The Slider is a machine block that can slide freely along its placement axis.
This block can be extended and retracted in the editor by pressing [F] while hovering over it. When extended, it will retract on entering simulation mode.
Settings[]
This block has no configurable settings.
Behaviour[]
The Slider, as the name suggests, can slide freely along its placement axis. Below one metre inwards/outwards it has a weak return force (i.e. will not hold up its own weight), and above one metre inwards/outwards it has a high return force.
This is in contrast to the Piston (which has no hard stops) and the Suspension (which has hard stops one metre inwards and one metre outwards).
It is one of the few blocks that does not ignore collisions with the block it is connected to. This means it usually cannot be moved inwards (unlike the Piston).
In terms of break force, it is twice as strong as the suspension and four times as strong as the piston.
Usage[]
The Slider is usually used for enforcing or reinforcing linear motion. Some examples of mechanisms which require it include:
- Mechanical legs
- Rotational-to-linear force conversion
- Extendable arms
- Flails
It can also be used for cosmetic purposes, in a limited context.
Technology[]
- In terms of actually putting them to use, they may be used in some Recoil Suppression systems to reduce sideways slop.
- Additionally, some mechanical Engines may make use of them for pistons or the like.
They are not commonly used blocks, due to their very niche use case and lack of adjustability.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- In Unity 4 versions (i.e. pre v0.20), they were a critical component of various glitch engines, or perpetual motion generators. These were broken by the Unity 5 upgrade.
- In more detail, the slider cannot be set extended in build mode because linear joint movement restrictions (as defined in Unity) can only be symmetric over the starting position (equal distances in and out), and sliders are intended to be limited between their starting position and one metre outwards (or inwards). In the retracted state, in vanilla, this limitation can be hidden by having the slider collide with the block it's connected to. However, there is no easy way to get around it in the extended state.
|
| |
|
Joints ( | |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
