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Does the method for computing the cross-product change for left handed coordinates?

Does the method for computing the cross-product change for left handed coordinates?

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zooropa Avatar asked Jan 27 '11 18:01

zooropa


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1 Answers

The formula for the cross product of the vectors (x1, x2, x3) and (y1, y2, y3) is

z1 = x2 * y3 - x3 * y2
z2 = x3 * y1 - x1 * y3
z3 = x1 * y2 - x2 * y1

It is designed in a way that the three vectors x, y and z in the given order have the same handedness as the coordinate system itself. This property does not depend on the handedness of the coordinate system -- for a left-handed coordinate system the vectors fulfil the left-hand rule. You don't need to change anything about the formula.

Useful links:

  • Righthanded and Lefthanded Systems of Coordinates and the Cross Product
  • Relevant section from the Wikipedia article
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Sven Marnach Avatar answered Nov 15 '22 20:11

Sven Marnach