9
why why why (lemmy.world)
submitted 3 years ago by to c/programmerhumor@lemmy.ml
10 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] 0 points 3 years ago (1 child)

I thought right-hand rule with Z up as thumb was standard in science? You usually project on the xy-plane, for example when calculating the distance to objects on a flat surface.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
    •
  • [–] 1 point 3 years ago

    I only know thumb = motion/current but now since you say, it's clear: people used x/y for 2D logically but the 2D plane used to be paper. which is parallel to the earth surface (usually). Computer screens are perpendicular so Y points up, not away from you.

    So this makes sense with paper, TIL. With computers, Z traditionally means depth.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent