Use the Construction Plane tools 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.
Tip
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.
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Creating a Construction Plane
To create a Construction Plane:
- Go to Construct > Plane and select the specific plane tool you need.
For other methods of accessing this tool, visit Accessing tools. - Select appropriate references for the type of plane you chose (for details, see Construction Plane types).
- Select Done.
Tip
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
Each construction axis type is available as a separate tool in the Construct menu. When you select a Plane tool, follow the guide at the top of the screen to complete the steps.
Offset Plane
Use the Offset Plane tool 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 sketch profile.
- Drag the arrows to define the offset distance or use the dimension label to enter a value.
- To finish, select Done.
History settings
To manage history settings for the Construction Plane action, find the step for your specific construction plane offset from face and then view or modify the following:
- Face – Click/tap Edit… or Select… to choose a different face and then select Done to finish.
- Offset – Enter a new value for your preferred offset distance.
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Size – Enter a new value for your preferred construction plane size.
Midplane
Use the Midplane tool to create a plane that is centered between two selected planar elements.
To create this type of plane:
- Select faces, planes, or sketch profiles.
- To finish, select Done.
History settings
To manage history settings for the Construction Plane action, find the step for your specific midplane construction plane and then view or modify the following:
- Face #1 – Click/tap Edit… or Select… to choose the first face and then select Done to finish.
- Face #2 – Click/tap Edit… or Select… to choose the second face and then select Done to finish.
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Size – Enter a new value for your preferred construction plane size.
Plane Through 3 Points
Use the Plane Through 3 Points tool 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 automatically generated points to reposition the plane. The points will snap to the grid, sketch geometry, or body geometry.
- To finish, select Done.
History settings
To manage history settings for the Construction Plane action, find the step for your specific construction plane through 3 points and then view or modify the following:
- Point #1 – Click/tap Edit… or Select… to choose a different first point and then select Done to finish.
- Point #2 – Click/tap Edit… or Select… to choose a different second point and then select Done to finish.
- Point #3 – Click/tap Edit… or Select… to choose a different third point and then select Done to finish.
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Size – Enter a new value for your preferred construction plane size.
Plane on Curve at Point
Use the Plane on Curve at Point tool 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 parameter as desired.
- To finish, select Done.
History settings
To manage history settings for the Construction Plane action, find the step for your specific construction plane perpendicular to curve at point and then view or modify the following:
- Curve – Click/tap Edit… or Select… to choose a different curve and then select Done to finish.
- Point – Click/tap Edit… or Select… to choose a different point and then select Done to finish.
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Size – Enter a new value for your preferred construction plane size.
Plane Perpendicular to Edge at Point
Use the Plane Perpendicular to Edge at Point tool 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. A reference point is automatically placed at a default position along the edge.
- Optional: To change the location of the point, drag the automatically generated point onto any purple snap-point of your geometry, or select a different snap point.
- To finish, select Done.
History settings
To manage history settings for the Construction Plane action, find the step for your specific construction plane perpendicular to edge at point and then view or modify the following:
- Edge – Click/tap Edit… or Select… to choose a different edge and then select Done to finish.
- Point – Click/tap Edit… or Select… to choose a different point and then select Done to finish.
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Size – Enter a new value for your preferred construction plane size.
Plane Through Edge at Angle
Use the Plane Through Edge at Angle tool 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. A default reference face and plane preview will automatically display.
- Optional: Select a different face, plane, or sketch profile to change the reference face your angle is measured from.
- Drag the arrows to define the angle or use the dimension label to enter a value.
- To finish, select Done.
History settings
To manage history settings for the Construction Plane action, find the step for your specific construction plane through edge at angle and then view or modify the following:
- Edge – Click/tap Edit… or Select… to choose a different edge and then select Done to finish.
- Face – Click/tap Edit… or Select… to choose a different face and then select Done to finish.
- Angle – Enter a new value for your preferred angle.
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Size – Enter a new value for your preferred construction plane size.
Plane Parallel to Face at Point
Use the Plane Parallel to Face at Point tool 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 sketch profile. A reference point is automatically placed at a default position on the surface.
- Optional: To change the point location, drag the automatically generated point onto any purple snap-point of your geometry, or select a different snap point.
- To finish, select Done.
History settings
To manage history settings for the Construction Plane action, find the step for your specific construction plane parallel to face at point and then view or modify the following:
- Face – Click/tap Edit… or Select… to choose a different face and then select Done to finish.
- Point – Click/tap Edit… or Select… to choose a different point and then select Done to finish.
-
Size – Enter a new value for your preferred construction plane size.