jMonkeyEngine 3.0 Beginner's Guide

Time for action – finding the spot

Using coordinates, we pinpoint a location in 3D space by specifying the distance from the origin along the three axes x, y, and z.

Tip

Remember the order: (x,y,z) coordinates always go in the same rut (Right-Up-Towards you). You can use the word R.U.T. as a mnemonic.

So how do you go about locating a point? Let's try to find coordinate (2,3,-4):

1. Always start at the origin.
2. The first value of the (2,3,-4) coordinates tells you to go two steps right, following the arrow of the x axis.
3. The second value of the (2,3,-4) coordinates tells you to go three steps up, following the arrow of the y axis.
4. The third value of the (2,3,-4) coordinates tells you to go four steps away from you, against the arrow of the z axis.

What just ...