Creating Planes

You can create planes using various methods.

This task shows you how to:

Before you begin: Create a 3D shape containing geometric elements.

A button is available besides the Plane type to prevent an automatic change of the type while selecting the geometry. Simply click it so that the lock turns red . For instance, if you choose the Offset From Plane type, you are not able to select a line. May you want to select a line, choose another type in the combo list. The status of this button is stored as the default value: therefore, if it is red and you launch the same command again or another command owning this button, the button will be red too.

Create a Plane Offset From another Plane

You can create a plane parallel to a reference plane offset at a distance.

  1. Click Plane .

    The Plane Definition dialog box appears.

  2. In the Plane type list, select the Offset from plane plane type.



    Important: Once you have defined the plane, it is represented by a green square symbol, which you can move using the graphic manipulator.

  3. In the Reference box, select a plane and enter the value in the Offset box.

    A plane is displayed offset from the reference plane.

  4. Click Reverse Direction tab to reverse the change the offset direction, or click on the arrow in the geometry.

  5. Select the Repeat object after OK check box if you want to create more offset planes.

    In this case, the Object Repetition dialog box is displayed, and you enter the number of instances to be created before clicking OK.



    As many planes as indicated in the dialog box are created (including the one you were currently creating), each separated from the initial plane by a multiple of the Offset value.



  6. Click OK to create the plane.

    The plane (identified as Plane.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

Create a Plane Parallel to a Plane and through a Point

You can create a plane parallel to a reference plane through a point.

  1. Click Plane .

    The Plane Definition dialog box appears.

  2. In the Plane type list, select the Parallel through point plane type.



  3. In the Reference box, select a plane.

  4. In the Point box, select a point.

    A plane is displayed parallel to the reference plane and passing through the selected point.

  5. Click OK to create the plane.

    The plane (identified as Plane.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

Create a plane Normal to another Plane

You can create a plane at an angle to a reference plane based on a rotation axis.

  1. Click Plane .

    The Plane Definition dialog box appears.

  2. In the Plane type list, select the Angle/Normal to plane plane type.



  3. In the Reference box, select a plane.

  4. In the Rotation axis box, select an axis or a line.

    This axis can be any line or an implicit element, such as a cylinder axis for example. To select the latter press and hold the Shift key while moving the pointer over the element, then click it.

  5. In the Angle box, enter the value.



    The plane is displayed such as its center corresponds to the projection of the center of the reference plane on the rotation axis. It is oriented at the specified angle to the reference plane.

  6. Select the Projection rotation axis on reference plane check box, if you want to project the rotation axis onto the reference plane.

    If the reference plane is not parallel to the rotation axis, the created plane is rotated around the axis to have the appropriate angle with regard to reference plane.

  7. Select the Repeat object after OK check box if you want to create more planes at an angle from the initial plane.

    In this case, the Object Repetition dialog box is displayed, and you enter the number of instances to be created before clicking OK.



    As many planes as indicated in the dialog box are created (including the one you were currently creating), each separated from the initial plane by a multiple of the Angle value.

    Here we created five planes at an angle of 20 degrees.

  8. Click OK to create the plane.

    The plane (identified as Plane.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

Create a Plane Through Three Points

You can create a plane passing through three points.

  1. Click Plane .

    The Plane Definition dialog box appears.

  2. In the Plane type list, select the Through three points plane type.



  3. Select three points.

    A plane passing through the three points is displayed. You can move it by dragging it to the desired location.

  4. Click OK to create the plane.

    The plane (identified as Plane.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

Create a Plane Through Two Lines

You can create a plane passing through two points.

  1. Click Plane .

    The Plane Definition dialog box appears.

  2. In the Plane type list, select the Through two lines plane type.



  3. Select two lines.

    The plane passing through the two line directions is displayed. When these two lines are not coplanar, the vector of the second line is moved to the first line location to define the plane's second direction.

  4. Select the Forbid non coplanar lines check box to specify that both lines be in the same plane.

  5. Click OK to create the plane.

    The plane (identified as Plane.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

Create a Plane Through a Point and a Line

You can create a plane passing through a point and a line.

  1. Click Plane .

    The Plane Definition dialog box appears.

  2. In the Plane type list, select the Through point and line plane type.



  3. In the Point box, select a reference point.

  4. In the Line box, select the reference line.

    A plane passing through the point and the line is displayed.

  5. Click OK to create the plane.

    The plane (identified as Plane.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

Create a Plane Through a Planar Curve

You can create a plane passing through a planar curve.

  1. Click Plane .

    The Plane Definition dialog box appears.

  2. In the Plane type list, select the Through planar curve plane type.



  3. In the Curve box, select a planar curve.

    A plane containing the curve is displayed.

  4. Click OK to create the plane.

    The plane (identified as Plane.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

Create a Plane Normal to a Curve

You can create a plane normal to a curve at a specified points..

  1. Click Plane .

    The Plane Definition dialog box appears.

  2. In the Plane type list, select the Normal to curve plane type.



  3. In the Curve box, select a reference curve.

  4. In the Point box, select a reference point.

    By default, the curve's middle point is selected.

    Tip: It can be selected outside the curve.
    A plane is displayed normal to the curve with its origin at the specified point. The normal is computed at the point on the curve that is the nearest to the selected point.

  5. Click OK to create the plane.

    The plane (identified as Plane.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

Create a Plane Tangent to a Surface

You can create a plane tangent to a surface passing through a specified point.

  1. Click Plane .

    The Plane Definition dialog box appears.

  2. In the Plane type list, select the Tangent to surface plane type.



  3. In the Surface box, select a reference surface.

  4. In the Point box, select a reference point.

    A plane is displayed tangent to the surface at the specified point.



  5. Click OK to create the plane.

    The plane (identified as Plane.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

Create a Plane Using an Equation

You can create a plane by defining the componenets of the equation of the plane.

  1. Click Plane .

    The Plane Definition dialog box appears.

  2. In the Plane type list, select the Equation plane type.



  3. Enter the A, B, C, D components of the Ax + By + Cz = D

    plane equation.

  4. Select a point to position the plane through this point, you are able to modify A, B, and C components, the D component becomes grayed.

    When the command is launched at creation, the initial value in the field is the current local axis system. If no local axis system is current, the field is set to Default. Whenever you select a local axis system, A, B, C, and D values are changed with respect to the selected axis system so that the location of the plane is not changed. This is not the case with values valuated by formulas: if you select an axis system, the defined formula remains unchanged.

  5. Click Normal to compass to position the plane perpendicular to the compass direction.



  6. Click Parallel to screen to position the plane parallel to the screen current view.



  7. Click OK to create the plane.

    The plane (identified as Plane.xxx) is added to the specification tree.

Create a Mean Plane Through Points

You can create a plane defined as the mean through three or more points.

  1. Click Plane .

    The Plane Definition dialog box appears.

  2. In the Plane type list, select the Mean through points plane type.



  3. Select three or more points to display the mean plane through these points.



    It is possible to edit the plane by first selecting a point in the dialog box list then choosing an option to either:


    • Remove the selected point
    • Replace the selected point by another point.

  4. Click OK to create the plane.

    The plane (identified as Plane.xxx) is added to the specification tree.