Hello,
I can't find how to rotate Reference Geometry -> Plane "up" direction - the one that controls what is vertical and what is horizontal when sketching. How do I do that? For example, if I create a new plane on top of Front plane, how do I rotate it around Z axis?
Thank you in advance.
There are several possible answers depending of the situation.
When creating a plane, one method is: http://www.javelin-tech.com/blog/2012/04/control-plane-front-back/
If the sketch has been created and just needs to be flipped: http://www.javelin-tech.com/blog/2011/09/heads-or-tails-in-sketch-orientation/
Otherwise, feel free to submit an ER for more control on defining the positive direction for the normal vector to the plane.
Thank you for your answer, but you misunderstood me. I was talking not about the normal direction (which determines extrude direction), but the UP direction of the plane (one which determines the vertical direction of it).
I'm attaching a sketch. In it, there is Plane1, which is parallel to Front plane, on it - a sketch (an arrow). For example, I need to rotate the plane around Z axis so that the arrow points 45 degrees left, instead of up, and when I edit the Sketch, the arrow stick would still be shown as vertical.
I know I could edit the sketch, and make rotation inside it, but in my project (which is way more complex) I need to set up these basic "reference planes" which could rotate on all 3 axes, and there would be many many sketches, so I can't update them every time I rotate the reference planes. So I need for the plane to rotate (in this example, on Z axis) along with Sketch1 (and any other sketches that might be drawn on Plane1)
I'm attaching a photoshoped image of how it should like after the plane rotation. Notice that Sketch is unaltered, the stick of the arrow still is vertical to the plane.
Thanks for the clarification. Yes, is doable.
Take a look at the attached file for a possible solution.
A bit complicated, but it will work! Thanks!
I'm sorry, but I must ask for help again. You explained how to rotate plane around this axis - but how do I stop SW from automatically doing it?
I'm attaching my project file (part of assembly, so a lot of it won't make sense, and it's not in English).
In it, there is this plane ("Pl-Virsutinis"), which I'm trying to rotate about 2 axes (Z and X), but it is rotating to the left (on Y axis) by itself (you can see this from Top view). How do I stop it from rotating around Y axis? I tried various references for that plane, nothing works.
I would prefer not to add any additional sketches or support-planes, as it is complicated enough already.
Can you help, please?
Sorry, but at this time I do not have access to SolidWorks. That being said, have you considered using 3DSketch planes? Their horizontal/ vertical directions can be set the way you described.
Trying to figure it out now. When you will have access to SW, could you please check my uploaded part, and see if there is a way to do this with simple (non 3d) planes? It seems such a basic thing, there must be a way...
Use an angle of 90 degree instead of the perpendicular relation. See attached.
Thank you, but in your given file the "Pl-Virsutinis" plane is about rotated to the right about 70 degrees. I need it's top edge to be aligned with X axis (so when looking from top view, it's label should be horizontal, not rotated).
Could you show how it's done?
So, can anyone help?
I managed to create a 3d sketch which shows how the plane should look like. Attaching the part file. Take a look from top view (ctrl+5). All the edges are horizontal and vertical. But if I create a reference plane on top of this rectangle, it is not rotated, so if I sketch on it, vertical and horizontal alligment will be off.
How do I make plane alligned like that rectangle, with no Y axis rotation while it's being rotated on other axes?
J.R.,
If you select the surface you want the sketch on then hold control and click on the surface you want facing upwards and hit the new sketch button it should rotate like you want. I think this is what you are talking about.
Chris
Well, it's not the surface I want to sketch on - it's that I need 3 rotatable reference geometry planes. I would then create additional planes (mostly parallel) which would reference to these 3.
My project is one of a sailboat, and instead of creating it on Front, Right and Top planes, I want to create custom planes which would be rotatable on 3 axes (while some stuff would be created on original, non-rotating planes), but still keep their relationship as if they were Front, Right, and Top. Then I could make that boat model rotate on all axes without distoring.
Right now, it's distorting, because I can't find how to rotate plane's up direction.
Simply put, I just need to find out how to create plane and make it's vertical and horizontal directions alligned where I need. My last attached file shows exactly how it should look like.
J.R.,
Not quite sure I undestand. I am running 2012 so I can't open the file. Perhaps when you get some time can you post some screen shots?
Chris
The way you described your needs, 3D Sketch planes are the way to go. Not only they can be defined very easy, but the "horizontal" and "vertical" directions can be defined on the fly using angles or relations to other entities outside those planes.
Could you show how it's done (Alligning 3d Sketch plane edges with relations to outside entities) ? Nothing on any documentation of SW mentions this, and I've been trying for past 2 hours with no success.
Of course. Will produce a video for you tonight when I get home.
Thank you very much for your effort. It means a lot.
Thank you. That seems awfuly complicated, but I guess it will work! I will figure it out in time. Thank you very much!
Thanks for the clarification. Yes, is doable.
Take a look at the attached file for a possible solution.