OneCNC uses the Cartesian coordinate system to provide you with precision and ease of use and design. This help file covers the basics of Cartesian coordinates as well as giving some useful knowledge and also detailing some ways in which we have made the software faster for you to use.

Understanding how coordinates work.

The Cartesian coordinate system uses three perpendicular axes X, Y and Z to specify points in three dimensional space. Every location in a drawing can be represented as a point relative to the coordinate position 0, 0, 0 which is referred to as the origin. To draw in two dimensional mode you only need to specify horizontal coordinates along the X axes and vertical coordinates along the Y axes.

In two dimensional mode OneCNC automatically presumes a Z of 0 and hence does not ask for Z. In three dimensional it, naturally, will ask for the Z.

About working with coordinates.

For accuracy in a drawing you can locate specific points by entering coordinates as you draw or modify entities. When you create two dimensional entities you enter two dimensional coordinates, for three dimensional drawing you enter three dimensional coordinates. You can also specify coordinates from other known positions which we call incremental.

Many commands in OneCNC require you to specify points as you draw or modify entities. You can do so by selecting from the position dialogue and typing in coordinates or by selecting intersections end points arc center and so on. OneCNC locates positions using a Cartesian coordinate system.

The right hand rules of coordinates.

Use the right-hand rule to determine the positive axis direction of the Z axis when you know the direction of the X and Y axes in a three dimensional coordinate system. You can also use the right-hand rule for determining the positive direction of rotation about an axis in 3D space.

To determine the positive rotation direction about an axis, point your right thumb in the positive direction of the axis and curl your fingers as illustrated. Your fingers indicate the positive rotation direction about the axis.