Create or edit a reference plane

Create a reference or construction plane

1. Choose Construction > Plane.
2. Select the type of plane you want to create and click Go.
3. Click to place one, two, or three points, according to the instructions on the prompt line. You can also type the 3D coordinates for a point.
4. Adjust the plane by moving the point(s), or using the manipulator (if available), to move, rotate, and size the plane.
5. To make this plane a reference plane, and go on to create another plane, click Next Plane.

   To make this plane the construction plane, click Set Construction Plane.

   Note

   There can only be one construction plane in a scene. If you create a construction plane and there is already a construction plane in the scene, the existing construction plane will become a reference plane.

How to use the plane manipulator

Click a handle to select it (the handle becomes white), then either:

• Drag the handle to move/rotate/scale the plane. (See Interactive manipulation.)
• Type exact values on the keyboard.
• Click the geometry or the grid, while using a snap mode, to snap the axes of the manipulator to a specific position or orientation.

Edit a reference or construction plane

1. Pick the plane.
2. Choose Construction > Plane.

   The points and manipulator (if applicable to this type of plane) appear.

   Note

   You can also select the Plane tool first, then select the plane you want to edit.

3. Adjust the plane by dragging the point(s), or using the manipulator.
   Tip

   Open the Information window (Windows > Information > Information Window) to see detailed information as you manipulate the plane.

4. To make the plane a reference plane and go on to create another plane, click Next Plane.

   To make this plane the construction plane, click Set Construction Plane.

   Note

   There can only be one construction plane in a scene. If you create a construction plane and there is already a construction plane in the scene, the existing construction plane will become a reference plane.

Choose a construction plane

• To toggle between a construction plane and the world space coordinate system, choose Construction > Toggle Construction Plane.
• To set a construction plane, pick a reference plane, then choose Construction > Set Construction Plane .

Hide or show reference/construction planes

• Select WindowDisplay > Toggles > Construction Objects.

Delete a reference/construction plane

1. Pick only the reference/construction plane.
2. Press the key, or choose Delete > Delete Active from the menus.

Snap to the intersection of a curve and a plane

You can easily snap to a curve that intersects a construction plane, and position the snap point either anywhere along the curve, or precisely at the point where the curve and plane intersect. When you drag the snap point close to the construction plane, a yellow cross appears on the plane indicating that the snap point is precisely at the intersection point.