Physics
Overview
The physics system is central to Mass’ concept of sequencing. It is how you create evolution in your sequences, and introduce randomness and unpredictability. Every Part in a Composition is physically active, behaving and interacting based on a set of parameters listed below.
Velocity
Each Part has its own movement velocity within the system. This velocity affected in 3 ways:
- Created or altered using the Parameter Velocity controller
- Altered when the Part collides with a wall or another Part
- Altered when an Impulse Event is generated anywhere in the Composition
Parameters
Parameter: Velocity
The velocity parameter can be directly manipulated using the direction "pad" controller at the top of the Physics control block.
Setting initial velocity
Drag the central control handle (circle) to set or change the Part's velocity. The distance from the center to the control handle determines the speed the Part moves at.
Resetting velocity
Double-tap within the direction controller pad area. This can be done even if the transport is running.
Movement Restriction
By default, a Part is allowed to move in both the X and Y axes at any time. This allows for the most randomization of generated Events, and the broadest range of unique sequences. There may be instances where you want to restrict the movement of a Part. Mass allows you to individually enable and disable the X and Y movement of individual Parts. In the direction controller, tap either of the Up or Down arrows to toggle Y axis movement, and either of the Left or Right arrows to toggle X axis movement.
TIP: Clever use of movement restriction can create interesting effects on the rest of the generated sequence.
Parameter: Mass
Adjusts the mass value of the Part. When Parts collide in a Composition, the physical response takes their mass values into account. Parts with greater mass will take more energy to move.
TIP: Clever use of this parameter allows for balancing fast and slowly-evolving Part sequences. In multi-Part Compositions, be sure to experiment with a variety of mass values.
TIP: This parameter has the same name as the app!
Parameter: Resistance
Adjusts the Part's resistance to movement. If left at 0, the Part will continue moving at its current velocity forever, only changing when it collides with a wall or another Part. Resistance values greater than 0 will cause the Part to gradually slow down over time.
TIP: Parts by default start with a resistance value of 0. Clever mixing of Parts with and without resistance can help control the apparent speed of sequence evolutions.