algoryx Simulation AB
Algoryx Simulation AB was formed in 2007 in Umeå, Sweden as a spin-off company from Umeå University. Algoryx currently has two products Algodoo and AGX Multiphysics a professional physics engine for engineering and real-time simulations.-Awards:...
, where Emil continues his work on the program.
Overview
Phun is a 2D physics sandbox written by Emil ErnerFeldt for his Master of Science thesis at the Umeå University in Sweden. It is based on the SPOOK linear constraint solver by Claude Lacoursière. It is written in C++C++
C++ is a statically typed, free-form, multi-paradigm, compiled, general-purpose programming language. It is regarded as an intermediate-level language, as it comprises a combination of both high-level and low-level language features. It was developed by Bjarne Stroustrup starting in 1979 at Bell...
, and uses GLEW, SDL
SDL
SDL may refer to:In computing:* Simple Declarative Language, a simple universal language for describing typed data in lists, maps and trees* Specification and Description Language, an ITU-specified system description language...
, and Boost (including Boost.Filesystem).
The name "Phun" is a combination of "physics" and "fun", and the built-in programming language is called thyme.
History
The first public beta of Phun was released on December 17, 2007, and received regular updates. The current official update as of now is beta 5.28.Phun Beta 5 was renamed to "Algodoo: Phun Edition" after Phun was taken over by Algoryx Simulation AB
Algoryx Simulation AB
Algoryx Simulation AB was formed in 2007 in Umeå, Sweden as a spin-off company from Umeå University. Algoryx currently has two products Algodoo and AGX Multiphysics a professional physics engine for engineering and real-time simulations.-Awards:...
. Algodoo is now available to the public for a fee, and has already been made available for the Intel Classmate PCs and demonstrated at the 2009 BETT event in London. Beta 5 work is now complete, and is available at phunland.com.
Gameplay
Phun is a sandbox physics program, which heavily concentrates on giving players just enough tools to envision their ideas. There is no set objective, and only basic tools. However, complicated devices can be built such as walkers, engines and transmissions.Thyme
Thyme is a scripting language created by Emil. It can be used to load scenes and alter variables within the program ranging from the strength of gravity to the color of the background. Like a lot of games, phun features a console window (opened with ~) which allows users to enter thyme code. The console uses an auto-complete function and structure type organization system, where only the scope will be shown when auto-complete is called (using tab).User created content
Phun has a wide range of community-built tools, including converters for BMP, SVG, blend and AutoCADAutoCAD
AutoCAD is a software application for computer-aided design and drafting in both 2D and 3D. It is developed and sold by Autodesk, Inc. First released in December 1982, AutoCAD was one of the first CAD programs to run on personal computers, notably the IBM PC...
formats.
Phun 4 had many user-made addons such as "Phun Gears", which allowed users to add gears into their scenes, although this feature has now been implemented into Phun 5. The source code for Phun 5 has not been released yet due to phun commercializing, so no addons can be made for phun 5.
Phunbox
The Phun community shares scenes under a creative commons 3 by-nc-sa license at phunbox, a community-built filesharing website. Users allow others to use their work, abiding by the CC3 by-nc-sa license. The phunbox has now been replaced with the algobox, where it includes content created in Phun and in Algodoo.Reception
Phun has been discussed and shown extensively on the internet, as well as being demonstrated at the Intel Developer ForumIntel Developer Forum
Intel Developer Forum , is a gathering of technologists to discuss Intel products and products based around Intel products. The first IDF was in 1997...
2008 in San Francisco. It has also been displayed on the 2009 BETT show in London.
An article about Algoryx and Algodoo
Algodoo
-Overview:Algodoo is a physics-based 2D sandbox developed and sold by Algoryx Simulation AB, and is the successor to the popular physics application Phun. Algodoo was released on the 1st of September, 2009 after significant delays in production...
has been published by TechWorld. (Swedish).
Physicsworld.com reviewed Phun on Jun 2, 2009.