Moving the Workplane

In this Task

• The Workplane will be placed on the top facet of the 3D object.
• The larger circle will be placed on the Workplane so that it is seated on the top face of the 3D object.

Associated Tasks

• Adjusting the alignment of the Workplane.

Before you Start

• The view is set to Isometric South East.
• The Workplane is displayed.
• The model is viewed in Wireframe visual style.

Take Note

• Objects being moved to the workplane are generally seated in a parallel plane. Objects which reside in another plane to the workplane will be rotated to form an alignment with the workplane.
• 2D Objects can only be moved to the Workplane if the Selector properties are set to 3D. Use the Toggle 2D/3D switch at the base of the editor after the object is selected.

Moving the Workplane

The Workplane is designed such that it can be applied to any plane or facet of a 3D object.

Objects such as profiles can be placed directly onto the Workplane using a parallel plane. This allows an object to move onto the Workplane without changing the original plane in which it was drawn.

Selector 2D/3D Properties

This toggle found on the status bar at the base of the workspace allows the selector to switch between 2D and 3D mode.By right clicking in the editor and selecting Selector 2D (or 3D) Properties, the option can be set to 2D, 3D or 2D/3D depending on the selected object.In order to move a 2D object onto the Workplane, the Selector needs to be set to 3D mode. Use the toggle at the base of the workspace to switch between the 2 modes.

In this task, the circle shown selected below will be moved in a directly parallel plane so that it is seated on the top facet of the model. The Place on Workplane tool will be used to do this. The circle will be selected as a 3D object.

Turn the view to Isometric South East, then select the larger circle. If the circle has been selected as a 2D object, use the 2D/3D toggle to switch the selection mode to 3D. The selector shell properties should be the same as those in the illustrations below.

Circle shown on base of object, above left. Selector Properties set to 3D.

Workplane placed on top of object and circle moved onto Workplane, above right.

Workplane by Facet

Right click in editor

This Workplane tool applies a Workplane to a selected facet (flat surface) of a 3D object.The Page Up and Page Down keys can be used to cycle between the available facets of the part.

The Workplane will be moved in a parallel plane so that it is seated on the top surface of the model, shown below.

Top surface showing intended position for Workplane

The circle is still selected. From the Workplane menu or the local menu select Workplane by Facet shown at the start of this Task.

Move the cursor over the top surface of the model until the Workplane outline is shown on the top face. Make sure the axes are in an upright position, shown by the vertical arrow in the illustration below.

Workplane seated on top facet; Axes orientated upwards

Left click when the position of the Workplane resembles the illustration above.

Front View

Right click in editor

This 3D view displays the model from the Front view .

Right click and select Front view from the 3D Views menu, then reduce the zoom magnification. The Workplane can be seen on the top fact of the model when viewed from this view. If necessary, use the Fit Workplane to Window tool to display the extents of the Workplane.

Workplane shown on top facet of object

Place on Workplane

Ribbon : Workspace | Place on Workplane

Default Menu : Modify > Place on Workplane

SHIFT-ALT-W

Command is activated when objects are selected

This places the selected object onto the current Workplane, aligning the selected object by rotating it so that it lies in a parallel plane to the Workplane.The Selector Shell properties must be set to 3D prior to selecting the 2D object so that it can be moved onto the Workplane.

The selected circle can now be moved to the Workplane. Select the circle, then select Move to Workplane from the menu options above.

The result is shown below.

Circle moved to the Workplane on the top surface of the model