Which Box2D JavaScript library should I use?
JavascriptBox2dJavascript Problem Overview
There are a few different ports of Box2D for JavaScript. Which one is the best?
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Box2DJS - "converted from Box2DFlashAS3_1.4.3.1 in an automatic manner"
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Box2Dflash 2.0 ported to JavaScript - "one big nasty hack that just happens to work"
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box2dweb - "a port of Box2DFlash 2.1a to JavaScript. I developed an ActionScript 3 -to- JavaScript converter to generate the code"
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HBehrens/box2d.js - "a JavaScript Version of Box2D 2.1a" (Added Nov 21, 2011)
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kripken/box2d.js - "a direct port of the Box2D 2D physics engine to JavaScript, using Emscripten" (Added Sep 24, 2013)
Any ideas which version http://chrome.angrybirds.com/ uses, if any?
Javascript Solutions
Solution 1 - Javascript
> Note to readers! > > This question was originally asked and answered in 2011, but I'll do my best to keep it up to date!
Here's what I've found:
- kripken/box2d.js is a port of Box2D using Emscripten and works well and is fast. I have used this personally with great success.
- planck.js is the newest port and is written from the ground-up in JavaScript
- Box2DJS is a port of Box2DFlash 1.4.3.1. box2dweb is a port of version 2.1a.
- Box2DJS works "as a CommonJS module without any modifications at all" [1]
- Box2DJS "not up-to-date and you have to import a big amount of JavaScript files in every project" [2]
- box2dweb is contained in a single file [2]
- box2dweb is "a much newer port and has a lot fewer issues" than Box2DJS [3]. However, switching might introduce new issues [4].
- Box2DJS depends on Prototype but box2dweb does not [5]
- Seth Ladd has promoted box2dweb with examples on his blog [6]
- Nobody seems to be using the third alternative.
- There are also physics simulators not based on Box2D. Check out Matter.js and p2.js
There's also a similar discussion on gamedev.stackexchange.com.
I'd say that the winner is kripken/box2d.js.
Solution 2 - Javascript
This question and its best answer are from 2011. One recent new option is box2.js, an Emscripten translation of the C++ code to Javascript. As of August 2013 it's more up-to-date than the other ports I've found, and the demos seem to work.
Solution 3 - Javascript
LiquidFun (With JS Bindings)
LiquidFun is, at the time I'm posting this, the most recent port to JS. It has all the features of Box2D and liquid physics features. It's ported using emscripten, so performance is decent.
Solution 4 - Javascript
Probably the best place to keep up to date with Box2D JavaScript ports is the official forum: http://box2d.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=22
JSBox2D looks like a good start.
I would definitely have a look into Matter.js, which seems very well built and very quick. I'm going down this path. http://brm.io/matter-js
Solution 5 - Javascript
Box2d-html5 is also another box2d port including Google's LiquidFun) and active update.
- https://code.google.com/p/box2d-html5/
- Now maintained at github: https://github.com/flyover/box2d.js
Solution 6 - Javascript
Box2DWeb supports most of the API from the original C++ Box2D except chain shapes. :/
It is the most widely used Javascript Box2D. If you need the API documentation for Box2DWeb, check out Box2DFlash. http://www.box2dflash.org/docs/2.1a/reference/
Box2DWeb is auto generated from Box2DFlash using a compiler. So the API is the same.
I doubt Box2DWeb will get any update in the future anymore as Box2DFlash has shown no activities anymore. You can see the author's rational on why he decided not to write a direct Box2D --> Box2DWeb port.