Definition of a plane

[linnmaster]

Hi. I might be getting confused, but is a definition for a plane in space 3 points? And a line/axis/straight edge defined by two points?

 

So in Inventor 2010, I want to create a plane ....

 

In which case I select 3 points, and I get a plane where it intersects all three points, and the plane is created - straight forward yes?

 

If I select a line/axis/straight edge and another arbitary point in space (of course, this point is not on the line/axis/straight edge, shouldn't you get a plane that intersects the axis and the point?

 

However, the result when selecting the axis and the point, is a plane that is normal to the axis and intersecting the point. If I have a point at either end of the line, and select these two points + my other point, I get my plane that I want.

 

Why is this?

 

Regards,

David

[shift1313]

If you have a line I would select the end points then your arbitrary point to create your plane. Technically a line and a point define a plane but I dont think you can do that in Inventor. The standard plane creation for selecting a line/edge/axis is tangent to that line/edge/axis through your point.

 

If you go to the Help file under Work Plane and click on the Quick Reference tab it gives you a picture and description of the plane creation options.

[linnmaster]

If you have a line I would select the end points then your arbitrary point to create your plane. Technically a line and a point define a plane but I dont think you can do that in Inventor. The standard plane creation for selecting a line/edge/axis is tangent to that line/edge/axis through your point.

 

If you go to the Help file under Work Plane and click on the Quick Reference tab it gives you a picture and description of the plane creation options.

 

Thanks for your guidance and recommending me the help file for Work Plane. I agree that the standard plane creation is "tangent to that line/edge/axis through your point". ProEngineer WF, SolidEdge, all function that way. Inventor does it normal to that line/edge/axis through a point - as the help file confirms.

 

It just seems a lot more work is needed if you were to create a plane like so when you first start a part and have just the origin point, planes, and axes. You would need to create two work points first on the axis either via a sketch or something so that you have the three points to be able to pick.

 

Regards,

David

[shift1313]

sorry i mispoke. normal to that line not tangent you are correct just as in your first post. Yes it is a bit of work but usually my first "object" is drawn on a standard plane, then i create my other views from there. There shouldnt be a need to create an off axis plane from the start I would think but everyone has their own methods for drawing. Is there a certain instance this comes up in with your industry?

[linnmaster]

Is there a certain instance this comes up in with your industry?

 

Hi.

 

I don't think it's so much industry specific, but just general modelling basics and understanding work methods of doing things in Inventor as I (and no doubt others) have found differences between the CAD platforms I've used. I'm still learning Inventor so am very new to most of it's functions, with many still be discovered.

 

Where I've come across having to use this is having a helix and wanting a plane tangent to the centre axis to pass through the end point of where the helix finishes. Being only a helix, I would have no two work points about the axis.

 

Regards,

David

[shift1313]

I only have an older copy of inventor in front of me and i cant remember about helix creation in 2010 off the top of my head but when creating a helix based mixer blade like in your other post (in this older version) i would draw a profile of the blade on the XZ Plane using the intersection of it with the projected point of a line through the origin(seen as a green arc profile and a faint red line coming from the vertical yellow Z axis). Then use the Z axis for the coil based feature. That requires no additional planes and your standard plane. In the coil based feature you control the pitch, revolutions etc. If you wanted a plane based on this feature you could select two end points and the mid point of the end of the feature. Since you also know the angle of revolution based on your inputs you can select a standard plane(like XZ) then your Zaxis and enter a rotation angle to create a plane.

 

Of course this works for simply planar blade profiles but once you change that you have a bit more work. The use of standard planes and the origin for the base of your drawings is the best starting point. Do you have a specific file you are playing with where this comes into play?

[linnmaster]

 

Hmmm. Understand what you are saying ...

 

See above screen shot. This is the end side of the helix (surface) and I have put a radiused the inside corner. Rather than sketching something to find out what angle this point will be from an origin plane, and recalculating the angle should the helix length change (in turn will change end location where the helix terminates), or some other means, I want a plane that's governed by the highlighted point and tangent to the main axis of the helix. ...

 

While saying this, I just tried something and I think I've got an easy way around ... I can create an axis parallel to the main helix axis through the point, in which case then I can create my angled plane defined by the two axis!

 

Whoohoo!

 

Thanks so much - you lead me on the right train of thought!

[shift1313]

Now i see what you were asking! I was having a hard time picturing it in my head. Im glad that it worked out for you:) I understand exactly the way you were trying to do it(and how it should work, solidworks allows you to do that). As long as you have a way to make it work thats all that matters:)