Work Plane

Task area Work Environment

You can use this tool to define a local coordinate system freely in space.
A work plane, which allows you to design as if you were working in plan, is a useful aid when it comes to dealing with difficult situations (for example, inclined surfaces or planes).

To define a work plane

• Select a view that matches the work plane or where you can click the points defining the work plane.

1. Click Work Plane (How).
   

   Activate Work Plane in one of the following ways

   • Actionbar:Task area Work Environment

   • Menu bar: View
2. Define the origin of the work plane as follows:
   • Click a defined point.
     When you click a point in plan view, the z-coordinate is missing.
   • Enter the x-coordinate, y-coordinate, and z-coordinate as values.
3. Define the position of the work plane:
   • If you want to match the work plane from the current view (the plane that is perpendicular to the viewing direction of the current view at the origin specified), click Yes.
   • If you want to define the work plan freely, click No and enter two direction points for the x-direction and y-direction each.
     
     Note: The height of the work plane is defined by the height of the origin, even if you enter the direction lines at different heights.

     The z-axis is perpendicular to the xy plane at the origin. The view changes in the active viewport; the work plane is now the plan view.

     All entries you make apply to the axes of the defined work plane.

4. To leave the work plane, select a different view, for example, Plan.

To modify the current work plane

• The work plane is still active.

1. Click Work Plane (How).
2. Origin of work plane or raise work plane by dz
   • When you define a new origin, the procedure is the same as for defining a new work plane.
   • When you enter a value for dz in the dialog line, the origin of the work plane will be moved along the z-axis.

Tips on the work plane

• The coordinates of the origin define the height of the work plane. Click the origin in an isometric view if you want to match the x-coordinate, y-coordinate, and z-coordinate.
• If you enter the direction points of the x-axis in plan view, the work plane is always horizontal. So, it is easier to imagine the work plane in three-dimensional space.
• If it makes sense, the origin and the first points of the x-axis and y-axis should be identical.

Define the positive direction of the x-axis so that it is to the right; therefore, click the left point first. Define the positive direction of the y-axis so that it is upward; therefore, click the bottom point first. As a result, you look at the work plane from above; the positive z-direction points upward.