Getting your roblox zero gravity script physics right is the difference between a clunky game and something that actually feels like you're floating through a void. Most people start their dev journey in Studio by just turning the workspace gravity to zero and calling it a day, but they quickly realize that things get weird fast. Parts start drifting into the infinite abyss, players can't move properly, and the whole game just feels "broken" rather than "weightless."
If you want to create a space simulator, a high-tech lab, or just a weird anti-gravity room, you need to understand how the engine handles forces. It's not just about turning off a switch; it's about managing momentum and making sure your objects don't behave like they're stuck in a vat of oil—unless that's what you're going for.
The Simplest Way to Kill Gravity
The absolute easiest way to mess with the physics is by going into the Workspace properties and setting Gravity to 0. It's a quick fix, but it's a global one. Every single thing in your game—every part, every player, every dropped item—will suddenly have no weight.
While this works for a quick test, it's usually not what you want for a real game. Imagine trying to walk through a space station where you can't even touch the floor because you've bumped your head once and now you're stuck on the ceiling. It's funny for about thirty seconds, then it's just frustrating. To make a playable game, you usually want localized zero gravity or a script that intelligently handles how players interact with the environment.
Scripting Anti-Gravity for Specific Parts
If you want a specific object to float while everything else behaves normally, you're looking at using forces. Back in the day, we used BodyForce, but nowadays, Roblox pushes us toward VectorForce. It's more modern, even if it feels a bit more complex at first.
The math behind a roblox zero gravity script physics setup is actually pretty basic: you just need to apply an upward force that exactly cancels out the object's weight. Since Weight = Mass × Gravity, your script needs to calculate that and apply it every frame (or once, if you're using a persistent force object).
Here's a quick logic breakdown: 1. Grab the mass of the part (using part:GetMass()). 2. Multiply it by the current workspace gravity. 3. Apply that number as a positive upward force.
When you do this, the part doesn't just fly away; it just sits there. If you poke it, it drifts. It feels "physics-y" and satisfying because it's still interacting with the world, it just doesn't care about the ground anymore.
Making Players Feel Weightless
Handling players is a whole different beast. Humanoids in Roblox are let's say "opinionated." They are designed to stand upright and walk on flat surfaces. When you take away gravity, the Humanoid state machine gets very confused. It thinks it's falling, so it triggers the "Falling" state, which disables a lot of player control.
To make a decent zero-G player experience, you usually have to do a few things: * Change the State: You might need to force the Humanoid into the "Physics" or "PlatformStanding" state so it doesn't try to auto-right itself. * Custom Movement: Since the "W" and "S" keys won't work like normal walking, you often have to script your own movement system using LinearVelocity or BodyVelocity to push the player in the direction the camera is facing. * The "Swim" Trick: A sneaky way some devs handle this is by creating a massive invisible block of water. Roblox already has "swimming" physics built-in, which feels a lot like zero gravity. By tweaking the buoyancy and density, you can trick the engine into giving you a decent space-movement feel without writing 500 lines of custom code.
Why Momentum is Your Best Friend
In a standard Roblox game, we rely on friction and gravity to stop things. You stop pressing "W," and you stop moving. In a roblox zero gravity script physics environment, that doesn't happen. If you've got no gravity, you likely have very little friction.
This is where things get fun. If you throw a crate, it should keep going until it hits a wall. This is governed by the Velocity property. If you're scripting this, you have to be careful about "damping." If there's absolutely no air resistance or friction, your game world will eventually become a chaotic mess of parts bouncing around at high speeds.
Adding a little bit of artificial "drag" in your script—slowly reducing the velocity of parts over time—makes the game feel much more controlled. It's not "realistic" in a vacuum, but it's much better for gameplay.
Using Attachments and Constraints
If you're moving away from the old BodyMover objects, you'll want to get cozy with AlignOrientation and AlignPosition. These are great for zero-G because they allow you to keep an object oriented "up" relative to the player's ship or station, even if there's no gravity to tell it which way is down.
For example, if you want a floating tool that follows the player but still drifts realistically, using an AlignPosition with a low "Responsiveness" setting works wonders. It gives that "tethered in space" look that you see in movies like Gravity or Interstellar.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
I've seen a lot of people struggle with their roblox zero gravity script physics because they forget about the "Massless" property. You'd think checking the "Massless" box on a part would make it float. Nope. Massless just means the part doesn't contribute to the total mass of the assembly it's attached to. If it's a lone part, it still has mass (defaulting to a minimum value), and it will still fall.
Another thing that trips people up is "Network Ownership." If you have a zero-G object that players are supposed to push around, and the physics feel laggy or stuttery, it's probably because the server is trying to calculate the movement while the player is interacting with it. Using part:SetNetworkOwner(player) when someone gets close to an object makes the physics feel buttery smooth because the player's own computer handles the math.
Wrapping Things Up
Mastering roblox zero gravity script physics isn't just about one specific line of code; it's about understanding how to manipulate forces to create an atmosphere. Whether you're using a simple workspace toggle for a chaotic "falling" map or a complex system of VectorForces for a realistic orbital station, the key is balance.
Don't be afraid to experiment with the CustomPhysicalProperties of your parts, too. Lowering the friction and increasing the elasticity (bounciness) can make a zero-G room feel way more immersive. Just keep an eye on your parts—if you don't put walls up, they'll be halfway across the digital galaxy before you can say "Houston, we have a problem."
At the end of the day, the best way to learn is to just open a blank baseplate, set a script to loop through the parts and apply an anti-gravity force, and see what happens when you start bumping into things. It's honestly some of the most fun you can have in Studio.