Plane in Model-Editor

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Plane in Model-Editor

What is a Plane?

Generally, a “plane” is a flat surface, defined by its Local XYZ-axes.

The Plane element is coplanar with its own XY axes. The Z-axis follows the usual Right-Hand-Rule.

You add Planes to arrange the layout of your machine.

You add Mechanism-Editors to Planes.

Add Plane (Model-Editor)

In the Model-Editor, you offset a new Plane along the Z-axis of a Plane you select.

STEP 1:Start the Add Mechanism command:

MD-Toolbar-Model-AddPlane-A

MD-Icon-AddMechanismEditor

1.Click Mechanism menu > Add Plane

OR

1.Click Model elements toolbar > Add Plane

Add Plane dialog:  FORMAT 1: Add Plane to Plane

Add Plane dialog:
FORMAT 1: Add Plane to Plane

The Add Plane dialog opens immediately.

If you have not pre-selected a Plane, we select for you the Front Plane as the default reference element.

In the Model-Editor, the format of the Add Plane dialog is:

Red-14-1 Name - of the new Plane, (Plane4 in the dialog) and the element that is the parent to the Plane you select (Model in the dialog)

Plane Parameters

Red-14-2 Plane Definition :

Offset from Plane (always when in the Model-Editor)

Red-14-3 Parameter to define the new Plane :

Distance to New Plane [mm]

The distance from the reference element, Red-14-4 (Front Plane, in this image)

Red-14-4 Element box - the reference element for the new Plane (default Front)

STEP 2: Select a Plane

Click a Plane in the Assembly-Tree

Click a Plane in the Assembly-Tree

1.Click a Plane in the graphics-area

or

1.Click a Plane in the Assembly-Tree

When you click a Plane, it shows in the Element boxRed-14-4 of the Add Plane dialog

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

STEP 3: Edit the Parameter

MD-ADD-PPLANE2PLANE-MECH-B

There is one parameter to edit:

Edit the Distance to New PlaneRed-14-3

The Distance to new Plane is from the reference Plane in the Element-boxRed-14-4.

STEP 4: Complete the Command

New Plane in the Graphics-Area

New Plane in the Graphics-Area

To complete the command:

Click MD-OK-tiny-11-15 Red-14-5in the Add-Plane dialog

 

 

RESULT

New Plane in the Graphics-Area

New Plane in the Graphics-Area

Result

The new PlaneRed-14-2 is in the graphics-area and the Assembly-Tree.

The The new Plane has shows its XYZ-axes.

The XY-axes are coplanar with the new Plane.

 

 

Note:

If you cannot see the new Plane try:

View menu > Zoom-Out ( or use your mouse scroll wheel)

View menu > Spin model (or use the keyboard arrow keys)

View menu (or Display toolbar) > Display Planes

Videos (YouTube):

Video: Add a Plane in the Model-Editor

Add Plane in Model-Editor