MechDesigner Reference & User Interface > 2.2 Mechanism-Editor: > Model elements

What is a Plane?

A Plane is a flat surface, defined by its Local XYZ-axes. The XY axes are coplanar with each Plane. The Z-axis follows the usual Right-Hand-Rule.

Use Visibility toolbar > Show Solids in Mechanisms to see Planes in Mechanism-Editors.

Add Plane (Mechanism-Editor)

FORMAT 1: Add Plane to a Plane

STEP 1:Start the Add Plane command

Add menu > Add Plane

Model elements toolbar > Add Plane

FORMAT 1: Add Plane to Plane

The Add Plane dialog opens, immediately

In the Mechanism-Editor, the default format is:

New Plane Name - Plane6

Plane Parameters

Plane Definition - (default format)

Offset from Plane (default definition)

Parameter to define the new Plane :

Distance to New Plane

Element box - the name of the element(s) that are referenced by the new Plane.

STEP 2:Click a Plane.

Click a Plane in the graphic-area or the Assembly-Tree.

When you click a Plane, it shows in the Element box of the Add Plane dialog.

A preview of the new Plane is also in the graphic-area immediately.

STEP 3:Edit the Parameter

Edit Distance to New Plane

Distance to new Plane - to Plane 6 from Plane5

STEP 4.Complete the Add Plane command

Click in the Add-Plane dialog

Result

The new Plane is in the graphic-area and Assembly-Tree.

It is on Local Z-axis of the Plane you select to add the new Plane.

The new Plane has its own Local XYZ-axes.

FORMAT 2: Add Plane to a Line (CAD-Line, Part's X-axis or Y-axis)

STEP 1:Start the Add Plane command

Add menu > Add Plane

Model elements toolbar > Add Plane

FORMAT 1: Add Plane to Plane

The Add Plane dialog opens, immediately

In the Mechanism-Editor, the default format assumes you will select a Plane.

New Plane Name - Plane6

Plane Parameters

Plane Definition - (default format)

Offset from Plane (default definition)

Parameter to define the new Plane :

Distance to New Plane

Element box - the name of the element(s) that are referenced by the new Plane.

STEP 2:Click a Line*.

Click a Line* in the graphic-area

* Line, CAD-Line, or a Part's X-axis or Y-axis

When you click a Line, it shows in the Element box with the Mechanism-Plane (see below).

A preview of the new Plane is also in the graphic-area immediately.

Note: The default Rotate around X-axis parameter is 90.

FORMAT 2: Add Plane to Line

STEP 3.Edit the parameters

Angle - rotate the new Plane around its active X–axis

and

Angle - rotate the new Plane around its active Y–axis

and

Angle - rotate the new Plane around its active Z–Axis

Optional (for Bevel Gearboxes)

Move Plane to end-Point - move the new Plane to the end of the Line in the Element box.

If you enable Move Plane to end-Point, (and the Rotate around X,Y,Z parameters are zero(0)), the Local X-axis is from the end-Point to the start-Point, the Local Y-axis is on the new Plane, and the Local Z-axis follows the Right-Hand-Rule.

STEP 4.Complete the Add Plane command

Click in the Add-Plane dialog

Result

The new Plane is in the graphic-area and Assembly-Tree.

The new Plane has its own Local XYZ-axes.

Video:

Video: Add Plane to a Line, CAD-Line, or the X- or Y-axis of a Part