Views, Workplanes, Co-ord Systems

Estimated reading: 11 minutes 3 views

All objects in 3-dimensional space are viewed in accordance to the current view. This view can be a Standard, Isometric, Dimetric or dynamically rotated view.

Objects are drawn, inserted or assembled by utilizing the current plane of the Workplane. The Workplane can be positioned in any plane, with 2 axes of the plane lying in a parallel plane, and the 3rd axis lying in a perpendicular plane.

Coordinate Systems apply either a relative or absolute coordinate factor and all spatial information can be supplied using polar or rectangular coordinates. Polar coordinates are input by defining the Length and Angle; Rectangular coordinates are input by defining their X-Y-Z values. In 3-dimensional design, it is usually preferable to define spatial values by inputting their X-Y-Z values into the coordinate fields.

Standard and Isometric Views

Local menu, right click in workspace.

Views such as Standard views (orthographic) and Isometric views are used to display the model from different viewpoints.

In the example below, a box and an adjoining wedge are shown from different standard and isometric viewpoints.

Standard Views

Top View

Side View

Front View

Isometric Views

Isometric South East View

Isometric North West

Dimetric Views

In dimetric views, 2 of the axes are visually foreshortened. In the example below, the view is set to Dimetric South East. The Workplane is shown for context.

Dimetric South East view with Workplane

Using the Mouse Wheel to Rotate the View

Most pointing devices such as the wheel mouse contains a wheel between the left and right button. This can be used to dynamically rotate the view of a 3D object in to examine the object from unusual viewpoints. Hold down the mouse wheel and move the mouse around to obtain the desired viewpoint.

Using the mouse wheel to rotate the view of the model

Exploded View

Format | Explode View

An Exploded View is available in the Format menu.

This tool creates an exploded view for a layout whereby the user is able to pull apart the component along defined X, Y and Z axes. In case of two axes, then the exploded view will be created along a plane, whereas, in the case of 3 axes being defined, the exploded view will be created in a 3D space.

A Block of the exploded view can be created in the Blocks palette.

Format > Explode View

1. Select the parts; 2. Shows the x-y-z axes orientation; 3. Select axis; 4. Select ‘Finish Selecting’; 5. Input Explode Size; 6. Finish’ 7. Exploded parts shown.

Workplanes

Local menu, right click in workspace.

To assist with the visualization of the coordinate system, Workplanes are used.

The Workplane is represented by a red, broken-line square which will be displayed in relation to the current User Coordinate System and adapts to each viewpoint.

The Workplane responds in accordance with the User CS (coordinate system) and always lies parallel to the X-Y plane of the User defined CS, with the Z axis lying in a perpendicular direction to the Workplane.

It may be helpful to visualize the Workplane as a sheet of glass upon which all 3D objects are drawn.

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.

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.

Take Note

Some frequently used Workplanes are shown below, however all Workplanes are discussed and demonstrated in detail throughout the Tutorial Sessions. Use the Index or Search tool to find a specific Workplane.

Show/Hide Workplane

This feature displays the Workplane in the model space layout. Workplanes are not applicable to paper space layout.

Most 3D design is approached with the Workplane displayed as it provides an easy spatial reference in the workspace. It allows the user to instantly understand the position of the X-Y-Z axis in order to use these coordinates effectively.

Most of the practical work in this Training Guide will encourage the user to work with the Workplane displayed.

Worked Example

Turn the view to Isometric South East, then reduce the zoom slightly.

Draw one or more 3D objects in the workspace, similar to the box and wedge shapes shown below.

Right click in the workspace and select Show/Hide Workplane from the Workplane menu panel, shown above.

The Workplane should be displayed in a similar manner to that illustrated below.

Workplane shown in Isometric South East and Front view

The Workplane adapts each time to differently selected viewpoints.

Fit Workplane to Window

By using the Fit Workplane to Window option, the border of the Workplane is accommodated within the current zoom magnification.

When using the Fit Workplane to Window feature, the entire Workplane is visible, irrespective of the current zoom magnification.

Worked Example

In the illustration below, the objects are zoomed to the extents of the workspace. The edge of the workspace is shown by the arrow.

Plane by Active View

Aligns the Workplane to the 2D drawing plane, irrespective of the User Coordinate System.

Worked Example

In the example below, the Workplane and the User CS are in alignment. The view is set to Isometric South East.

