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Manual / Part

Reference Plane and Axis

Create offset reference planes, and reference axes from a hole, an edge or two points.

Edition: Standard+

What it does

Plane creates a reference plane parallel to a main plane or a face. Use it to draw sketches at different levels (for example for a Loft). Axis creates a reference axis for Revolve, Circular Pattern and Mate.

Where to find it

  • Model › References › Plane / Axis
  • Right-click a face › Insert Offset Plane from This Face…
  • Right-click Planes in Design Explorer › Insert Plane…

PLANE box
PLANE box

Plane

  1. Click Plane.
  2. Choose Offset from (XY / YZ / ZX / a reference plane), or click a flat face.
  3. Enter the Distance and click OK. You get Plane<n>. Double-click it to start a sketch on that plane.
Option Default Meaning
Offset from XY Base plane
Picked face – A flat face (used instead of the base plane)
Distance 20 mm Offset distance

To change the distance later, right-click the plane › Edit Plane… (Offset box). Features that use this plane recalculate.

Axis

AXIS box
AXIS box

  1. Click Axis (a body must exist).
  2. Click the wall or edge of a hole/cylinder (the axis of the hole), a straight edge, or two vertices.
  3. Click OK. You get Axis<n>.

See also