ruler direction to match cartesian system

[b squires]

can I change the rulers in Illustrator to match cartesian values - ie positive values are to the right and up, negative values are to the left and down. When I move an object, positive values will move it to the right and up, negative values will move it to the left and down

[Ton Frederiks]

This script from Carlos Canto may help:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/illustrator-discussions/js-change-cs5-ruler-origin-to-bottom-left-lik...

[CarlosCanto]

13 years later and still rocking @Ton Frederiks 

[Ton Frederiks]

The script works for new documents, for existing ones you need to double click the intersection of the rulers to reset the origin.

[Ton Frederiks]

Yes, it still rocks, @CarlosCanto !

[b squires]

Thank You guys - I installed the Adobe ExtendScript toolkit, pasted the simple text from Carlos, saved the script and loaded it in Illustrator through File/Scripts/Other script and presto Cartesian system rules.

I should have asked this question when we moved to CS5 - my world would have been so much better.

I assume that when Illustrator updates, I may have to re-load the script, so I'll keep it handy.

You guys are the best!!!

[Ton Frederiks]

Good to hear that helped.

[b squires]

I may have commented to soon. Illustrator (2025) is fighting Carlos' script. It still wants to move a positive value down horizontally with the move tool (and sometimes does) regardless of the script. I have to watch very carefully to ensure it actually moves it up. Note - a move in the wrong direction may be a costly mistake for me!

[Ton Frederiks]

I see what you mean, the Transform panel works correct, but the Move tool moves the objects up and down when you change both Horizontal and Vertical values.

[Mike_Gondek]

Try dragging the ruler origin to bottom left. First I would drag guides as the ruler origin does not snap, unless you have guides to snap to. Guides will snap to edge of artboard if you hold down shift.