How do I calculate the center of a square given its position and orientation?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion focuses on calculating the world coordinates of the center of a square based on its top left corner, position, and orientation in a 2D space. Participants explore various mathematical approaches and angles to determine the correct coordinates, considering the square's potential rotation.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes their method for calculating the center of a square using trigonometric functions based on the square's position and orientation, but expresses confusion over the resulting coordinates.
  • Another participant suggests using the angle $$-\frac{3\pi}{4}$$ for the calculations and provides specific coordinate values for the center based on this angle.
  • A later reply indicates that the initial confusion may stem from using the wrong angle and emphasizes the importance of correctly identifying the reference point in the diagram.
  • Participants discuss the implications of the square's ability to rotate, questioning how the angle should be adjusted based on the direction of rotation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correct approach to account for the square's rotation, as different angles and methods are proposed without agreement on a single solution.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the reference point for the square's position and the effects of rotation on the angle used in calculations. The discussion also highlights potential confusion in interpreting the orientation of the square.

sterlingm
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Hi,

I want to find the world coordinates of the center of a square given:

-The top left corner is the reference point
-Its position relative to the world frame
-Its orientation relative to the world frame

The example that I have been using is that the square is at (0,2), has 0 orientation, and the distance to the center from the corner is 0.1524m in the x and y directions (Picture given).

View attachment 1868

This means that the center should be -0.1524, 1.8476. My closest way of doing it was:

x = x_world + (h*cos(-PI/4))
y = y_world + (h*sin(-PI/4))

h = 0.2155m for this example

However, this gives me the location of (0.1524, 1.8476). The x coordinate should be negative. I have tried numerous equations such as:

x = (x_world+h)*(cos(orientation - PI/4))
x = (x_world+h)*(cos(orientation + PI/4))
x = x_world*cos(orientation+PI/4)
(The y formulas being the same but replacing x with y and cos with sin)

However, none of these work. If anyone could help me out, that would be great. I feel like it should be so simple, but I can't seem to figure it out. The oddly specific example is not from homework, this is something I am working on for a hobbyist 2D project.
 

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The angle you want to use is $$-\frac{3\pi}{4}$$

The center of the given square would then have the coordinates:

$$x_C=0+0.1524\cos\left(-\frac{3\pi}{4} \right)\approx-0.107763$$

$$y_C=2+0.1524\sin\left(-\frac{3\pi}{4} \right)\approx1.892237$$

It looks like your diagram gives the upper right corner as the reference point, and where you have $h$, this is where you should have the measure $0.1524$.
 
MarkFL said:
The angle you want to use is $$-\frac{3\pi}{4}$$

The center of the given square would then have the coordinates:

$$x_C=0+0.1524\cos\left(-\frac{3\pi}{4} \right)\approx-0.107763$$

$$y_C=2+0.1524\sin\left(-\frac{3\pi}{4} \right)\approx1.892237$$

It looks like your diagram gives the upper right corner as the reference point, and where you have $h$, this is where you should have the measure $0.1524$.

Thanks! I think the main problem was using -PI/3 rather than -3PI/4. I probably should have added an arrow to my diagram to show where the "front" of the square was. I added it here:

View attachment 1871

However, I forgot to mention one important detail. The square can rotate. So how does the angle change from -3PI/4 if the square can rotate?
 

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  • square.png
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If the square rotates about the point (0,2) in a counter-clockwise direction, then add the angle of rotation to $$-\frac{3\pi}{4}$$. If the rotation is in a clockwise direction then subtract the angle of rotation.
 

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