1. NodeBox 3
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    2. NodeBox 3Node-based app for generative design and data visualization
    3. NodeBox OpenGLHardware-accelerated cross-platform graphics library
    4. NodeBox 1Generate 2D visuals using Python code (Mac OS X only)
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Coordinate System

NodeBox works in 2 dimensions. The x dimension goes from left to right. The y dimension goes from top to bottom. The y axis is thus pointed down.

The NodeBox Coordinate System

A point in NodeBox space is represented as x, y. For example, the point 30,40 would be located 30 points from the left and 40 points from the top of the origin.

The origin is the center of the canvas, point 0,0. All objects in NodeBox are centered around the origin. You can show the origin in the viewer pane by checking the “Origin” box at the top.

When you create a new shape in NodeBox, it will be centered on the origin. As an example, let’s create a rectangle. In the viewer, turn the origin on. Note that if we drag the width or height, the object stays centered:

A Rectangle positioned at the origin

The origin is an important concept because it underlies the functionality of many nodes.

Transformation Nodes

Node that transform a shape, such as the rotate node, use the origin as their center point by default:

Note that the rectangle doesn’t rotate around its center – it rotates around the origin:

Function of the origin point in Transform node

The same happens in the scale node, although the effect there is much less notable.

Controlling the origin

Try to be aware where your objects are in relation to the origin. This makes manipulations further in the network easier.