<!--
{
  "availability" : [
    "iOS: 8.0.0 - 26.0.0",
    "iPadOS: 8.0.0 - 26.0.0",
    "macCatalyst: 13.1.0 - 26.0.0",
    "macOS: 10.8.0 - 26.0.0",
    "tvOS: 9.0.0 - 26.0.0",
    "visionOS: 1.0.0 - 26.0.0",
    "watchOS: 3.0.0 - 26.0.0"
  ],
  "documentType" : "symbol",
  "framework" : "SceneKit",
  "identifier" : "/documentation/SceneKit/SCNPhysicsField/direction",
  "metadataVersion" : "0.1.0",
  "role" : "Instance Property",
  "symbol" : {
    "kind" : "Instance Property",
    "modules" : [
      "SceneKit"
    ],
    "preciseIdentifier" : "c:objc(cs)SCNPhysicsField(py)direction"
  },
  "title" : "direction"
}
-->

# direction

The field’s directional axis.

```
var direction: SCNVector3 { get set }
```

## Discussion

Some types of fields apply forces whose direction or magnitude is relative to an axis. (For details on each type of field, see the methods listed in Creating Physics Fields.) Changing the direction changes the effects of these field types.

The default direction is the vector `{0, -1, 0}`. With this direction, for example, linear gravity fields whose strength is positive cause objects to fall in the “down” direction of scene space.

---

Copyright &copy; 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)