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Finding Orthogonal Vectors
A vector has an infinite number of orthogonal vectors. Do you want any one of these vectors or are there further requirements not mentioned in the original post?
Author
How do you generate an orthogonal vector in 3D given you only know one vector (i.e. I know the direction the object is moving, but I want to generate a vector that's perpendicular to that vector). If convoluted math is involved, give it to me straight, I can take it.
For example
v1 (DOT) v2 = 0 gives orthogonal vectors
so you get
v1 = (a, b, c)
v2 = (x, y, z)
so ax + by + cz = 0.
This can be trivially solved by setting
any of
x=y=1 and so z = -(a+b)/c (if c != 0)
x=z=1 so y = -(a+c)/b (if b!=0)
y=z=1 so x = -(b+c)/a (if a!=0)
Once you've done this once,
the third vector can be generated by taking the cross of the two vectors, defined by
(bz-cy, cx-az, ay-bx) = (a1, b1, c1)
Anyway,
HTH.
signing off,
mikey
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