Today we’ll see how to copy physics settings from one object to another. In particular we’ll be copying the rigid body settings. I’ll be using the 2.81 version of Blender.
We’re going to make a short exercise in a couple of steps, so feel free to follow along. If you prefer to watch a video first, here it is:
And now let’s get to work. Here are the steps to follow:
Table of Contents
Step 1 – Add Rigid Body
Delete the default cube. Add a plane and scale it : S 10.
In the Physics tab add RigidBody (A) and set its type to Passive (B). This will prevent objects from falling through the plane.
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Step 2 – Create More Objects
Create a couple of objects, like for example three cubes, a UV sphere and a cone. Position them arbitrarily above the plane. Then select one of the cubes (A) and add a RigidBody to it (B). Set its type to Active.
Step 3 – Play the Animation
As you now play the animation, the cube with the RigidBody will land on the plane. The other objects will stay intact.
Step 4 – Copy Rigid Body
Now suppose we want the other cubes to also have the RigidBody and behave like the first cube. We can either add the physics settings to each of them individually, which shouldn’t be a problem here because there are only two of them, but which would quickly become a problem if there were more. So, what we can do is just copy the RigidBody settings.
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To do it, first select the two cubes to which you want to copy the rigid body (A). Then select the cube which already has the rigid body (B). This last cube will become the active object, which you can tell by the color of its outline.
Then go to Object -> Rigid Body -> Copy from Active (C).
Step 5 – Play the Animation Again
If you now play the animation, all three cubes will fall down. Now they all have their own rigid bodies.
Step 6 – Copy Rigid Body to Other Meshes
Finally let’s copy the settings to all meshes except the plane. First deselect all. To select all meshes, you can go to Select -> Select All by Type… -> Mesh.
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Step 7 – Select Active Object
Now that all the meshes have been selected, we must deselect the plane. Then, holding down the Shift key, select one of the objects that has the rigid body to make it the active object.
Step 8 – Play the Final Animation
Now copy the rigid body from active like before and play the animation. Now all objects fall down.
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