Create a ragdoll

You can create a skinned meshThe main graphics primitive of Unity. Meshes make up a large part of your 3D worlds. Unity supports triangulated or Quadrangulated polygon meshes. Nurbs, Nurms, Subdiv surfaces must be converted to polygons. More info
See in Glossary character and rig it up with bones in a 3D modeling application.

Unity can then generate all collidersAn invisible shape that is used to handle physical collisions for an object. A collider doesn’t need to be exactly the same shape as the object’s mesh - a rough approximation is often more efficient and indistinguishable in gameplay. More info
See in Glossary, rigidbodyA component that allows a GameObject to be affected by simulated gravity and other forces. More info
See in Glossary components, and joints that make up a ragdoll from your skinned mesh character.

1. Create and rig a skinned mesh character in your 3D modeling application.

2. Save the skinned mesh character in your project folder.

3. Launch Unity, and select the skinned mesh file. The Import Settings dialog appears in the InspectorA Unity window that displays information about the currently selected GameObject, asset or project settings, allowing you to inspect and edit the values. More info
   See in Glossary window. If needed, disable Generate Colliders in the Import Settings dialog.

4. Create an instance of the character by dragging it from the ProjectIn Unity, you use a project to design and develop a game. A project stores all of the files that are related to a game, such as the asset and Scene files. More info
   See in Glossary window to the Hierarchy window..

5. Select GameObject > 3D Object > Ragdoll… from the menu bar.

6. Drag the different limbs of your character instance from the Hierarchy window to the matching wizard area and create your ragdoll. The inspector displays the following components:

   • Skinned mesh renderer
   • Box collider
   • Rigidbody

   You can check how your ragdoll moves in play mode.

7. To save the ragdoll as a prefab, select Assets -> Create -> Prefab from the menu bar.

8. Drag the ragdoll character instance from the Hierarchy on top of the ragdoll prefabAn asset type that allows you to store a GameObject complete with components and properties. The prefab acts as a template from which you can create new object instances in the scene. More info
   See in Glossary.

You can now reuse your ragdoll character prefab in your project.

For character jointsAn extended ball-socket joint which allows a joint to be limited on each axis. Mainly used for Ragdoll effects. More info
See in Glossary made with the Ragdoll wizard, the following naming scheme applies:

Additional resources

• JointsA physics component allowing a dynamic connection between Rigidbody components, usually allowing some degree of movement such as a hinge. More info
  See in Glossary
• Character Joint component reference