FME Form: 2024.1

Quadrants

FME allows coordinate systems to be measured in quadrants other than the usual quadrant where X increases to the east and Y increases to the north.

The QUAD directive in a coordinate system definition is used to set the orientation of the coordinate system.

This directive takes an integer value from -4 to 4. 0 or 1 indicate the normal right-handed Cartesian system, where X increases to the east, and Y increases to the north. This is the default quadrant.

Quadrants are numbered counterclockwise:

  • a value of 2 specifies a Cartesian system where X increases to the west and Y increases to the north;
  • a value of 3 indicates that X increases to the west, and Y increases to the south;
  • a value of 4 indicates that X increases to the east and Y increases to the south.

2

1

3

4

A negative value will cause the axes to be swapped after the appropriate quadrant is applied.