[SVG Transforms 1.0, Part 2: Language (2009-03-20)] - Feedback for '1. Introduction'

Hello svg-wg,

especially because it is mentioned, that this is not only
intended for SVG, I think it is a good idea to provide some
more explanations and graphics about the used coordinate
system in the introduction and how the matrices, vectors and
scalars are related to the user coordinate system.
One graphical representation could be a previously not
transformed user coordinate system and its relation to
the viewport.
Especially the directions of x, y, and z (respectively d)
should be interesting for authors. 
Hopefully the direction of the z axes is consistent with
that of the SVG filter chapter, the SVG rotation direction
etc...

Could be helpful for authors too to see how a simple, but total
asymmetric object is presented after each basic transformation
and the projection with an example graphics.



In detail:

About 1.1:

I assume x, y, d in [x y d] are scalars (coordinates)
representing a vector (what is an object with direction and
length (euclidian) - is this correct?

How are the matrix elements in the projection matrix related
to the vector and the user coordinate system?

I assume, that the <px>, <py> and <pd> of 2.2 property
are related to the vector [x y d] - correct?
If so, what happens with pd = d = 0 with the matrix element
noted to be '1/-d'?

About 1.2:
Similar question, how is the matrix related to user coordinate,
respectively how transforms a vector in the user coordinate system
with this matrix? (could be similar explained as done in the
SVG specifications)

It is noted, that [a b c d e f g h i j k m] is a vector -
what is the meaning of direction and the length (euclidian)
for this vector? If it has no meaning, it is maybe more a list
of scalars?

Is the d matrix element here related to that with the same 
name in the projection matrix? I assume not, if this is true,
maybe the name for the scalar in the projection matrix should
be changed to another unused letter to avoid confusion.

About 1.2.1.-1.2.6.:

I think, it would be simpler to reuse the 'a b c d e f g h i j k m'
from 1.2 in the matrices provided here, if it is a simple scalar.
If these are more complex terms write something like cos(alpha) is ok, 
but it should be noted, what alpha is (an angle in degree I assume as
usual in SVG).
Note that the 'a' symbol appears with different meanings in section
1.2 - first as a matrix element, then as an (undefined) angle, as
I assume from the position within the cos - to avoid confusion the
angle should be replaced with another symbol, for example a greek
letter.

In 1.2.3. it is not obvious, what nx, ny, nz or something like
't.nx.nx' might be - is '.' here a symbol for multiplication or some
DOM/ecma-script-style notation separator or something else?
I assume multiplication, because I know those formulars already,
but I think this is not obvious for every reader.


Best wishes

Received on Saturday, 21 March 2009 17:50:33 UTC