Use the Construction Plane tool to create custom reference planes. Some examples of creating construction planes include:
- Creating a plane at the desired location for a new sketch.
- Creating a plane that can be used as a mirroring plane.
- Creating a cutting plane for splitting bodies or making sectioned views.
Planes are infinite but are represented in the modeling space with a size based on how they are defined. For general information regarding construction geometry, visit Understanding construction geometry.
Creating a Construction Plane
To create a Construction Plane:
- Go to Add > Construction Plane.
For other methods of accessing this tool, visit Accessing tools. - Select Type and choose a construction plane type.
- Select appropriate references for the type of plane you chose (for details, see Construction Plane types).
- Select Done.
You can use Shapr3D's Adaptive User Interface as a shortcut for creating some construction plane types. To make use of this shortcut, pre-select an element in your project that will be used to define the plane, then select Add Plane from the customized menu at the left. After defining the plane, click in an empty area of the modeling space to complete the command.
Construction Plane types
You can define a Construction Plane in several different ways. Select the type of construction plane you want to define from the Type menu. The tooltip at the top of the modeling space will provide you with directions on what you need to do to create the type of plane you have chosen
Perpendicular to Curve at Point
Use the Perpendicular to Curve at Point type of construction plane to create a plane that is normal to a curve at a selected point. Follow these steps to create this type of plane:
- Select an existing curve, such as a curved edge or sketch curve.
- Drag the point that is generated to position the plane as desired.
Perpendicular to Edge at Point
Use the Perpendicular to Edge at Point type of construction plane to create a plane that is perpendicular to a linear element located at a selected point. Follow these steps to create this type of plane:
- Select a linear edge, axis, or sketch line.
- Select Next.
- Select an existing point or select anywhere in the modeling space to define a point where the plane will be located.
- Optional: Drag the point to reposition the plane. The point will snap to the grid, sketch geometry, or body geometry.
Parallel to Face at Point
Use the Parallel to Face at Point type of construction plane to create a plane that is offset from an existing planar element and located at a selected point. Follow these steps to create this type of plane:
- Select a face, plane, or closed sketch.
- Select Next.
- Select an existing point or select anywhere in the modeling space to define a point where the plane will be located.
- Optional: Drag the point to reposition the plane. The point will snap to the grid, sketch geometry, or body geometry.
Offset from Face
Use the Offset from Face type of construction plane to create a plane that is offset from an existing planar element. Follow these steps to create this type of plane:
- Select a face, plane, or closed sketch.
- Select Next.
- Define the offset distance for the new plane using these methods:
- Drag the arrows
- Enter a distance value into the dimension label.
Through Edge at Angle
Use the Through Edge at Angle type of construction plane to create a plane that is rotated about a selected linear element. Follow these steps to create this type of plane:
- Select a linear edge, axis, or sketch line.
- Select Next.
- Define the angle to position the plane using these methods:
- Drag the arrows
- Enter an angle value into the dimension label.
Midplane
Use the Midplane type of construction plane to create a plane that is centered between two selected planar elements. You can select faces, planes, or closed sketches to define this type of plane.
Through 3 Points
Use the Through 3 Points type of construction plane to create a plane that is defined by three selected points. Follow these steps to create this type of plane:
- Select existing points or select anywhere in the modeling space to define the three points for the plane.
- Optional: Drag the points to reposition the plane. The points will snap to the grid, sketch geometry, or body geometry.