Wheel Controller 3D

About Wheel Controller 3D – Unity Editor Tool & Plugin

Unity Wheel Controller and Vehicle Physics

Wheel Controller 3D is an alternative to Unity's built-in WheelCollider for vehicle wheel simulation, with 3D ground detection and configurable wheel behavior. It combines the WheelUAPI-standardized API with runtime-adjustable spring, damper, friction, and geometry settings, plus support for camber, caster, tire wear, and surface-specific friction.

Wheel Physics Features

The controller uses a Pacejka friction model and includes a friction preset system for adjusting friction characteristics across different surfaces. Wheel rotation, camber, and caster can be configured, while tire wear simulation provides a separate mechanism for representing changing tire conditions.

Wheel properties can be adjusted at runtime, including spring, damper, friction, and geometry. The custom inspector provides configuration controls in the Unity Editor, and full C# source code is included for projects that require direct source-level customization.

Ground Detection and Vehicle Types

3D ground detection is a core part of the wheel system, providing the basis for wheel interaction with the environment. The controller is suitable for different vehicle types, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, and tanks.

WheelUAPI provides a standardized API for the controller, while the system is also designed for mobile use. Its stated CPU cost is around 0.006ms per wheel per physics update on a desktop CPU.

Render Pipeline Compatibility

For Unity 6000.0.80f1, Wheel Controller 3D is compatible with the Universal Render Pipeline (URP) and High Definition Render Pipeline (HDRP), but is not compatible with the Built-in Render Pipeline.

Use Cases

• Vehicle projects replacing Unity's built-in WheelCollider with a wheel system that provides 3D ground detection and customizable wheel behavior.
• Cars, trucks, motorcycles, and tanks where adjustable friction, suspension-related parameters, and wheel geometry are needed.
• Vehicle simulations requiring camber, caster, tire wear, or different friction characteristics for different surfaces.
• Mobile vehicle projects where the stated per-wheel CPU cost is relevant to the physics setup.

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