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A workplane can be defined as passing through a flat edge or a 3D line defined by a straight edge, an axis of revolution, an LCS axis or by other 3D elements. To define a workplane of such type, the following options of the main command automenu are used:

       <5>        Select flat Edge through which Workplane passes        

       <6>        Select Axis for the Workplane        

To select a flat edge (the option ), simply move the pointer to the edge and click . To select a 3D straight line (the option ), select a 3D element suitable for defining a straight line (an axis). The list of 3D elements allowed for selection is defined by the state of the selection filters in the pulldown list of the option.

The origin of the coordinate system of the workplane being created is defined by the start point of the edge (the closing point in the case of periodical edges) or by the midpoint of the specified line. The X-axis is directed along the edge (tangent to the edge in the case of closed edges) or along the line.

Initially, the workplane being created can be rotated above the selected edge or 3D line by defining the rotation angle by a numerical value in the command property window. Alternatively, the plane rotation angle can be defined directly in the 3D scene by using the mouse. To do this, move the pointer to the image of the plane being created (the pointer will change to ), depress and, while holding down the left mouse button, move the plane to the desired position.

               

Plane rotation can also be done with respect to a plane that can be selected by using the option:

       <3>        Select Plane from which Workplane angle is measured        

This option allows defining a geometrical plane by specifying a 3D element lying on it: a flat curved edge, a path or profile, a flat face, a workplane, etc.

The workplane being created will be rotated about the edge or 3D line by the specified angle with respect to the selected element (originally, this angle is considered equal to 0°). The rotation angle can be defined by a numerical value in the property window or input directly in the 3D scene, using the dragger.

The workplane rotation angle can also be specified by selecting an additional 3D point for the plane to pass through. To define the point, use the following automenu option:

       <5>        Select first Point of Workplane position        

When selecting a 3D line or straight flat edge, there is yet another way of rotating the plane - by specifying a face to which the workplane should be made tangent. The face can be of cylindrical, conical or spherical shape. The face selection is done by the option:

       <7>        Select Surface to which Workplane is tangent        

The face won't get selected if its shape is different from the specified above, or if it cannot be made tangent to the workplane being created.

Upon selecting the face, the workplane being created will rotate about the edge or the 3D line to become tangent to the face. The workplane creation must be confirmed by the option .