Models in sodaconstructor work in many different ways. Some have motors, others walkers, and others have zero-gravity. But all models need the right settings to make them work to their fullest. In this tutorial, I will show you about gravity, force, and springyness (aka K). In the old constructor it use to be the old slider bars to the left stating g, f, and k. Now its to the right in the physics tab.

The settings of a model are important as you will set the enviroment it walks on. Go to the physics tab, bottom right of the applet, and you will see three settings. Gravity, Friction, and Springyness. These settings replace the old KFG slider bar.

Gravity - All models need some sort of gravity to work. If you slide the ticker to the left; the gravity will push your model up. Where as if you slide the ticker to the right; real world gravity will apply, forcing your model down. You can however set it to no-gravity. Click the "Turn gravity off" button or slide the ticker to the very middle. Zero-gravity is used mostly in artisic models. Low gravity is used in walker models as most are usually light and too much could collpase it. Rolling models like Amoebas need higher gravity to sustain their fragile bodies.

Friction - This setting doesn't only work on ground. In sodaconstructor there is friction when your springs move. If you slide the ticker to the very left your model will act like its walking on slippery floor. If you slide it to the right the models will feel like they're moving in mud; slow. To completly stop models from moving, slide the ticker to the very right. The friction is too strong for them to move in which is why they stop. Walker models usually have low friction; enough so their legs give enough push to move across the field. Back in the sodaconstructor I, you'd see rollercoasters with very slippery enviroment. That is because masses need slippery tunnels or chutes to slide through. Friction should be carefully balanced with springyness.

Springyness - This settings helps models stand up. If the ticker is to the right - the springs get stronger and stiffer. If the ticker is slided to the left - the springs get weaker and more loose. Walkers gennerally tend to have strong support and what helps it is strong springs with the springyness setting to the right. I don't know any models that have weak springyness. But I am sure there are several models in the zoo that use it efficiently.

While this is the settings tutorial, there is a setting in the muscles tab. Go to the muscles tab and look at "Advanced". This section allows you to control your models movement. There are three options available and one chooseable option. I will explain all four options.

Waves moves forward - When selected the wave bar will move the right and your model to the left. This is good for models that can crawl up walls and move on both sides - top and bottom.

Wave is paused - This option, when selected, completely stops all muscle motions. When another option is chosen the muscles will start working again from where they left off as where you can also stop the movement of muscles by dragging the amplitude to its very left. This option works well so you can work with one amplitude setting; without the worry of where you left it off.

Waves moves backward - When selected the wave bar moves the left and your model to the right. If your model hits the wall while this option selected it will remain going the right unless you set the Auto-reverse movement.

Auto-reverse movement - This is an option you will see in most walkers. If you have this option on, walkers will go both ways. If the model hits a wall it go in the oppisite direction it hit from and vice versa. That way your model walks forever.

People say that the Wave bar is a setting. They are theoretically right. But the wave bar has to do with muscles and muscle placement. You will learn more about in the Muscles tutorial. This tutorial is to help you understand the settings in which you can apply to your models so they can perform at their fullest potentional.

Written by: JavaScript_Freek