Fixes tutorials on rigid objects and articulations (#280)

# Description

This MR simplifies the current tutorials on rigid objects and
articulations. It introduces the rigid object first as that is a simpler
example. The articulation builds on top of that tutorial to explain the
joints-related details.

## Type of change

- This change requires a documentation update

## Checklist

- [x] I have run the [`pre-commit` checks](https://pre-commit.com/) with
`./orbit.sh --format`
- [x] I have made corresponding changes to the documentation
- [x] My changes generate no new warnings
- [ ] I have added tests that prove my fix is effective or that my
feature works
- [ ] I have updated the changelog and the corresponding version in the
extension's `config/extension.toml` file
- [x] I have added my name to the `CONTRIBUTORS.md` or my name already
exists there

docs/source/features/actuators.rst

-.. _actuators-guide:
+.. _feature-actuators:
+
+
 Actuators
 =========
 

docs/source/how_to_guides/01_assets/cartpole.rst

+.. _how-to-create-articulation-config:
+
 Creating an Articulation
 ========================
 
@@ -127,7 +129,7 @@ Defining the Cartpole's Actuators
 
 The cartpole articulation has two actuators, one corresponding to each joint
 ``cart_to_pole`` and ``slider_to_cart``. for more details on actuators, see
-:ref:`actuators-guide`.
+:ref:`feature-actuators`.
 
 .. literalinclude:: ../../../../source/extensions/omni.isaac.orbit/omni/isaac/orbit/assets/config/cartpole.py
    :language: python

docs/source/tutorials/00_sim/empty.rst

-Create an empty scene
-=====================
+Creating an empty scene
+=======================
 
 .. currentmodule:: omni.isaac.orbit
 

docs/source/tutorials/00_sim/prims.rst

-.. _how_to_spawn_objects_label:
+.. _tutorial-spawn-prims:
 
-Spawn prims into the scene
-==========================
+
+Spawning prims into the scene
+=============================
 
 .. currentmodule:: omni.isaac.orbit
 
@@ -16,11 +17,12 @@ The Code
 The tutorial corresponds to the ``prims.py`` script in the ``orbit/source/standalone/tutorials/00_sim`` directory.
 Let's take a look at the Python script:
 
-.. dropdown:: :fa:`eye,mr-1` Code for `prims.py`
+.. dropdown:: Code for prims.py
+   :icon: code
 
    .. literalinclude:: ../../../../source/standalone/tutorials/00_sim/prims.py
       :language: python
-      :emphasize-lines: 43-79
+      :emphasize-lines: 43-82, 95
       :linenos:
 
 
@@ -135,7 +137,7 @@ default to the default values set by USD Physics.
 
 .. literalinclude:: ../../../../source/standalone/tutorials/00_sim/prims.py
    :language: python
-   :lines: 67-76
+   :lines: 67-78
    :linenos:
    :lineno-start: 67
 
@@ -149,9 +151,9 @@ All of this information is stored in its USD file.
 
 .. literalinclude:: ../../../../source/standalone/tutorials/00_sim/prims.py
    :language: python
-   :lines: 78-80
+   :lines: 80-82
    :linenos:
-   :lineno-start: 78
+   :lineno-start: 80
 
 The table above is added as a reference to the scene. In layman terms, this means that the table is not actually added
 to the scene, but a `pointer` to the table asset is added. This allows us to modify the table asset and have the changes

source/standalone/demos/arms.py

@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ def design_scene() -> tuple[dict, list[list[float]]]:
 
 
 def run_simulator(sim: sim_utils.SimulationContext, entities: dict[str, Articulation], origins: torch.Tensor):
-    """Runs the simulator by applying actions to the robot at every time-step"""
+    """Runs the simulation loop."""
     # Define simulation stepping
     sim_dt = sim.get_physics_dt()
     sim_time = 0.0

source/standalone/demos/markers.py

@@ -93,8 +93,7 @@ def spawn_markers():
 
 
 def main():
-    """Spawns lights in the stage and sets the camera view."""
-
+    """Main function."""
     # Load kit helper
     sim = SimulationContext(sim_utils.SimulationCfg(dt=0.01, substeps=1))
     # Set main camera

source/standalone/demos/quadrupeds.py

@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ def design_scene() -> tuple[dict, list[list[float]]]:
 
