Creating a Series-Connected Chain

A constrained rigid body that targets another physics object can also be a target of other rigid bodies as well. In this situation, you are able to create chain-like rigid body groups and allow each element in the group to animate respectively according to the constraint settings that are applied to it.

In the following example, a cylinder is applied to create the power of rolling, and the chained pieces of the roller blind will pulled and roll up around the cylinder.

1. Apply a cylinder and transform it to an appropriate shape.
   
2. Set it as Kinematic rigid body. It will be controlled to produce the rolling power of the roller blind.
3. Apply a box and transform it to a long board; move it under the cylinder.
   
4. Set the board as Dynamic rigid body.
5. Because the Dynamic rigid body will fall by default, you need to constraint it and nail it to the kinematic object.
   In the Modify panel >> Physics tab >> Constraint section, click the Add Constraint button.
   
   The Add Constraint panel displays.
   
6. Drag and drop the Hinge template onto the dynamic rigid body.
   
7. Make sure the constraint is selected.
8. In the Modify >> Constraint section, click the Pick Target button and pick the cylinder so that the board is constrained to the cylinder. Please refer to the Setting Connection Relationship section for more information.
   
9. Set the Min and Max values of the X Axis in the limit section in accordance with the angle limit for the rotation of the board.
   
10. Utilize the Multi-Duplicate feature to create several identical boards with identical settings.
    

    Each duplicated board is initially pick the cylinder as the target.

11. Select the second board and change its target from the cylinder to the board right above it.

    Each duplicated board should not be constrained with the cylinder as the target.	Change the target to the board right above it.

12. Repeat the last step for each board until its target is the one above it.
13. Set rotation keys or puppet the cylinder to produce a rolling force.
14. Play to simulate.

    The roller blind rolls up.