Let me say for a part to model I have to create many planes. If there are many planes there is a tendency to forget/find out exact location of a previous plane which tend create same plane again and again for others features. Is there any way to find out duplicating a plane?
I think my issue is not clear enough. I have recast the sentence.
Using one plane for many features may cause problems in the future. In the following example in Figure 1, the extrusions refer to one plane.
If you need to change the angle of the plane for one extrusion - you have a problem. Using two planes does not cause a problem. In Pro / E it was possible to add construction planes to features (absorbed as sketches), which eliminated the need to search for them.
Besides, it is strange question. If you would like to find a similar plane, you must first create it. Then find, then remove the new one so as not to duplicate. But in short: No, SW cannot find similar planes. Maybe with the help of the API?
I'm curious about what you're modeling that would require that many planes. I go weeks without creating a new plane.
As Kevin suggested, descriptive naming of features helps. Also using envelopes to group related features may make it easier for you to keep up with.
Another suggestion: Drive all of your planes using equations. It should be easier to see if you are creating a plane with the same offset/angle as one that already exists.
Or better yet, use a skeleton sketch to drive the planes. That should also make it obvious if you are creating a plane where one already exists.
Scott Perman wrote:
Another suggestion: Drive all of your planes using equations. It should be easier to see if you are creating a plane with the same offset/angle as one that already exists.
I cannot follow what you say.
Name them, is the only way I would know.
Now this is workflow and design intent.
You'll need to work out a habit/rule on how and when to create plane/sketches.
And when to reuse them.
Where are you creating planes? In same part file? In different part files? In assembly?
As other said, SSP or master sketch. They keep most sketches and planes in one file.
I setup to show all planes and sketches. So I can see them and reuse them.
This is the problem I have, if many planes are visible it is a nuisance to me and major hindrance for further thinking. I hope Glenn Schroeder can give you a better idea to do with few planes.
I hide them unless I need to see them. Same for sketches.
I've unhide them all to show how I use them.
I don't have duplicate planes. They all needed to model the fixture.
Top part of the fixture tilt away from the bottom.
And as John said all the time. Work your way down.
So I'll have most of the "top" features hidden as I add more.
Only show the one I need for reference and convert/project.
Also build a habit not to "chain" reference same feature/entity.
I think it is better to embed a similar plane detection system in the SWX.
A contextual naming scheme would help.
Kevin