2.1 Cartesian Coordinates

The X and Y-axes generally correspond to dimensions of length and width while the Z-axis corresponds to that of height as indicated in the diagram at right.

Distances are given in a triplet of dimensions written as (X,Y,Z). As defined (noting it is dependent on view angle as in the view at right), the X-axis is oriented left-to-right, the Y-axis is oriented top-to-bottom, and the Z-axis is oriented up-to-down (or in and out of the plane A two-dimensional and flat object. of the screen).

Visual assumes a Z-dimension of zero if coordinates Location information usually provided in terms of (X,Y) or (X,Y,Z) components along Cartesian axes. are specified as a couplet (X,Y).

Positive dimensions are to the right, toward the top, and up or out of the screen. Conversely, negative dimensions are to the left, toward the bottom, and out of the screen.

Isometric views that are from an angled vantage point are labeled like a compass. In the example to the right, the diagram is viewed from the NE direction.

The origin (0,0,0) is not labeled in Visual and it is not necessary to construct objects starting at the origin. Objects can be placed anywhere in the model The entire lighting system composed of Luminaires, Solid Objects (perhaps), and Calculation Zones. space.

An Axis can be drawn for reference in the Design Environment as is shown at right for all three axes, noting that the color of each axis has been changed to coordinate Location information usually provided in terms of (X,Y) or (X,Y,Z) components along Cartesian axes. to the axis colors used in Visual.

Absolute Coordinates are those that are specified and entered with reference to the origin (0,0,0). These coordinates Location information usually provided in terms of (X,Y) or (X,Y,Z) components along Cartesian axes. are displayed in black in the top of the Status Bar. Visual displays the coordinates Location information usually provided in terms of (X,Y) or (X,Y,Z) components along Cartesian axes. of the cursor in this part of the Status Bar at all times. Absolute Coordinates can be displayed at/with the mouse crosshairs Two thin, intersecting, orthogonal lines affiliated with the mouse pointer in the Design Environment. The crosshairs are used to pinpoint locations in the Design Environment and provide a visual cue to the plane in which the mouse pointer is moving via color., see Environment Settings.

Relative Coordinates are displayed in the Status Bar while in a command. The origin for Relative Coordinates is the initial point of user input. For example, Visual will display an (X,Y,Z) of (10,5,0) in the blue coordinates Location information usually provided in terms of (X,Y) or (X,Y,Z) components along Cartesian axes. on the bottom of the Status bar if the mouse is moved 10 units to the left (+X) and 5 units up (+Y). The Z-dimension is 0 because the drawing A graphical representation of a view of the Design Environment placed on a Page in the Print Editor. is assumed to be done in a plane A two-dimensional and flat object. unless user input changes that.  Relative Coordinates can be displayed with the mouse crosshairs Two thin, intersecting, orthogonal lines affiliated with the mouse pointer in the Design Environment. The crosshairs are used to pinpoint locations in the Design Environment and provide a visual cue to the plane in which the mouse pointer is moving via color., see Environment Settings.

As an additional part of Relative Coordinates, Visual displays the polar coordinates Location information usually provided in terms of (X,Y) or (X,Y,Z) components along Cartesian axes. as a length and an angle. These reference a line created by extending from the first (or last) selection point made in the command to the current mouse position.  The angle shown is between this same line and the X-axis.   The "line" may be imaginary depending on the command executed; e.g. when drawing A graphical representation of a view of the Design Environment placed on a Page in the Print Editor. a rectangle.