The Z axis is usually used for depth, so it’s going to be perpendicular to whatever your frame of reference (i.e. projection plane) is.
If it’s upright in space, like a computer screen, the Z axis will be horizontal. If it’s a sheet of paper on a desk, then yes, I suppose it could be argued to be vertical instead.
not consistently. I find there are basically two schools of thought in 3d graphics:
the screen is a graph representing a 3d space:
the x axis is horizontal, the y axis is vertical. depth, going ‘into’ the screen, then becomes the z axis. mathematicians and programmers tend to like this.
the screen is a camera viewing a 3d space from within itself:
the coordinates to position yourself along a line is one dimensional: x. to position yourself on a plane as in a 2d game, two dimensional: x, y. to position yourself within a volume, three dimensional: x, y, z. humans are kind of inherently planar spatial navigators - it’s easy to think about our position in terms of “where on the ground” we are, then adjust for height. 3d artists and level designers tend to like this.
Isn’t the Z axis vertical?
Not in bistromath.
Indeed, a common mistake for newcomers to the field.
It’s typically vertical, but you can name your variables however you want.
The Z axis is usually used for depth, so it’s going to be perpendicular to whatever your frame of reference (i.e. projection plane) is.
If it’s upright in space, like a computer screen, the Z axis will be horizontal. If it’s a sheet of paper on a desk, then yes, I suppose it could be argued to be vertical instead.
in lots of 3D software Z is horizontal
Horizontal going into the screen right? The depth axis, if you will.
not consistently. I find there are basically two schools of thought in 3d graphics:
the screen is a graph representing a 3d space: the x axis is horizontal, the y axis is vertical. depth, going ‘into’ the screen, then becomes the z axis. mathematicians and programmers tend to like this.
the screen is a camera viewing a 3d space from within itself: the coordinates to position yourself along a line is one dimensional: x. to position yourself on a plane as in a 2d game, two dimensional: x, y. to position yourself within a volume, three dimensional: x, y, z. humans are kind of inherently planar spatial navigators - it’s easy to think about our position in terms of “where on the ground” we are, then adjust for height. 3d artists and level designers tend to like this.
Ah I see. Thanks. I’m used to the first line of thought, as that’s what I’ve been using when doing 3D programming.
All the 3D printer software, Z is vertical. But I only used a couple so I am not an expert.
🤔
Yup.
I’ve definitely seen Z as the forward/backward axis before
No? That would be the y axis.