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# transform

A component that manages this object’s spatial transform and its changes over time.

```
var transform: (any MDLTransformComponent)? { get set }
```

## Discussion

A transform defines the local coordinate space for an object’s content—that is, its position, orientation, shear, and scale—relative to the coordinate space of the object’s parent. The [`MDLTransformComponent`](/documentation/ModelIO/MDLTransformComponent) protocol defines a general interface for objects that manage transforms, including time-based transform information for assets that include animation data. By default, Model I/O uses the [`MDLTransform`](/documentation/ModelIO/MDLTransform) object for this property; however, you can also use a custom class that adopts the [`MDLTransformComponent`](/documentation/ModelIO/MDLTransformComponent) protocol to support alternative ways of calculating or storing transform data.

> Note:
> Reading or writing this property is equivalent to calling the ``doc://com.apple.modelio/documentation/ModelIO/MDLObject/componentConforming(to:)`` or ``doc://com.apple.modelio/documentation/ModelIO/MDLObject/setComponent(_:for:)`` method with the ``doc://com.apple.modelio/documentation/ModelIO/MDLTransformComponent`` protocol.

---

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