When the MUX builder specifies ST_STARTPOS locations for objects in space, the coordinates are given in cartesian form - a simple (X,Y,Z) triple. The coodinates are signed integers, and depending on your operating system and CPU can be anything between -2^63 and +2^63. However, it is advisable to keep objects fairly close to the (0,0,0) point as the boundary effects on sensors and range calculations when the objects approach the limits of space are not well defined.

Then the players are presented coordinates, they are given a bearing, an elevation and a range. These three numbers are essentially polar coodinates for their position relative to the (0,0,0) point.

The valid range of bearings is from 0 to 359 degrees, and elevations from +90 to -90 degrees.

The following diagrams show the axis definitions for the cartesian coordinates, a top view of the X-Y plane showing how bearings are calculated, and a diagram showing elevations.

Let us place some objects in space as follows, and show their bearings and elevations from the origin (0,0,0):