 
 def run_simulator(sim: sim_utils.SimulationContext, entities: dict[str, Articulation], origins: torch.Tensor):
-    """Runs the simulator by applying actions to the robot at every time-step"""
+    """Runs the simulation loop."""
     # Define simulation stepping
     sim_dt = sim.get_physics_dt()
     sim_time = 0.0

source/standalone/tutorials/01_assets/articulation.py

@@ -3,7 +3,13 @@
 #
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
 
-"""This script demonstrates how to define and spawn a Cartpole Articulation
+"""This script demonstrates how to spawn a cart-pole and interact with it.
+
+.. code-block:: bash
+
+    # Usage
+    ./orbit.sh -p source/standalone/tutorials/01_assets/articulation.py
+
 """
 
 from __future__ import annotations
@@ -16,9 +22,7 @@ import argparse
 from omni.isaac.orbit.app import AppLauncher
 
 # add argparse arguments
-parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(
-    description="This script demonstrates how to define and spawn a Cartpole Articulation."
-)
+parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description="This script demonstrates how to spawn and interact with an articulation.")
 # append AppLauncher cli args
 AppLauncher.add_app_launcher_args(parser)
 # parse the arguments
@@ -28,6 +32,8 @@ args_cli = parser.parse_args()
 app_launcher = AppLauncher(args_cli)
 simulation_app = app_launcher.app
 
+"""Rest everything follows."""
+
 import torch
 import traceback
 
@@ -46,17 +52,21 @@ def design_scene() -> tuple[dict, list[list[float]]]:
     cfg = sim_utils.GroundPlaneCfg()
     cfg.func("/World/defaultGroundPlane", cfg)
     # Lights
-    cfg = sim_utils.DistantLightCfg(intensity=3000.0, color=(0.75, 0.75, 0.75))
+    cfg = sim_utils.DomeLightCfg(intensity=3000.0, color=(0.75, 0.75, 0.75))
     cfg.func("/World/Light", cfg)
 
     # Create separate groups called "Origin1", "Origin2", "Origin3"
-    # Each group will have a mount and a robot on top of it
-    origins = [[0.0, 1.0, 0.0]]
-
-    # Origin 1 with Cartpole
-    prim_utils.create_prim("/World/Origin", "Xform", translation=origins[0])
-    # -- Articulation
-    cartpole = Articulation(cfg=CARTPOLE_CFG.replace(prim_path="/World/Robot"))
+    # Each group will have a robot in it
+    origins = [[0.0, 0.0, 0.0], [-1.0, 0.0, 0.0]]
+    # Origin 1
+    prim_utils.create_prim("/World/Origin1", "Xform", translation=origins[0])
+    # Origin 2
+    prim_utils.create_prim("/World/Origin2", "Xform", translation=origins[1])
+
+    # Articulation
+    cartpole_cfg = CARTPOLE_CFG.copy()
+    cartpole_cfg.prim_path = "/World/Origin.*/Robot"
+    cartpole = Articulation(cfg=cartpole_cfg)
 
     # return the scene information
     scene_entities = {"cartpole": cartpole}
@@ -64,7 +74,11 @@ def design_scene() -> tuple[dict, list[list[float]]]:
 
 
 def run_simulator(sim: sim_utils.SimulationContext, entities: dict[str, Articulation], origins: torch.Tensor):
-    """Runs the simulator by applying actions to the articulation at every time-step"""
+    """Runs the simulation loop."""
+    # Extract scene entities
+    # note: we only do this here for readability. In general, it is better to access the entities directly from
+    #   the dictionary. This dictionary is replaced by the InteractiveScene class in the next tutorial.
+    robot = entities["cartpole"]
     # Define simulation stepping
     sim_dt = sim.get_physics_dt()
     count = 0
@@ -75,12 +89,11 @@ def run_simulator(sim: sim_utils.SimulationContext, entities: dict[str, Articula
             # reset counter
             count = 0
             # reset the scene entities
-            for index, robot in enumerate(entities.values()):
             # root state
             # we offset the root state by the origin since the states are written in simulation world frame
             # if this is not done, then the robots will be spawned at the (0, 0, 0) of the simulation world
             root_state = robot.data.default_root_state.clone()
-                root_state[:, :3] += origins[index]
+            root_state[:, :3] += origins
             robot.write_root_state_to_sim(root_state)
             # set joint positions with some noise
             joint_pos, joint_vel = robot.data.default_joint_pos.clone(), robot.data.default_joint_vel.clone()
@@ -90,28 +103,27 @@ def run_simulator(sim: sim_utils.SimulationContext, entities: dict[str, Articula
             robot.reset()
             print("[INFO]: Resetting robot state...")
         # Apply random action
-        for robot in entities.values():
-            # generate random joint efforts
+        # -- generate random joint efforts
         efforts = torch.randn_like(robot.data.joint_pos) * 5.0
-            # apply action to the robot
+        # -- apply action to the robot
         robot.set_joint_effort_target(efforts)
-            # write data to sim
+        # -- write data to sim
         robot.write_data_to_sim()
         # Perform step
         sim.step()
         # Increment counter
         count += 1
         # Update buffers
-        for robot in entities.values():
         robot.update(sim_dt)
 
 
 def main():
+    """Main function."""
     # Load kit helper
     sim_cfg = sim_utils.SimulationCfg(device="cpu", use_gpu_pipeline=False)
     sim = SimulationContext(sim_cfg)
     # Set main camera
-    sim.set_camera_view([2.5, 1.0, 4.0], [0.0, 1.0, 2.0])
+    sim.set_camera_view([2.5, 0.0, 4.0], [0.0, 0.0, 2.0])
     # Design scene
     scene_entities, scene_origins = design_scene()
     scene_origins = torch.tensor(scene_origins, device=sim.device)

source/standalone/tutorials/01_assets/rigid_object.py

@@ -39,12 +39,12 @@ import torch
 import traceback
 
 import carb
+import omni.isaac.core.utils.prims as prim_utils
 
 import omni.isaac.orbit.sim as sim_utils
+import omni.isaac.orbit.utils.math as math_utils
 from omni.isaac.orbit.assets import RigidObject, RigidObjectCfg
 from omni.isaac.orbit.sim import SimulationContext
-from omni.isaac.orbit.utils.assets import ISAAC_NUCLEUS_DIR
-from omni.isaac.orbit.utils.math import quat_mul, random_yaw_orientation, sample_cylinder
 
 
 def design_scene():
@@ -53,35 +53,41 @@ def design_scene():
     cfg = sim_utils.GroundPlaneCfg()
     cfg.func("/World/defaultGroundPlane", cfg)
     # Lights
-    cfg = sim_utils.DistantLightCfg(intensity=3000.0, color=(0.75, 0.75, 0.75))
+    cfg = sim_utils.DomeLightCfg(intensity=2000.0, color=(0.8, 0.8, 0.8))
     cfg.func("/World/Light", cfg)
-    # add rigid objects and return them
-    return add_rigid_objects()
 
+    # Create separate groups called "Origin1", "Origin2", "Origin3"
+    # Each group will have a robot in it
+    origins = [[0.25, 0.25, 0.0], [-0.25, 0.25, 0.0], [0.25, -0.25, 0.0], [-0.25, -0.25, 0.0]]
+    for i, origin in enumerate(origins):
+        prim_utils.create_prim(f"/World/Origin{i}", "Xform", translation=origin)
+
+    # Rigid Object
+    cone_cfg = RigidObjectCfg(
+        prim_path="/World/Origin.*/Cone",
+        spawn=sim_utils.ConeCfg(
+            radius=0.1,
+            height=0.2,
+            rigid_props=sim_utils.RigidBodyPropertiesCfg(),
+            mass_props=sim_utils.MassPropertiesCfg(mass=1.0),
+            collision_props=sim_utils.CollisionPropertiesCfg(),
+            visual_material=sim_utils.PreviewSurfaceCfg(diffuse_color=(0.0, 1.0, 0.0), metallic=0.2),
+        ),
+        init_state=RigidObjectCfg.InitialStateCfg(),
+    )
+    cone_object = RigidObject(cfg=cone_cfg)
 
