Workplane

Workplane

To assist with the visualization of the x-y-z coordinate system, a Workplane is used.

The default Workplane responds to the current view but can be changed to a user-defined position.

Only one Workplane at a time can be displayed in model space, however a Workplane which has been specifically applied to a unique surface can be saved and retrieved at a later stage. This is referred to as a User Workplane.

Workplanes can only be placed on surfaces or planes, never on curved surfaces. They can also be aligned by placing their X-Y-Z points on specific points in the workspace.

The origin of the Workplane is at the point where the x and y axis intersect, shown below.

Workplane origin shown at intersection of x and y axis

The Workplane is a dynamic object which can be moved around the workspace using the origin point shown below. The Workplane can also be dynamically rotated in the workspace, shown below right.

The Workplane is represented by a 2 point coordinate arrow which represents the x-y plane. When viewed from an isometric viewpoint, an axis is provided which represents the z coordinate, shown below left.

Workplane shown from an Isometric view	Rotating the Workplane x axis

Notice how the directional axis of the x handle, above right corresponds to the color of x-axis

The Axis

The axis, shown below is a visual indicator representing the view of objects in a 3-dimensional plane.

Unlike the Workplane which is a dynamic, user-defined object, the axis responds only to the current view, providing the x-y-z orientation which relates exclusively to the current view.

Axis (left) and Workplane (right) shown from an Isometric view

Isometric View

View | Isometric View

When viewing a 3D solid in isometric view, the x-y axis is rotated and the z axis appears perpendicular to the Workplane. The faces and edges on each axis will be parallel to each other.

Right click in the editor and select View > Isometric.

Displaying the Workplane

Select Workplane > View Workplane to display the Workplane in the editor.

The result is shown below.

Creating Extrusions

Draw | Solid from Curves | Extrude Solid

This extrusion tool sweeps a 2D profile in a plane perpendicular to the Workplane to create a 3D object.

A bi-directional extrusion can be created which creates an equidistant above and below Workplane extrusion.

Closed profiles only can be extruded.

When closed objects within the profile are selected as part of the profile, the volume of the extruded inner objects will be subtracted from the primary solid.

A below-workplane extrusion of the sketch will be created to a distance of 15. The volume of the inner extruded circles will automatically be subtracted from the body of the solid during the extrusion.

Select the Extrude Solid tool from the toolbar or use Draw | Solid from Curves | Extrude Solid.

From the Edit bar, set the option to Distance, shown below.

Use the keyboard TAB key to access the Distance field and input -15. This will create the extrusion below the current Workplane.

Using the window selection method, select the objects for extrusion, shown below left.

Selecting the sketch for extrusion	Extrusion of -15 produces a below-workplane extrusion. Profiles are still visible on top face.

Right click in the editor and select DeSelect.

TAB to the Distance field and input a new extrusion value of 20. Make sure the values in the dZ and Distance fields show the same value, shown below.

Select the larger circle shown below. Use the Ambiguity PopupThe Ambiguity popup present choices of all objects within the pick region, allowing the user to select the correct part, face or object. The display of this popup is controlled using Preferences > Select > Enable Ambiguity Popup. to select the Circle, shown below.

Selecting the circle for extrusion

The result is shown below.

Both extrusions shown in transparency mode | view rotated for illustrative clarity

Transparency Mode

Using the Transparency visual mode produces a glass-like appearance, allowing inner objects to be viewed clearly. Position the cursor anywhere over the model, right click an select Transparency.

In the illustration below, the model on the left is viewed in Transparency visual mode.

Model above left shown in Transparency visual mode