Coordinate Systems

A form’s global coordinate system is based on the North, East, South, and West coordinates of the ViewCube. When a form is reoriented and has a different relationship with the global coordinate system, it is on the local coordinate system.

Use the... To drag the object...
Blue arrow along the global Z axis
Red arrow along the global Y axis
Green arrow along the global X axis
Red planar control in the Y plane
Green planar control in the X plane
Orange arrow along a local axis
Orange planar control in a local plane

The following graphic displays a sweep that was manipulated by dragging the control arrows to change its shape.

Original Sweep First Manipulated Sweep Second Manipulated Sweep

When forms are defined by the local coordinate system, the 3D form controls display in orange color. Only the coordinates that change to the local coordinate system display in orange color. For example, if you rotate a cube by 15 degrees, the X and Y arrows display in orange, but the Z arrow remains blue because it still has the same global Z coordinate value.

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