Why Does the Order of Transformations Affect the Result in SVG?

Why Does Order of Transforms Matter?

Understanding Transform Chaining in SVG

According to the SVG specification, each transformation applied to an SVG element creates a copy of the current coordinate system. The subsequent transformations are then applied to this new coordinate system, creating a cascading effect.

The order of transformations is crucial because each transformation modifies the coordinate system before the next transformation is applied. For instance, if an element is rotated and then translated, the translation occurs relative to the rotated coordinate system, not the initial non-rotated one.

Example: Scale/Rotate vs. Rotate/Scale

Consider the example provided in the code snippet. In the first rectangle (scale/rotate), the current coordinate system is scaled by a factor of 2 in the x-axis before it is rotated 10 degrees. This results in a rectangular shape that is effectively skewed.

In contrast, in the second rectangle (rotate/scale), the current coordinate system is rotated 10 degrees before it is scaled by a factor of 2 in the x-axis. Since the rotation is applied first, the subsequent scaling occurs relative to the rotated coordinate system. This results in a rectangular shape that is simply elongated along the x-axis without any skewing.

Why the Skewing Occurs

In the case of the first rectangle (scale/rotate), the scaling operation affects the shape of the element itself. When the element is then rotated, the transformed shape is rotated, resulting in the skewing effect.

On the other hand, in the second rectangle (rotate/scale), the rotation operation affects the coordinate system. When the element is subsequently scaled, the scaling occurs with respect to the rotated coordinate system, preserving the rectangle's original shape without skewing.

Conclusion

Understanding the order of transformations is essential for controlling the effects of chaining transformations in SVG. By applying transformations in a specific order, you can achieve the desired visual effects on the elements.

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