diff --git a/src/mesh/api.js b/src/mesh/api.js
index 2dfa4407..9c615224 100644
--- a/src/mesh/api.js
+++ b/src/mesh/api.js
@@ -51,8 +51,7 @@ let selection = {
 
     rotate(dx = 0, dy = 0, dz = 0) {
         for (let s of selected) {
-            let { x, y, z } = s.rotation();
-            s.rotation(x + dx, y + dy, z + dz);
+            s.rotate(dx, dy, dz);
         }
         return selection;
     },
diff --git a/src/mesh/object.js b/src/mesh/object.js
index a49458a1..94f2976b 100644
--- a/src/mesh/object.js
+++ b/src/mesh/object.js
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ mesh.object = class MeshObject {
         moto.Space.update();
     }
 
+    // use with caution. frames of reference interfere.
     rotation() {
         let rot = this.object().rotation;
         if (arguments.length === 0) {
@@ -66,6 +67,12 @@ mesh.object = class MeshObject {
         moto.Space.update();
     }
 
+    rotate(x = 0, y = 0, z = 0) {
+        if (x) this.object().rotateOnWorldAxis(new THREE.Vector3(1,0,0), x);
+        if (y) this.object().rotateOnWorldAxis(new THREE.Vector3(0,1,0), y);
+        if (z) this.object().rotateOnWorldAxis(new THREE.Vector3(0,0,1), z);
+    }
+
     position() {
         let pos = this.object().position;
         if (arguments.length === 0) {