Can i invert the Y-Axis in the Coordinate System?

OmniGraffle OmniGraffle for Mac
#1

Hello,

is it possible somehow to invert the coordinate system on the Y-Axis? I want to layout a wall for my room and need to start the coordinate system downleft with the y-axis upwards, to enter my measurements. Its a little bit annoying to calculate everything from “the ceiling” instead from the floor, but cant find anything on the web neither an option in the working area.

Greetings, Marc

#2

(The developers really should be catching questions such as this.)

I am not absolutely sure that I understand what you need. Here is the answer for what I think you need.

Yes, absolutely. The ZeroPoint of the Ruler is settable. This is for OG V5.4 Pro, the GUI is vastly different in V6 & V7, but I am sure you can find it.

Method

Grab the Zero Point, and drag it to where you need it to be.

  • In the example above, the left edge of my canvas is at the left edge of the window, and therefore the canvas-zero is currently at ruler-zero. If you move the ZeroPoint down, along the Ruler, to the bottom-left of your canvas (not bottom-left of the window), it works exactly as expected (for what I expect you need)

  • If it is not (ie. there is a gap between left edge of the canvas and the ruler, usually grey), the effect of moving the ruler looks weird. Correct but looks weird. I think you can figure it out.

ZeroPoint Moved

  • Ruler Zero Moved
    Ruler Zero Moved877×482 122 KB

  • The Ruler Zero is now shown as a bright blue line. There are two axes, so there are two lines.

  • Here, I am showing you the grey, between the left edge of the window and the left edge of my canvas.

  • Refer the variables in the object:

    • The values in the Ruler, above the ZeroPoint, will be negative. Ie. it is not truly an invert.

      • Since it is a Ruler, it really should not be signed (a Ruler is absolute, therefore the numbers are absolute, therefore there is no such thing as negative values in a Ruler).

    • For most purposes that is fine, for your purpose it might be annoying.

      • “Just ignore the minus-sign” may or may not be good enough.

    • The object dimensions are correct.

    • If you want the coordinates to be the bottom-left of your objects, OG fails, it shows the coordinates at the top-left. Which is obviously a bug.

Cheers

1 Like
#3

Initially I rotated my monitor for this, but grew tired, eventually, of predicting where the mouse would run.

Now I just design the room upside down, and enjoy the fresh perspective.

( Tho I sometimes still trip over light fittings on the floor )