# Run 2D physics in 3D space with 2D Physics Core

> Create a 2D physics world at any angle in 3D space, instead of the traditional x, y plane that faces the camera.

Create a 2D physics world at any angle in 3D space, instead of the traditional x, y plane that faces the camera. This allows you to use 2D physics in a 3D game.

> **Note:**
>
> This documentation is about using Pose, Area, and Constraint components. To use 2D physics in the Unity Editor using components like the Rigidbody 2D component, refer to [2D physics](/engine/6000.7/manual/unity2d/2d-physics.md.md) instead.

To run 2D physics in 3D space, follow these steps:

1. [Create a physics world](/engine/6000.7/manual/unity2d/2d-physics-api/worlds/world.md).
2. In the Editor window of the Physics Simulation Definition asset, set **Transform Plane** to **XZ**, **ZY**, or **Custom**.

The options are:

* **XY** means the x-axis remains horizontal and the y-axis remains vertical, so that the world faces the camera in 3D space. This is the default.
* **XZ** means the x-axis remains horizontal but the y-axis becomes depth, so that the world lies flat in 3D space.
* **ZY** means the x-axis becomes depth but the y-axis remains vertical, so that the world stands upright in 3D space.
* **Custom** means Unity uses the plane you define.

The physics system continues to use 2D `Vector2` coordinates and vectors, but Unity converts the final positions to 3D space.

To convert coordinates manually between 2D `Vector2` and 3D `Vector3` types, use the helper methods in the [`PhysicsMath`](/engine/6000.7/script-reference/unity/u2d/physics/physicsmath.md) API.

## Additional resources

* [Physics Simulation Definition asset reference](/engine/6000.7/manual/unity2d/2d-physics-api/worlds/reference-world.md)
* [Create multiple simulation worlds with 2D Physics Core](/engine/6000.7/manual/unity2d/2d-physics-api/worlds/world.md)
* [Creating multiple simulation worlds with 2D Physics Core](/engine/6000.7/manual/unity2d/2d-physics-api/worlds.md)
* [PhysicsCore2D repository](https://github.com/Unity-Technologies/PhysicsExamples2D/tree/master) on GitHub