Physics Engine vs Custom Physics Implementation

Developers should learn and use physics engines when creating interactive applications that require realistic physical behavior, such as video games (e meets developers should learn custom physics implementation when working on projects with unique or non-standard physics requirements that off-the-shelf engines cannot efficiently handle, such as specialized simulations in research, high-performance games with custom mechanics, or applications where licensing or performance constraints limit the use of commercial engines. Here's our take.

Physics Engine

Nice Pick

Developers should learn and use physics engines when creating interactive applications that require realistic physical behavior, such as video games (e

Pros

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• Related to: game-development, 3d-graphics

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Custom Physics Implementation

Developers should learn custom physics implementation when working on projects with unique or non-standard physics requirements that off-the-shelf engines cannot efficiently handle, such as specialized simulations in research, high-performance games with custom mechanics, or applications where licensing or performance constraints limit the use of commercial engines

Pros

• It is also valuable for gaining a deeper understanding of physics principles and improving optimization skills in fields like game development, robotics, or virtual reality
• Related to: game-physics, collision-detection

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

These tools serve different purposes. Physics Engine is a tool while Custom Physics Implementation is a concept. We picked Physics Engine based on overall popularity, but your choice depends on what you're building.

The Bottom Line

Physics Engine wins

Based on overall popularity. Physics Engine is more widely used, but Custom Physics Implementation excels in its own space.