A datatype/CFrame, short for Coordinate Frame, is a data type used to rotate and position 3D objects. As either an object property or a standalone unit, a CFrame contains global X, Y, and Z coordinates as well as rotation data for each axis. In addition, CFrames contain helpful functions for working with objects in the 3D space.

Some examples of CFrame applications in a game might be:

• Finding a far-off target point for a projectile, like the position of an enemy targeted by a player’s laser blaster.
• Moving the camera so that it focuses on specific NPCs as a player interacts with them.
• Placing a status indicator directly above a player’s head to show if they are paralyzed, boosted, poisoned, etc.

CFrame Basics

Positioning a CFrame

An empty CFrame can be created with datatype/CFrame|CFrame.new() at a default position of 0, 0, 0 in the game world. To position a CFrame at a specific point however, you should provide X, Y, and Z parameters to CFrame.new(). In the following example, the redBlock object is re-positioned at -2, 2, 4 by overwriting its CFrame property with the values stored in newCFrame.

Alternatively, you can provide a new datatype/Vector3 position to CFrame.new() and achieve the same result:

Rotating a CFrame

To create a rotated CFrame, use the datatype/CFrame|CFrame.Angles() constructor, providing a rotation angle in radians for the desired axes:

Facing Toward a Point

One of the most powerful uses of CFrame.new() is the ability to point the front surface of a CFrame at a specific point in the world. Consider the following example which places the redBlock part at 0, 3, 0 and then points its front surface (marked by the white circle) at the blueCube part:

Offsetting a CFrame

In some cases, you’ll need to offset an object by a specific number of studs from its current position. This can be done by simply adding or subtracting a Vector3 to/from a new CFrame created at the object’s position.

The same technique can be used to offset an object from the position of another object. This time, a Vector3 is added to a new CFrame created at the blue cube’s position instead of the block’s position.

Dynamic CFrame Orientation

By themselves, the CFrame.new() and CFrame.Angles() constructors are powerful but they’re also very strict — they simply position/rotate an object at a specific orientation within the world. This is useful in some cases, but what if you can’t rely on a fixed world position and rotation angle? For instance:

• Placing a floating treasure directly in front of a player who may be standing anywhere in the world, facing any direction.
• Making a magical genie appear directly above a player’s right shoulder.

In these cases, CFrame functions are far more powerful than the strict constructors.

Relative Position

The datatype/CFrame|CFrame:ToWorldSpace() function transforms an object’s CFrame — respecting its own local orientation — to a new world orientation. This makes it ideal for offsetting a part relative to itself or another object, regardless of how it’s currently positioned/rotated.

In the code/image below, notice that the red block gets offset 2 studs relative to the Y axis of the blue cube (the green arrow pointing through it) and not relative to the global Y axis pointing straight up.

Relative Rotation

CFrame:ToWorldSpace() is also useful for rotating an object relative to itself, for instance rotating it 70 degrees counter-clockwise on its current Y axis and 20 degrees clockwise on its current Z axis.

Facing a Specific Surface Toward a Point

As illustrated earlier, you can make an object “look” at another object by supplying a Vector3 point as the second parameter of CFrame.new(). This can be limiting, however, since the operation is associated with the object’s front face.

Fortunately, you can use relative rotation to make any face of the object point toward a Vector3 point. Consider this example which performs two consecutive CFrame operations:

1. Point the front surface (marked by the white circle) at the target.
2. Rotate the CFrame to make the top surface (marked by the black circle) point toward the target.

Finding a Point Between Points

Using a method known as linear interpolation, often referred to as lerp, you can position a CFrame between two points. For instance, the following code positions the redBlock part directly between the greenCube and cyanCube parts, using a value of 0.7 to place it 70% of the distance away from the green cube.

These pointers should get you started on orienting objects in the game world via CFrame constructors and functions. Once you have a solid understanding of these concepts, consider exploring advanced CFrame manipulation in articles/CFrame Math Operations|CFrame Math Operations.