-def add_rigid_objects():
-    """Adds rigid objects to the scene."""
-    # add YCB objects
-    ycb_usd_paths = {
-        "crackerBox": f"{ISAAC_NUCLEUS_DIR}/Props/YCB/Axis_Aligned_Physics/003_cracker_box.usd",
-        "sugarBox": f"{ISAAC_NUCLEUS_DIR}/Props/YCB/Axis_Aligned_Physics/004_sugar_box.usd",
-        "tomatoSoupCan": f"{ISAAC_NUCLEUS_DIR}/Props/YCB/Axis_Aligned_Physics/005_tomato_soup_can.usd",
-        "mustardBottle": f"{ISAAC_NUCLEUS_DIR}/Props/YCB/Axis_Aligned_Physics/006_mustard_bottle.usd",
-    }
-    for key, usd_path in ycb_usd_paths.items():
-        translation = torch.rand(3).tolist()
-        cfg = sim_utils.UsdFileCfg(usd_path=usd_path)
-        cfg.func(f"/World/Objects/{key}", cfg, translation=translation)
-
-    # Setup rigid object
-    cfg = RigidObjectCfg(prim_path="/World/Objects/.*")
-    # Create rigid object handler
-    rigid_object = RigidObject(cfg)
-
-    return rigid_object
+    # return the scene information
+    scene_entities = {"cone": cone_object}
+    return scene_entities, origins
 
 
-def run_simulator(sim: sim_utils.SimulationContext, rigid_object: RigidObject):
+def run_simulator(sim: sim_utils.SimulationContext, entities: dict[str, RigidObject], origins: torch.Tensor):
+    """Runs the simulation loop."""
+    # Extract scene entities
+    # note: we only do this here for readability. In general, it is better to access the entities directly from
+    #   the dictionary. This dictionary is replaced by the InteractiveScene class in the next tutorial.
+    cone_object = entities["cone"]
     # Define simulation stepping
     sim_dt = sim.get_physics_dt()
     sim_time = 0.0
@@ -94,45 +100,48 @@ def run_simulator(sim: sim_utils.SimulationContext, rigid_object: RigidObject):
             sim_time = 0.0
             count = 0
             # reset root state
-            root_state = rigid_object.data.default_root_state.clone()
-            # -- position
-            root_state[:, :3] = sample_cylinder(
-                radius=0.5, h_range=(0.15, 0.25), size=rigid_object.num_instances, device=rigid_object.device
-            )
-            # -- orientation: apply yaw rotation
-            root_state[:, 3:7] = quat_mul(
-                random_yaw_orientation(rigid_object.num_instances, rigid_object.device), root_state[:, 3:7]
+            root_state = cone_object.data.default_root_state.clone()
+            # sample a random position on a cylinder around the origins
+            root_state[:, :3] += origins
+            root_state[:, :3] += math_utils.sample_cylinder(
+                radius=0.1, h_range=(0.25, 0.5), size=cone_object.num_instances, device=cone_object.device
             )
-            # -- set root state
-            rigid_object.write_root_state_to_sim(root_state)
+            # write root state to simulation
+            cone_object.write_root_state_to_sim(root_state)
             # reset buffers
-            rigid_object.reset()
-            print(">>>>>>>> Reset!")
+            cone_object.reset()
+            print("----------------------------------------")
+            print("[INFO]: Resetting object state...")
         # apply sim data
-        rigid_object.write_data_to_sim()
+        cone_object.write_data_to_sim()
         # perform step
         sim.step()
         # update sim-time
         sim_time += sim_dt
         count += 1
         # update buffers
-        rigid_object.update(sim_dt)
+        cone_object.update(sim_dt)
+        # print the root position
+        if count % 50 == 0:
+            print(f"Root position (in world): {cone_object.data.root_state_w[:, :3]}")
 
 
 def main():
     """Main function."""
     # Load kit helper
-    sim = SimulationContext(sim_utils.SimulationCfg())
+    sim_cfg = sim_utils.SimulationCfg()
+    sim = SimulationContext(sim_cfg)
     # Set main camera
-    sim.set_camera_view(eye=[1.5, 1.5, 1.5], target=[0.0, 0.0, 0.0])
-    # design scene
-    rigid_object = design_scene()
+    sim.set_camera_view(eye=[1.5, 0.0, 1.0], target=[0.0, 0.0, 0.0])
+    # Design scene
+    scene_entities, scene_origins = design_scene()
+    scene_origins = torch.tensor(scene_origins, device=sim.device)
     # Play the simulator
     sim.reset()
     # Now we are ready!
     print("[INFO]: Setup complete...")
     # Run the simulator
-    run_simulator(sim, rigid_object)
+    run_simulator(sim, scene_entities, scene_origins)
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":