Reasonable 2d simulations with Bullet?

[pwagner]

Hey,

there's a general question I'm thinking about in the past days. Is it legitimate to solve a 2 dimensional problem with a 3 dimensional solver? Is it even possible to describe reasonable 2 dimensional problems with Bullet? What if the solution of a 2 dimensional problem would excite a force into the third dimension?

I hope someone can help me or at least give a hint how to find an answer.

Best regards

[Erwin Coumans]

You can solve 2D simulation in Bullet. Check out the Bullet/Demos/Box2dDemo

There is some special code in some of the Bullet classes that ignore the 3rd dimension for both collision detection and constraint solving. It still allows to interact between 2D and 3D objects. 2D object just can't move into the 3rd dimension.

If you are exclusively using 2D, you better go for Box2D.
Thanks,
Erwin

[pwagner]

Is there a reason you are suggesting Box2D? How about Chipmunk?