Sensor Axes Representation (LiDAR, Cameras)

Cameras in Isaac Sim are subject to three different types of axes definition, depending on the context of use. Here, we introduce the three conventions and how it’s used in different contexts.

World axes

The world axes uses the +X forward, +Z up convention. The origin of the world prim is always represented in the World axes. The camera prim, represented in the world axes, is shown in the figure below.

../../_images/camera_frames_v2.002.png

USD Axes

In the computer graphics community, the USD convention is used. The USD axes uses the +Y up, -Z forward convention. In an Isaac Sim application, the Property panel displays the poses of objects in the USD stage. The poses of all objects in the stage are displayed in the world axes, with the exception of camera prims, which is displayed in the +Y up, -Z forward convention. Therefore, this convention is referred to as USD Axes in the context of camera prims. The camera prim, represented in the USD axes convention, is shown in the figure below.

../../_images/camera_frames_v2.001.png

ROS Axes

The ROS axes uses the -Y up, +Z forward convention. Therefore, any camera data including transforms published to ROS ( ROS Cameras ) or ROS2( ROS2 Cameras ) will be represented in this convention. The camera prim, represented in the ROS axes convention, is shown in the figure below.

../../_images/camera_frames_v2.003.png

Transforms between these frames

For observing poses of camera prims in the proper axes convention, please refer to the Camera Inspector tutorial.