Motion 6.3
Motion 6.0
Motion 5.11
Motion 5.10
Motion 5.9
Motion 5.8
Motion 5.7
Motion 5.6.6
Motion 5.6.4
Motion 5.6.1
Motion 5.6
Motion 5.5.2
Motion 5.5.1
Motion 5.5
Motion 5.4.6
Motion 5.4.4
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Intro to 3D coordinates in Motion

In a standard 2D Motion project, coordinates are measured in two dimensions, along two axes: X (side to side) and Y (up and down). A 3D Motion project contains an additional dimension (depth), which is measured along the Z axis (front to back). All three axes (X, Y, and Z) meet in the center of the canvas, at a point called the origin, where X = 0, Y = 0, and Z = 0. Moving an object to the left subtracts from the X value, while moving it to the right adds to the X value. Moving an object up adds to the Y value, while moving it down subtracts from the Y value. Moving an object “closer” adds to the Z value, while moving it farther away subtracts from the Z value.

In a 2D project, the X and Y axes remain static: X always runs horizontally, and Y always runs vertically. However, in a 3D project, you can change your point of view, which reorients (from your perspective) the direction of the 3 axes. As a result, moving an object up (from your perspective) doesn’t always mean increasing its Y position value.

Illustration showing two-dimensional representation of three-dimensional X, Y and Z axes

Note: In a new project, the canvas is oriented with the Z axis pointing straight at you. This orientation preserves the traditional two-dimensional orientation of the X and Y axes.

Motion uses the following conventions for 3D coordinates:

  • Object movement is along an axis.

  • Object rotation is around an axis.

  • Each axis is color-coded: X is red; Y is green; and Z is blue.

  • Positive rotation is counterclockwise around an axis.

  • The coordinates of an object (as shown in the Inspector) are relative to the coordinates of the group in which the object resides. See Relative coordinates in Motion.

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