Skip to main content

Create a lab

Goal: add the experiment to your scene, with the charges and the scan path you want.

Steps​

  1. Open your lesson scene, then ALF > Physics > Electric Field Setup.

    ALF menu with Physics > Electric Field Setup highlighted

  2. In step 1 Lab, press Create lab in active scene. This adds the lab, its controls and its graph. The rest of your scene stays as it is.

  3. Still in step 1 Lab, set the Lab world position (m). Preview lab placement shows it in a separate preview.

    Electric Field Setup, step 1 Lab

  4. In step 2 Charges, set up the charges:

    • Source to edit: pick a charge. Add source adds one (up to four), Remove selected source removes it.
    • Position relative to lab (m): where the charge floats.
    • Signed charge (nC): positive or negative, for example 5 or -5.
    • Excluded reading radius (m): the small sphere around the charge where no reading is shown.
    • Initial probe position (m): where the test probe starts.

    Moved a charge in the Scene view? Use the source's current scene position copies its position into the window.

    Electric Field Setup, step 2 Charges

  5. In step 3 Field, set where arrows and lines are drawn:

    • Display center relative to lab (m) and Display size (m): the box around the charges.
    • Samples per axis: how many arrows are drawn per direction.
    • Maximum field lines: how many field lines.

    More arrows and lines look denser, but cost performance in the headset. Keep the defaults unless you have a reason.

  6. In step 4 Scan, set Scan start and Scan end relative to lab (m): the straight path the probe follows when learners press Start scan. Keep the path outside every charge's excluded sphere.

  7. Optional: step 5 Lesson. See Add the guided lesson.

  8. In step 6 Save, press Apply lab settings, then save the scene with Ctrl+S.

  9. Press Play to try it.

Good to know​

  • Keep the lab upright and at its normal size. Don't tilt or scale it, so distances stay in real metres.
  • Moved the lab? Press Apply lab settings again.
  • Find lab in scene in step 1 selects it in the scene.
  • A warning at the bottom of the window tells you if a setting doesn't fit. Apply lab settings stays greyed out until it's fixed.
  • The guided lesson needs at least two charges, for its like-charge and dipole steps.
  • The tool doesn't work in Play mode. Stop Play mode first.