A profile can only be drawn strictly in alignment with the current Workplane, therefore a circle profile would be drawn similar to the illustration below.

By setting the Workplane to Plane by Active view, the Workplane is set to ‘normal 2D’ so that the profile can be drawn as if in a 2D view, shown below. The existing objects are not rotated in alignment to the Workplane, allowing a 2D plane to be assumed in an Isometric View.

Plane by World

Aligns the Workplane to the X-Y axes of the World Coordinate System, irrespective of any user defined coordinate system.

In the example below, the Workplane has been aligned to the sloped face of the wedge. The Workplane feature ‘By Facet‘ was used to do this.

Point 1 indicates where the Workplane intersects with the parts.

Point 2 indicates that the World CS icon shows the view is set to Isometric South.

Point 3 indicates the User CS icon, showing the newly aligned Workplane on the sloped face of the wedge. Any new profile could now only be drawn on the sloped face of the wedge.

Workplane aligned to sloped face of the wedge

When the Plane by World option is used, the Workplane is restored to a parallel plane to the X-Y axes of the World Coordinate system, shown below, thus realigning the Workplane to the View.

Plane by World aligns Workplane to X-Y axes of World & User CS

Workplane by Facet

This Workplane feature applies a Workplane to a selected facet (flat surface) of a 3D object.

The Page Up and Page Down keyboard keys can be used to cycle between the available facets of the solid.

Workplanes can be placed onto a facet for single-instance applications using the Auto Workplane by Facetool.

Example

At this stage, the box and the wedge reside on the Workplane, shown from the Front View in the illustration, below.

Parts shown in Front view

All new objects such as profiles or solids can only be drawn on the surface on which the Workplane resides. To seat the Workplane on the sloped face of the wedge, the Workplane by Facet tool is used, shown below.

Placing the Workplane on the sloped face of the wedge using Workplane by Facet

The Workplane is shown seated on the sloped face of the wedge below, from the Right side view.

Workplane shown on sloped face of wedge from Right side view

Consequently, all new objects will be drawn on the sloped face of the wedge, similar to the illustration below – shown from an Isometric view and a side view.

New object drawn on the Workplane shown from Isometric view (above left) and Right side view (above right)

Take Note

The Page Up and Page Down keys can be used to cycle between the available facets.

Left click to place the Workplane on this facet, then view the model from different viewpoints to check the position of the Workplane.

Below is an example of the model viewed from the right side, with the Workplane shown on the top of the objects.

Workplane by 3 Points

Ribbon : Workplanes | Workplane by 3 Points

Right click in the Editor | Workplane by 3 Points

This Workplane tool attaches a floating UserCS to the cursor and aligns the Workplane to the surface by defining an origin and the positive direction of the X-Y axes.The Workplane by 3 Points option is used in favor of the Workplane by Facet when a specific XYZ axis is required, particularly for dimensioning purposes.

In the illustration below, the Workplane has been placed on the highlighted face by defining the origin (lower left corner of the green rectangle), the direction on the X axis (lower right corner of the green rectangle) and the direction of the Y axis (upper left corner of the green rectangle)

The Workplane will be seated on the selected face, show below.

Coordinate System & UCS

Modes | Coord System

When drawing in either 2D or 3D Model Space, the Coordinate System represents the way in which entities are drawn and viewed in plan and elevation-type drawings.

User and World UCS (User Coordinate System)

From the Options menu, select Preferences, then activate both the Show User CS and the ShowWorldCS options.

The abbreviation CS relates to Coordinate System and is used frequently throughout this Training Guide.

Options | Program Setup | Preferences

World Coordinate System

The World Coordinate System (World CS) represents the way in which entities are drawn and viewed in standard isometric and orthographic views.

The World coordinate system is represented by an icon, shown below right.

The location of the World coordinate system icon, shown below right, remains fixed in the workspace. The default position being the lower left corner.

The world coordinate system cannot be changed ; it responds strictly to the current view of the model. When the coordinate system should be changed to create a new definition of the axes, a User Coordinate System is created.

When drawings are viewed from a Plan view, the icon, shown below will represent the X, Y and Z axis. In this example, all objects drawn horizontally will be drawn in accordance with the X axis. All objects drawn vertically will be drawn in accordance with the Y axis.

The Z axis represents the positive or negative elevation.

The World Coordinate system icons are shown in the illustrations below from different viewpoints.

Top / World Plan View

Right Side