Can I move a construction plane after I did a bunch of work?

[paramax55]

Long story short... I made a construction plane, then I did 2 days worth of work based on it. Now I realize it should have been back another 2 inches. When I went back in the history and tried to edit the plane, I didn't see any way to move it. Is that possible to do, or do I just need to start over?

[jeff_strater]

@paramax55 - it will somewhat depend on what kind of construction plane you created.  If this was an Offset Plane, then just right click on it, and choose "Edit Feature", and you can change the offset.  If it is another kind of plane (e.g. Tangent Plane, etc) it will be harder to just push it back by 2 inches.  You might have to insert a new Offset Plane, and Redefine or Edit any sketches or features based on that plane.  You can do it, but it is more tedious.

[angrdnsr]

I find moving a sketch to a different plane can create all sorts of problems, unless you just change the amount of offset, more often than not the sketch ends up rotated 180 degrees

[TheCADWhisperer]

Moving a Plane and moving a Sketch are two very different things.

In any case - whenever in doubt - Attach your *.f3d file here.

BTW - utilizing the BORN Technique as much as possible and practical nearly eliminates these issues.

[paramax55]

What is the BORN technique?

It wasn't an offset plane. It was a plane at the end of a reference line that was supposed to be at a point 2" back from the end. After that, a shape was defined on that plane, and an object was made with a sweep command. Then I made a bunch of cuts in that object. I believe I would have to define a new plane in rather than move it and I can't imagine the timeline would catch up afterwards.

[paramax55]

I looked up the BORN technique. It doesn't appear to be much different that what I did. The error came from having too many things floating around in my head at the same time. I'm getting the hang of this software, but sometimes I need to do something and it takes me a while to figure out how to get it done. In the mean time, I can forget a detail from the blueprint. The reason I knew this error existed is that the next part I designed had to mate to this one. The second part was designed correctly, highlighting this error.

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@paramax55 wrote:

I looked up the BORN technique. It doesn't appear to be much different that what I did. 

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Can you File>Export and then Attach your *.f3d file here?

[jeff_strater]

yes, you are correct, @angrdnsr - redefine can be a hassle.  You can usually put things back together using Move on the sketch geometry, but you often have to project new edges and change some dimensions.  But, again, if you have an offset plane, then all you need to do is to edit the offset.

[paramax55]

I am attaching the file. Step one in the timeline was to make the reference line. Step 2 was to make the construction plane. It was supposed to be at the point 2 inches back.

[jeff_strater]

thanks for the design.  I've looked at it a bit.  There are a couple of strategies I've tried for that first plane.  It is a Plane At Angle, so just editing an offset does not work.  I've inserted an offset, but things fall apart from there.  I haven't given up on this yet, but so far, I do not have a good approach to recommend for you, sorry.

[paramax55]

I haven't been super hopeful. I've made this design twice so far as I've been learning what I'm supposed to be doing. So a third time won't be a world-ender. But, if there is a trick to be learned, I would like to have it in my bag of tricks for the future.

[jrlopezp]

@paramax55 ,

I know this is an older post and I'm not sure this is what you are looking for here.  I'm a newbie myself.  What I did is I created a new offset plane and moved it back in the timeline prior to the sketch (in my case it was a sketch) I wanted to move.  I then right-clicked the sketch and selected "Redefine Sketch Plane" and then selected the newly created plane.

Anyway, in case this helps you or anyone else.

Cheers!