Work Plane definition: axis and point

[barnadaniel]

Hi,

I very often find that I would like to create a work plane defined by an axis and a point such that the plane is spanned by the point and the axis. But the only possible way seems to be to create a plane through the point and perpendicular to the axis.

Is there a good reason why this is not possible? If no, may I request this as a new feature in later releases?

Thank you

Daniel

[JDMather]

Can you post an example file where this would be useful?
From your description it seems like there would be an infinite number of solution planes - so I must be missing something in your design intent.

Ahh, I think I understand - the point is not on the axis.

Yes this should work - don't understand why it isn't available.

But after a bit more experimentation my test seems contrived - and there is better solution.

I can't come up with a real need, although it seems logical there should be.  Post your example.

On further testing it does work in SolidWorks (but in the process of testing I also discovered a cooresponding annoyance in SWx that I was not previously aware of).

[bcrowell]

As an example, I am working on a product that has a radiused back and a customer drawing with a section cut through at a specific point and on a plane rotated about the axis of the curvature of the part, it would be very convenient to be able to create a plane with a work axis and a point.  There are a great many circumstances that I have found this would be useful (and I have needed it many times), as by definition it does generate unique planes.  I find the plane Inventor will create from an axis through a point (normal to the axis) to have much more limited usefulness.

I cannot post the assembly file because of confidentiality or I would.  Instead, I am limited to posting a cropped jpeg.

[cwhetten]

You can create the plane you need through three points.  Just create two work points at a convenient location along your axis, then use the three points to get your plane.

[bcrowell]

So what is the trick to creating two points that just happen to lie on that axis?  You can't just click along the axis- do you have to do something wasteful like creating a couple of planes to intersect the axis so you can create two points? Seems like three times the work to create a plane when by definition an axis and a point define a unique plane.

[cwhetten]

Without a sample part showing exactly what you are going for, it's hard to give you exactly what you are asking for.  But, if your axis passes through your part geometry, you can create workpoints at two places where the axis passes through a face.  See the attached part as an example.

[IgorMir]

I think it is just an omission of Inventor programmers team. That functionality should be available, without any doubt. There is a workaround to get what you want, of course (three point work plane, sketch entities etc.) but that is just that - workaround.

Best Regards,

Igor.

[CAD-One]

I agree too. Plane creation tool are missing good design intents. I could create a bisecting plane when needed.

[NWeigand]

How about this? - create the Work Axis - create the Work Point - create a Work Plane (with offset from a surface) - delete any Constraints that the Work Plane has got - create new Constraints for the Work Plane: -> Mate: Plane with Work Axis -> Mate: Plane with Work Point

[trumpy81]

Do any of the options shown in the attached picture help?

[BryanKelley]

Hello Daniel,

  Please see the attached Word document to see if I understand your request properly.

[Rich.O.3d]

Bryan,

That would be my interpretation of the op's question.

I regularly wish I had this functionality...cant think of specific reasons off the top of my head, but im sure at least once or twice a week.

Also another good one would be a plane to bisect the angle between two, existing, non parrallel planes