# How Do you change the rotational origin for a shape?
**URL:** https://discourse.processing.org/t/how-do-you-change-the-rotational-origin-for-a-shape/22774
**Category:** Processing.py
**Tags:** homework
**Created:** [July 22, 2020, 4:17am UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/how-do-you-change-the-rotational-origin-for-a-shape/22774 "2020-07-22T04:17:29Z")
**Posts on this page:** 4
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Learner](https://discourse.processing.org/u/Learner)
#### Post date: [July 22, 2020, 4:17am UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/how-do-you-change-the-rotational-origin-for-a-shape/22774/1 "2020-07-22T04:17:29Z")
> please format code with \ button \* [homework policy](https://discourse.processing.org/faq/#homework) \* [asking questions](https://discourse.processing.org/t/2147)
Hello, I am learning processing through this intro course and we have an assignment where we need to make a triangle that spins and follows your mouse. I have figured all of the code except, because **rotate()** operates around the origin which I have set at **translate (mouseX, mouseY)**, it rotates around a vertices. I need to have the rotational origin on the side of the shape.
Here is my code, I have done so much research for the past 5 hours and I have finally decided to ask for help. I have no idea ho to fix this problem.
angle = 0
def setup ():
size (600, 600)
def draw ():
background (0)
global angle
```
translate (mouseX , mouseY)
rotate (radians (angle))
fill(255)
beginShape ()
vertex(-50, 50)
vertex (50, 50)
vertex (0, 0)
endShape ()
angle += 0.5
```
---
### Author:  [@Chrisir](https://discourse.processing.org/u/Chrisir)
#### Post date: [July 22, 2020, 4:46am UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/how-do-you-change-the-rotational-origin-for-a-shape/22774/2 "2020-07-22T04:46:54Z")
After rotate make a 2nd translate that is with -50,0
---
### Author:  [@glv](https://discourse.processing.org/u/glv)
#### Post date: [July 22, 2020, 1:38pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/how-do-you-change-the-rotational-origin-for-a-shape/22774/3 "2020-07-22T13:38:00Z")
Hello,
Consider centering the shape.
You have an x and y in your vertices and you can add an offset to these to center it.
I only centered the 0, 0 on the canvas so you could visualize the point of rotation:
```auto
angle = 0
def setup():
size(200, 200);
def draw ():
background (0)
global angle
translate (width/2, height/2) #0,0 is now center of canvas
rotate (radians (angle))
fill(255)
beginShape ()
vertex(-50, 50)
vertex (50, 50)
vertex (0, 0)
endShape ()
angle += 0.5
```
> [@Chrisir](#):
>
> After rotate make a 2nd translate that is with -50,0
This is not the correct axis or value but a place to start.
It will work with the correct values; @Learner I will leave this with you to explore.
Some resources here:
> **[Python Mode for Processing](https://py.processing.org/)**
>
> Python Mode for Processing extends the Processing Development Environment with the Python programming language.
``:)‘’
---
### Author:  [@Learner](https://discourse.processing.org/u/Learner)
#### Post date: [July 22, 2020, 5:17pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/how-do-you-change-the-rotational-origin-for-a-shape/22774/4 "2020-07-22T17:17:17Z")
Hey! Thanks so much. I was able to figure it out! Your guy’s help is very much appreciated.