Build Mode Role
This group is about objects that the player can use while assembling a solution. It separates level-authored scene objects from pieces that belong to the player-built machine.
Object Game Settings
Builder Settings
Builder Settings define how an object participates in Build To Solve levels and player-created machines.
What it controls
What this group controls
Use this page as the detailed reference for the Builder Settings group inside the Object Game Settings menu.
Solution Ownership
Only user-owned solution objects should count as player construction. That ownership matters for budget checks, duplication, removal, and final validation.
Budget Relationship
Build settings work together with the level budget. The object price, scale, body type, and joint choices can make a solution cheap or expensive.
Create Mode Flow
The player places, duplicates, rotates, scales, and connects objects before running the level, then returns to create mode to refine the machine.
How it works
How it behaves during play
These points describe what the system does after the level starts and the editor data becomes live gameplay behavior.
Before Play Starts
The machine is assembled in create mode. The editor keeps the placed objects selectable so the player can tune position, rotation, scale, physics, joints, and game settings.
When Solve Mode Starts
The built machine is converted into active physics objects. Static, dynamic, kinematic, jointed, and triggered pieces begin interacting with the level objective.
Cost Validation
If the total solution cost is above the level budget, the player needs to simplify the machine before the solution is accepted.
Design Use
Use this mode for puzzle levels where the fun comes from building a mechanism, not from only touching prebuilt objects.
Setup flow
Practical setup checklist
Use this checklist while building or debugging a level that uses Builder Settings.
Pick The Allowed Parts
Choose which objects the player can reasonably use to solve the level and avoid giving unnecessary pieces that confuse the construction space.
Tune Prices
Expensive powerful objects should cost more. Cheap simple objects should invite experimentation without breaking the level.
Check Joints
If the solution needs motors, pins, distance joints, or welds, test how their extra cost affects the budget.
Test Cheap Solutions
Try solving the level under budget with the simplest machine possible so the target budget feels fair.
Connected systems
Related game setting groups
Most Ancient Machines behavior comes from combining several settings groups together.
Connection Settings
Connection Settings control how the selected object can connect to joints, chips, and other machine systems.
Physics Properties Settings
Physics Properties Settings expose gameplay-facing physics modifiers for selected objects.
Time Settings
Time Settings control delayed creation, repeated intervals, restore delays, and other time-based object behavior.