Work Plane

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

To define a work plane

• Select a view that matches the desired work plane or that allows you to click the points defining the work plane.

1. Click Work Plane (How).
   

   Activate Work Plane in one of the following ways

   • Menu bar: View

   • Toolbar: Special
2. Define the origin of the work plane as follows:
   • Click a defined point or
   • enter its X, Y and Z coordinates at the keyboard.
3. Define the position of the work plane in space:
   • If you want to use the plane you are currently viewing as the work plane, click Yes.
   • If you want to define the work plan freely, click No and enter two direction points for the X direction and two direction points for the Y direction.

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

4. To quit the work plane, select a differernt view, e.g. Plan.

To modify an active work plane

• Entering a new origin is the same as defining a new work plane.
• If you enter a value for DZ, the origin of the work plane is moved along the Z-axis.