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3D
Basics
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| 3D
Basics This section introduces basic 3D concepts and explains how they relate to PiXELS3D. If you are already familiar with the concepts and terminology common to 3D computer graphics, you can safely skip this section. Cartesian Space The hardest concept for a first time user of 3D computer software to understand, is the notion of working within a virtual three-dimensional space. This problem is augmented by the fact that your input device (a mouse) is limited to two-dimensional movement. That is, it cannot report how high off the table it is, it can only report left to right and top to bottom values. Furthermore, the computer screen is merely a two-dimensional interface to this virtual three-dimensional space. PiXELS3D uses a mathematical representation of space known as the Cartesian coordinate system to represent your 3D scene and then project it onto your monitor’s 2D screen. (The term “Cartesian” is used in honor of the French mathematician and philosopher Rene Descartes (1596 – 1650), who was one of the first to employ such coordinate systems.) |
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X,Y,
Z Axis The Cartesian coordinate system uses three axis to represent position: x, y and z. The positive x axis points to the right, the positive y axis points up and the positive z axis points away from you. Where these three axis converge is called the Origin. The coordinates of the Origin are (x=0, y=0,z=0). This can be seen in any PiXELS:3D view. With the grid turned on, look at the two darker lines—where these lines intersect is the Origin. |
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| XYZ
Coordinates The Cartesian coordinate system uses three coordinates to locate any point in space. These coordinates are labeled x, y and z. As a short hand they are sometimes written enclosed in braces and separated by commas. For example, the Origin can be written as {0,0,0}. XZ, XY, YZ Planes |
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| Because of the limitations inherent in a two-dimensional screen, PiXELS3D uses three views aligned with coordinate planes to help you locate points in three-dimensional space. The Top, Front and Right views represent these three planes. | |||||||||
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