Evaluating Manual Kinematics and Unity’s Built-in Physics for Real-Time Ballistic Simulations: A Comparative Study

Analisis Komparatif Pendekatan Fisika Kustom dan Rigidbody di Unity Engine untuk Simulasi Balistik

Abstract

Real-world ballistic testing is often constrained by high costs, time requirements, and safety risks. Modern game engines, such as Unity, offer a cost-effective alternative for simulating projectile motion. This study compares two physics approaches in Unity—manual kinematics and the built-in Rigidbody system—to assess their effectiveness in modeling projectile trajectories. We evaluate their accuracy by comparing simulated paths to an ideal ballistic model and measure computational efficiency through execution time and frame rate (frames per second, FPS). Experimental outcomes indicate that manual kinematics yields higher fidelity to theoretical physics, while the built-in Rigidbody method facilitates scalability and reduces implementation complexity for large simulations. By mitigating the need for potentially hazardous field tests, this research provides practical guidance for academics and industry professionals seeking to optimize real-time ballistic simulations and broadens the scope of virtual experimentation.

Keywords : simulation, physics, Unity, manual kinematics, Rigidbody.