Adding work plane to a non-linear surface

[Anonymous]

Is there a method to add a work plane to a curved surface ? I need a construction plane adding to a curved surface to allow a sketch to to added to this plane, not sure if this is possible but the problem I have is adding a series of sketches to a curved surface to then extrude-cut for window openings. Thanks

[japike]

You can add a workplane tangent to a surface. Is that what you are looking for? Can you post a part? What version of Inventor?

[JDMather]

Or add construction sketch line or other locating geometry.  There are at least half a dozen ways depending on your design intent.

As suggested - attach your file (or at least a picture) here.

[Anonymous]

Hello, unfortunately posting model data is restricted however I can post a screen dump. What I am looking for is a little more complicated that adding a work plane tangent to a surface. I have a dome structure with a curved outside wall to which I need to add window openings - I was looking for a way adding these. I finally figured out a way to do it (it may not be the best method though). See below :

 - Offset work plane from axis

 - Emboss sketch to curved surface with engrave from face and wrap to face selected to wall thinness

 - Create circular pattern of embossed surface 

This seems to work OK for me but if there is a better method I would be glad to learn it.

[JDMather]

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@Anonymous wrote:

 I have a dome structure with a curved outside wall to which I need to add window openings

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I other words - to the cylindrical face, correct?  (not the hemispherical face, in either case it is easy)

In fact, from what I can see - no workplane (other than the origin planes which should be used) is needed.

[Anonymous]

Yes my apologies for not wording it correctly, is the method I describe OK or are there any quicker / easier ways to reach the same result ? Thanks

[JDMather]

Are the sides of the window openings parallel or would they form a pie shape to the center of the cylinder if extended the thickness to the center?

[JDMather]

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@Anonymous wrote:

... unfortunately posting model data is restricted however I can post a screen dump. ... 

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What version of Inventor?

[Anonymous]

I am using IV 2013 SP1 BETA 64-bit.

Could you possibly illustrate on the screen shot what you describe in your previous post with regard to the window edges ? I do not think these would form the pie shape you describe if the thickness is extended through to the central cylinder.