Work Planes Overview

Use work planes to define a part, position geometry, and define relationships between part features.

In Part Builder, a work plane is a modeling feature that defines the location of a plane in three-dimensional (3D) space. It is an infinite construction plane that can be placed at any orientation in space. It can be offset from an existing work plane, or it can reference 3D geometry. Using a work plane, you define the geometry, dimensions, constraints, and profiles that make up the part model. Work planes help you to place geometry that would otherwise be difficult to position. By constraining geometry to work planes, you can control their location. Work planes help you to define relationships between features and provide control when placing features.

A work plane is displayed as a rectangular two-dimensional (2D) object. The work plane display is only a visual representation of the infinite plane and cannot be moved or resized. However, you can control its visibility for ease of viewing the model. Offset and reference work planes are user-defined and provide the flexibility to be moved and redefined.

When you right-click on a work plane in the part browser, it is highlighted in the modeling area. You can change the view direction to match that of the selected work plane when adding geometry or dimensions by using the Set View option on the Work Plane context menu.

Part Builder provides three default work planes that intersect at the origin of the X, Y, and Z axes. The default work planes help you to get started with modeling a part. Generally, it is best to start your modeling in the top work plane, and add others as needed. You can add work planes at any time during the modeling process. Each work plane has its own internal coordinate system. Work planes can be created on any plane in the current user coordinate system (UCS) or in the World Coordinate System (WCS).

The following preset work planes can be added to a model from the Create Work Plane dialog box:

Default

Creates the standard ZX, YZ, and XY work planes of the WCS.

Custom

Creates a work plane that is not available by the preset work planes. The work plane has user-defined values for the X and Y direction and the origin of the plane in the current UCS.

Offset

Creates a work plane that is offset by a specified distance from a selected source work plane. For more information, see Offset and Reference Work Planes.

Reference

Creates a work plane that is attached to the extents of a modifier feature. For more information, see Offset and Reference Work Planes.

Top

Creates a work plane that matches the standard Top 3D view.

Bottom

Creates a work plane that matches the standard Bottom 3D view.

Front

Creates a work plane that matches the standard Front 3D view.

Back

Creates a work plane that matches the standard Back 3D view.

Left

Creates a work plane that matches the standard Left 3D view.

Right

Creates a work plane that matches the standard Right 3D view.