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CSS CSS Transitions and Transforms Adding 3D Effects with CSS Build a Rotating 3D Cube

Anthony Rice
Anthony Rice
7,976 Points
Posted by Anthony Rice
Anthony Rice
7,976 Points

Difficulties understanding the transform-origin property in 3D space.

Hi. I am having difficulties understanding how the transform-origin property works in this 3D cube example. (When using the transform property on a 2D object, it makes perfect sense.)

1 Answer

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,198 Points
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,198 Points

Are you sure you remembered to save your change and refresh your browser?

When I remove the transform-origin property from the .back class, the back panel protrudes halfway out from the center of the right side. The other half is inside the cube.

I thought it made a good example of the use of the transform in the 3D model.

Anthony Rice
Anthony Rice
7,976 Points
Anthony Rice
Anthony Rice
7,976 Points

When I commented out the transform-origin property on .back, saved the changes, and refreshed the browser on both firefox and chrome, the cube appears unchanged.

.back {
  transform: translateX(-110px) rotateY(270deg);
/*  transform-origin: center-left;*/
}

However, when I comment out the transform-origin property on .left, the cube is off. 

.left {
  transform: rotateY(-270deg) translate3d(110px, 0, 0);
/*  transform-origin: top right; */
}

I still do not quite understand the transform-origin property in 3D space. What is the frame of reference on "top right"?

In order for me to understand this, I adjusted the transform-origin to "center" on .left and changed it from translateX(110px) to translateZ(110px).

.left {
  transform: rotateY(-270deg) translateZ(110px);
  transform-origin: center;
}