A Circle Defines a Plane...So

Is there some reason a user should not be able to Insert a plane with
an additional choice by selecting a circle to define the plane?

There is one specific reason I've wanted to be able to do this for
things such as the intersection of 2 cones which is common in typical
round molded parts where 2 cores meet. It is always possible to do a
workaround, but I wonder about simplifications.

Is there another magic method to getting a plane to be defined &
linked to where a circle exists with a single step? Obviously this is
where no plane surface inside or outside the circle can be selected.

Thanks - Bo

 

There are a couple that I can think of, but none as nice as just selecting
a circle or an arc.

You could select the temp axis through the cone and the centerpoint of the
circle, which would give you perpendicular to curve at point. Or you could
add two points non-colinear with the center and make a 3 point plane (lines
and points). If you have a non-180 deg arc, you could select the endpoints
and the center, or if you have an elipse (conic section), you could also
pick 3 pts.

I agree, though, I've often wished for some additional ways to make planes.

matt



(Bo Clawson) wrote in

 

Well these sorts of improvements are the type that would speed up work
without code bloat & tricky error checking code conniption fits.

We ought to suggest easy new plane creation options to the SolidWorks
crew.

Bo

 

I think SW needs to open a 5th grade book on Euclidian geometry and make use
of what is taught of the construction of a plane. This is not higher math!
We now have to choose SW geometry rather than something that was thought of
2,500 years ago. Come on SW, surely you've had time to learn that by now.

 

Cliff,

Everything that is a true arc, in SW, is represented as such in IGES.
Parasolid isn't a neutral format, just the core geometry. But you already
knew that.

Regards

Mark

 

I don't think that will work with a circular edge though. Unless I've
missed the ability to select the centerpoint of a circular edge
somewhere....

Jim S.

 

How about we ask Solidworks to put up the following for consideration
for creating a plane:

1. Any 2D Circle or Arc
2. 2 parallel lines (a very common ocurrance in machine design)
3. A plane defined as being midway between 2 other parallel planes
(not a must have, but convenient)
4. ...add any others

Bo Clawson

 

How about we ask Solidworks to put up the following for consideration

You can just select one line and an endpoint of the other... unless you
are talking about 2 axes, which do not have endpoints.

 

These are excellent suggestions. As a workaround for #3, you
can use the "Mid Surface" command if you have to faces (I
think they need to be a solid, or maybe it's a bug?).

Mike Wilson

 

If it is not problematic to program, I would see an advantage in allowing
plane creation to use any planer edge or sketch, i.e. conic section or
spline, rather than just arcs.

JJ

 

Indeed axes work in assembly solids is where it is most convenient
when 2 solids parts with axes (0ften round rotating parts on
orthogonal planes) need more detail that is revealed or assembled on
the plane between the axes.

Bo

 

Well if it is a conic edge, it has to be the special condition where
the edge is planar. Most conic intersections result in intersection
edges that are non-planar. I may misinterpret the desired end you
have in mind, though.

Allowing any planar object to define a plane sounds like a positive,
though I can see a plane being so defined and then the shapes
generating the planar surface changing and then the shape is no longer
planar resulting in a real geometry mess.

Bo

 

I meant planer sections only but you raise a good point about the potential
for something to become nonplaner.

JJ