Sony’s PS3-optimised physics SDK

[wraggster]

Sony has pulled the curtain back on its physics effects SDK.
At CEDEC 2009, Sony offered a playable demo of its physics simulation engine, which comes as part of the PS3 SDK, according to a diginfo.tv report.
A video of the physics engine can be found below.
Crucially, the physics engine is optimised for the PlayStation 3’s renowned cell microprocessor.
Hiroshi Matsuike, of SCE’s software platform development department, stated that basing the physics engine of the cell microprocessor meant that calculations could be achieved rapidly.

“[The PS3 Physics Engine] is a library for replicating a variety of physical phenomena, including simulations of rigid and soft objects and fluids, on the PS3,” he said.
The demonstration, which you can see in the video below, simulated the physical properties of a rope by attaching together a string of small solid objects. It then moved on to rag-doll simulation, as well as a mock-up of interlocked gears
Cell was jointly developed by Sony Computer Entertainment, Toshiba, and IBM. The PlayStation 3 was the first commercial device to utilise the processor.

http://www.youtube.com/v/5xk6RM_YsM0

http://www.develop-online.net/news/32826/VIDEO-Sonys-PS3-optimised-physics-SDK

[feddon]

so is this a new addition to SDK or just a demo of whats been in there all along?

[Da_ALC]

Err, no. Sony did NOT part-develop the cell chip, they simply payed IBM a load of cash to allow them to put their name to it.
Since the release of the PS3 Sony have pulled all funding and "development" ties from the cell processor, as they have done what they wanted, which is to make people think that Sony actually did something when they made the PS3, rather than shitting in a plastic case.

[DCRich]

Actually, Sony, IBM and Toshiba jointly developed the chip, with IBM filing numerous patents during that process. Yes, Sony got what they wanted, and IBM got some patents. To say Sony did nothing is pretty ignorant, but whatever. Next, your going to tell me that the PS3 isn't a powerful system. While it's difficult to program for with regards to the multi-threading optimization needed to take full advantage of the system, it is a very powerful system, and those physics demos are amazing.

It's about time they made development easier.