A Transform creates a coordinate system that is:
· Positioned
· Rotated
· Scaled (relative to a parent coordinate system)

Shapes built in the new coordinate system are positioned, rotated, and scaled along with it.

The Transform node allows objects to be placed with respect to specified locations that relate to the origin. If no parent/children relationships are established, this transformation relates to the original origin of a VRML scene. If a parent/children relationship is established the translation of a child is related to the origin of the parent.

A Transform group node controls:

· translation - position
· rotation - orientation
· scale - size

Transform {
translation . . .
rotation . . .
scale . . .
children [ . . . ]
}

Translation positions a coordinate system in X, Y, and Z

Transform {
# X Y Z
translation 2.0 0.0 0.0
children [ . . . ]
}

Go back and view the original file discussed previously to draw a green cone.

Using your Web browser view the cone and note its location on the screen.

Alter the code for the green cone to move the object 5 metres to the right from its default (x=0, y=0, z=0, or world origin). To re-locate it the Shape node is placed into a Transform node and then translate the Shape node to the required location.

Save the file as movedcone.wrl

#VRML V2.0 utf8
#Draws green cone moved 5 metres to the right
Transform {
translation 5 0 0
children Shape {
appearance Appearance {
material Material {
diffuseColor 0 1 0
}
}
geometry Cone { }
}
}

The translation field moves the children 5 units (metres) to the right (x-axis) and zero units in the y- and z-directions. The Transform node is similar to the Group node with the difference of their translation, scale, and rotation fields. The translation should now be visible between the two
Cones.

Note: brackets were not necessary to enclose the contents of the children field, as there was only one child in the list. If more than one child is ‘grouped’ by brackets the transformation would apply to them all.