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2021.1.1560.3 Conveyor Belt
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2021.1.1560.3 Conveyor Belt

Owned by Bob Ebergen
Jun 08, 2022
4 min read

Overview

The Conveyor Belt allows you move objects over its surface where the velocity is determined by the rotation of a DWheel Joint.

It also has the ability to create a loft mesh to use as its surface but is is optional.

A rigid body is required for this component.

Where to find

The Conveyor Belt can be found under Standard Components > Conveyor Belt > Add Physical Component.

This will add the Conveyor Belt component to the currently selected object or create a new empty GameObject with the component attached if no objects are selected.

Feature Layout

Conveyor Belt Settings

 

Wheel Joint

The Wheel Joint used as the driver for the Conveyor Belt.

Velocity

The current velocity of the belt, which is driven by the rotation of the wheel joint.

(This value is read only)

Inverted Axis

When checked the rotation of the wheel will be done in the inverted direction for the belt.

Local Direction

The local direction of the belt it is moving in.

Loft Mesh Settings

 

Circumference Spline

The (closed) Spline used to define the Loft Circumference.

Surface Spline

The Spline used to define the Loft Surface.

Set Optimal Orientation

When pressed guesses the optimal rotation values for the spline control points for the circumference and surface spline based on current shape.

Circumference Max Length Deviation

The maximum distance between points on the Circumference Spline.

Circumference Max Angle Deviation

The maximum angle between points on the Circumference Spline.

Surface Max Angle Deviation

The maximum distance between points on the Surface Spline

Invert Surface Normals

When checked generating the loft mesh will have triangle normal's on the opposite side.

Show as Rendered Mesh

When checked generating the Loft Mesh will also create a Mesh Filter and a Mesh Renderer.

Clear Surface

When pressed the previously generated surface will be cleared.

Generate Loft Mesh

When pressed will generate a Loft Mesh from the surface created by circumference and surface spline.

Gizmo Settings

 

Enable Velocity Gizmo

When checked the Velocity Gizmo will be enabled.

Show when not selected

When checked the Velocity Gizmo will be enabled when the component is not selected.

Velocity Gizmo Color

The color of the Velocity Gizmo

How to use

  1. Generate a Loft Mesh (optional)

To generate a Loft Mesh, you first need to describe its surface. You do so by creating a Circumference and Surface Spline.

First create a Circumference Spline. This needs to be a closed spline around the edge of the belt.

Then, create a Surface Spline. This spline must be perpendicular to any point on the Circumference Spline.

If not sure if rotations over spline are correct press Set Optimal Orientation to get a good estimate.

As soon as you are satisfied with the generated surface, click Generate Loft Mesh. This will generate the loft mesh and add it to a MeshCollider on the GameObject.

2. Assign a WeelJoint

The conveyor belt requires a wheel joint to function. Rotating the wheel joint will result in a velocity change of the belt. This way you can have, for example, a motor component drive the conveyor belt.

3. Set the Friction Type (optional)

Make sure that project settings have Friction Type set to “Patch Friction Type”. The provides the best result other friction type can work but have more issue’s.

Note: Friction Type can be found in the Project Settings:
Edit → Project Settings → Physics → Friction Type

4. Set local direction

The conveyor belt requires direction to move in to function and can only move in that direction.

 

Related content

Prespective Documentation