Soft Body Physics

The soft physics deformation algorithm works by simulating wave-like vertex displacement in response to collisions. When an object impacts the mesh, the script calculates a wave function that propagates from the collision point, using sine and exponential functions to create a natural, physics-inspired deformation. The wave's amplitude is modulated by collision force, gravity, and vertical position, ensuring more dramatic movement at the top of the object. A smoothing interpolation technique prevents abrupt shape changes by gradually transitioning vertices between their original and deformed positions, creating a fluid, organic motion that mimics the soft, responsive behavior of semi-rigid materials. The algorithm continuously dampens the wave's intensity over time, allowing the mesh to gradually return to its original shape while maintaining a realistic, dynamic response to physical interactions.

Demonstrations

Setup:

1. Import the Soft folder into a Unity project.
2. Two prefabs have already been setup and can be used immediately by dragging them into the scene.

Using Other Meshes:

1. Other meshes can be created in a appropriate 3D modeling software
2. The mesh must be composed of quads—Unity will triangulate these when the model is imported
3. More topology = higher resolution deformation
4. Ensure Read/Write is enabled in the model import settings
5. Attach the Soft_Physics script to the mesh
6. Enable Convex in the mesh collider component
7. Configure the settings for the script in the inspector to your liking—this may take some time