Understanding XYZ Coordinates in Maya (3D Modeling and Animation Software)

Understanding 3 Dimensions is one and only way to get in the world of 3D. Let’s try to understand what the dimensions are? When we draw something on paper like sheet or surface, we use 2 dimensions. A photograph is two dimensional thing, a shadow is a two dimensional entity as well. A 2 dimensional object is always drawn on 2 dimensional surfaces like paper, and has two axes for drawing, X, Y, one for length measurement and one for width measurement. But a 3 dimensional object has depth in addition, And cannot be drawn on 2 dimensional surfaces like paper, because a 3 dimensional object is a thing of realistic world like cup, glass, room, fan, computer, ball, book, human, pen, pillar etc. when we model a 3 dimensional object within Maya. We model it in an imaginary workspace, which gives us the illusion of realistic 3D world, and we have length, width, depth at a time. We model 3 dimensional objects on 3 axes X, Y and Z.

Understanding 3 Dimensions is one and only way to get in the world of 3D. Let’s try to understand what the dimensions are? When we draw something on paper like sheet or surface, we use 2 dimensions. A photograph is two dimensional thing, a shadow is a two dimensional entity as well. A 2 dimensional object is always drawn on 2 dimensional surfaces like paper, and has two axes for drawing, X, Y, one for length measurement and one for width measurement. But a 3 dimensional object has depth in addition, And cannot be drawn on 2 dimensional surfaces like paper, because a 3 dimensional object is a thing of realistic world like cup, glass, room, fan, computer, ball, book, human, pen, pillar etc. when we model a 3 dimensional object within Maya. We model it in an imaginary workspace, which gives us the illusion of realistic 3D world, and we have length, width, depth at a time. We model 3 dimensional objects on 3 axes X, Y and Z.

3D Software and Realistic World are same indeed, because according to Modern physics the realistic world is nothing more than an illusion. Most of the Western Philosophers and Scientists including Einstein the Great believe that our realistic world is nothing but just an illusion.

We believe that we exist however it’s not totally true, because whatsoever we observe is just perception or conception of our five senses. Even the Father of Modern Western Descartes says, “I think so I am” otherwise nothing is to make my belief that I exist in this world. Anyhow we are not studying philosophy here, we are just trying to understand the difference between realistic world and any of 3D Software such as Maya, 3D Studio max, AutoCAD or somewhat else. When we work within Maya, actually we use a 2 Dimension Screen of our LCD or Monitor as drawing canvas. So the difference between realistic world and 3D software is clear that we just model or animate 2 dimensional entities on an imaginary 3 dimensional canvas. It’s just like drawing an apple on a paper with shades that make apple’s round rather we model things in our realistic world on a realistic canvas which is our space, our surroundings, our environment.

In 3D graphic the most important and basic of all the things is to learn what XYZ coordinates are? All the work in 3D graphics whether it is 3D modeling of images or 3D animated videos or 3D calligraphic designing all of them circle around XYZ coordinate system.

Here you can learn about XYZ coordinates in detail. You will be taught what frame of references means in XYZ coordinate system. There is reference point of each point in XYZ coordinate system. It is like that “a book is placed on a table“then table will be called as a reference to find the book in a room this should be taken as an example to describe the meanings of reference. Similarly, every point in work space of Maya has it reference with respect to origin. In XYZ coordinate system the origin is a fixed point from where the X, Y and Z coordinates originate. Learn XYZ coordinate system in Maya graphics in a very comprehensive manner on our website. You will then be able to draw Graphics in Maya 3D graphics like a professional.

What is meant by Space and Time in Maya? Actually, it is a term of Physics and also one of the complex terms of the philosophy but in the terms of Maya 3D software we mean by the term Space and Time as the time in which an animated 3D image is displayed in space of Maya 3D work space replacing the previous 3D animated image.

Maya software is great software while you are working in Maya you should be well aware of its all basic terms. One of them is being discussed here i.e. Space and Time or in terms of Maya 3D you call it Timing and framing. Space can be referred as 3D work space of Maya. Suppose you are working on 3D image of a ball having Diameter of 3 inches in 1st frame and in 24th frame its diameter is 6 inches and play frame rate is 24 frames per second. When the slider comes from 1St to 24th frame in one second its size gets doubled. This is what the Timing and Framing is in Maya 3D.