Coordinate systems
A coordinate system is a mathematical framework used to define positions in space using numerical values called coordinates. In Expressive Animator (and most other graphics software), coordinate systems help determine where objects are located, and how they move or transform relative to each other.
Spaces
A space is the context where a coordinate system is applied. Expressive Animator defines two spaces: Composition space and Object space. The units for the two spaces are pixels, the axes are X (horizontal) and Y (vertical), and the origin point is different for each space in part.
Composition Space
As the name suggests, this space provides the main coordinate system of the entire composition. This space is what rulers measure when they are enabled, or what grids take as reference when they are rendered.
Object Space
This space is local and specific to every graphic object on the canvas. Or, in other words, every object has its own Object Space with a local coordinate system.
Origin point
The origin point is the zero point (0, 0), the starting location in any space. This is the reference point from which all positions are measured.
For the Composition Space, this is the top-left point of the artboard.
For the Object Space, this is different for each object in part. For example, for Groups, the origin point coincides with the origin point of the Composition Space. In contrast, for Geometric shapes such as rectangles, ellipses, polygons, and stars, the origin point is defined using the bounding box as reference, and can be changed by the users.