Using Offset Planes

You can define a plane to use as a temporary reference for positioning other elements using the Offset Plane command.

Before you begin: Have a scenario open.

  1. Click Offset Plane .

    The Define Plane dialog box is displayed. It provides sophisticated ways to define a plane by means of origin, orientation and other parameters.

  2. Use the Mode buttons to define the plane:

    • Click Define Plane to redefine the plane as well as the origin by clicking once on the face.
    • Click Define Plane using Compass to redefine the plane using the compass.
    • Click Define 3-point Plane to define the plane by clicking on any three points with your pointer. The connector is placed on the first point you click.
    • Click Define Line-Point Plane to select the plane by clicking on a point and a line, like an edge. The connector is placed on the first point you click.
    • Click the Define Line-Line to select the plane by clicking on two lines. The plane is defined by the first line selected. But if the two lines are parallel the plane is defined as the plane in which both lines exist.
    • Click Define Plane at Center of Circle to select the plane by clicking three points on the edge of a circle. This method is used for multi-CAD documents, usually for CGR circles. You can click at points where two lines meet or in the center of a face. The Z axis of the plane manipulator is placed according to the right hand rule. If you click clockwise the Z axis points into the object. If you click counter clockwise the Z axis points out from the object.
    • Click Define Plane at Product Origin and then the object to place the plane manipulator on the origin of the object. The plane manipulator axis matches that of the product.
    • Click Define Orientation to change the orientation. Click the button and then click a point or a line. If you click a point the X axis that points to it. If you click a line the X axis it becomes parallel to the line.



  3. Use the Move Origin buttons to define the origin.

    • Click Define Origin at Plane or Compass to define the origin using the compass or plane command. You use the compass or plane as the base plane along which the origin can be selected.
    • Click Define Origin at Point or Center of Face to define the origin by clicking on a point or face.
    • Click Define Origin at Center of Circle to define the origin by clicking at three points. The origin is placed in the center of an imaginary circle drawn using those three points. The plane and orientation doesn't change when using this command.

  4. Click OK once you are done defining the plane.

    The white rectangle changes to a blue rectangle, and remains displayed on the reference element, as shown below.



    The reference plane can now be used as a reference to position other elements. For example this plane is used as reference when you use Align Sides command.

    When you are done with positioning and do not need the reference plane any more, you can destroy it by launching the Define Plane command and clicking Cancel in the dialog box.