Coordinate System

GCrafter uses a 3D coordinate system to describe where things are, how large they are, and how parts relate to one another.

If you have used other CAD, CNC, laser, or design tools, the directions may not match what you expect at first. That is normal. Different tools choose different directions for “up,” “forward,” and “depth.”

In GCrafter:

• X runs left and right
• Y runs up and down
• Z runs forward and backward

More specifically:

• X+ moves to the right
• X- moves to the left
• Y+ moves up
• Y- moves down
• Z+ moves forward
• Z- moves backward

So the short version is:

Y is up. Z+ is forward.

That may feel odd if you are coming from a 2D drawing or CNC background, but once you get used to it, the system is consistent.

The Three Directions

A 3D object needs three directions:

| Axis | Direction | Think of it as |
|---|---|---|
| X | Left and right | Width |
| Y | Up and down | Height |
| Z | Forward and backward | Length or depth |

If you imagine a box sitting in front of you:

• Its width usually runs along the X axis.
• Its height runs along the Y axis.
• Its depth or length runs along the Z axis.

Y+ ↑ | | | └────────→ X+ / / Z+

This little axis diagram is the mental model:

• Go right: X+
• Go up: Y+
• Come forward: Z+

Why Y Is Up

GCrafter works in a 3D environment, where the model needs to sit in space.

In many 3D systems, the vertical direction is treated as Y. That means height is measured along the Y axis.

So when you make a box taller, you are increasing its Y dimension.

When you move a part upward, you are moving it in the positive Y direction.

When you lower something, you are moving it in the negative Y direction.

Simple enough.

Mostly.

Why Z+ Is Forward

Z handles front-to-back depth.

In GCrafter, positive Z points forward. Negative Z points backward.

So if you are looking at the front of a box:

• Moving toward you is Z+
• Moving away from you is Z-

This is important for understanding things like:

• Front and back parts
• Part positions
• Assembly depth
• Which direction a panel faces
• How parts intersect

Think of Z as the “reach out and grab it” direction.

If the part comes toward you, it is moving in Z+.

Width, Height, and Length

GCrafter usually describes project item dimensions as:

• Width
• Height
• Length

These map to the coordinate system like this:

| Dimension | Axis |
|---|---|
| Width | X |
| Height | Y |
| Length | Z |

So a project item that is:

Width: 300 Height: 120 Length: 200

means:

• 300 units wide along X
• 120 units tall along Y
• 200 units deep along Z

A Box in GCrafter Space

Imagine a simple open box.

Y+ ↑ | top | ┌──────────────┐ /│ /│ / │ / │ └──────────────┘ │ │ │ │ │ │ └───────────│──┘ → X+ │ / │ / │/ │/ └──────────────┘ / / Z+

The box has:

• Left and right sides along the X direction
• Height along the Y direction
• Front and back depth along the Z direction

Even though the screen is flat, GCrafter is keeping track of all three directions at once.

3D Design vs. 2D Cutting

This is where things can feel a little strange.

GCrafter lets you design in 3D, but your CNC or laser usually cuts in 2D.

That means a part may live in 3D space while you are designing, then later get unfolded, flattened, or laid out as a 2D profile for cutting.

For example:

• A side wall may stand upright in 3D.
• A front panel may face forward in 3D.
• A bottom panel may lie flat in 3D.

But when exported, all of those parts become flat 2D shapes on a sheet.

So there are really two ways to think about your design:

1. Assembly space
   Where parts are positioned in 3D.

2. Layout space
   Where parts are arranged flat for cutting.

GCrafter handles the translation between those two views.

Part Position

A part’s position describes where it sits in the 3D assembly.

Position usually uses X, Y, and Z values.

For example:

X: 0 Y: 50 Z: 0

This means the part is centered left-to-right, moved upward by 50 units, and centered front-to-back.

Another example:

X: 100 Y: 0 Z: -25

This means the part is moved right, stays at the same height, and moves backward.

Positive and Negative Direction

Each axis has two directions.

| Value | X Axis | Y Axis | Z Axis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Positive | Right | Up | Forward |
| Negative | Left | Down | Backward |

If something moves the wrong way, check whether the value should be positive or negative.

This is one of the most common things to adjust when positioning parts manually.

Rotation

Rotation also happens around an axis.

That means a part can rotate around X, Y, or Z.

A helpful way to imagine this:

• Rotate around X: tip forward or backward
• Rotate around Y: turn left or right
• Rotate around Z: spin like a clock face

Rotate around X: tipping motion Rotate around Y: turning motion Rotate around Z: spinning motion

If that makes your brain complain, that is fair. Rotation in 3D is one of those things that sounds simple until you are staring at a panel that has decided to become a ceiling fan.

The good news: most everyday GCrafter work does not require you to think deeply about rotation. But when you do need it, remember that rotation is always happening around one of the three axes.

Origin: The Center Point

The origin is the point where X, Y, and Z all equal zero.

X: 0 Y: 0 Z: 0

This is the center reference point of the coordinate system.

You can think of it as the “middle of the universe” for the current design space.

Everything else is measured from there:

• Positive X is to the right of the origin.
• Negative X is to the left.
• Positive Y is above it.
• Negative Y is below it.
• Positive Z is in front.
• Negative Z is behind it.

A Quick Mental Shortcut

If you get turned around, use this:

X = across Y = up Z = out

Or even shorter:

X across, Y up, Z forward.

That will get you through most situations.

Common Things That Feel Backwards

“Why is height Y instead of Z?”

Because GCrafter is using a 3D-style coordinate system where Y is vertical.

Some CAD and CNC tools use Z as vertical. GCrafter does not.

In GCrafter, Y is height.

“Why does my part move forward when I change Z?”

Because Z controls front-to-back movement.

Positive Z moves forward. Negative Z moves backward.

“Why does the 3D view not match my machine bed?”

Because the 3D view shows the assembled object, while the machine bed uses a flat 2D layout.

The assembled design and the exported cut layout are related, but they are not the same view.

“Which axis should I change?”

Use this guide:

| What you want to change | Axis |
|---|---|
| Move left or right | X |
| Move up or down | Y |
| Move forward or backward | Z |
| Make wider | X |
| Make taller | Y |
| Make deeper | Z |

It Works, Even If It Feels Weird at First

The coordinate system may feel unfamiliar if you are used to flat drawings or CNC machine coordinates.

That is okay.

The important thing is that GCrafter is consistent:

• X is left and right.
• Y is up and down.
• Z is forward and backward.
• Positive Z comes forward.
• Design happens in 3D.
• Cutting happens in 2D.

Once that clicks, the rest of the workflow becomes much easier to understand.