work plane using an edge and not a surface

[Anonymous]

Is it possible to define a workplane or scetch using a circle edge and not a surface?

I do not want to close the surface of (for example) an open cylinder since then I cannot use sculpt anymore, right?

and if so, how can I define a work plane perpendicular to that circle with the origin going through the center of the circle?

[mcgyvr]

Are you asking about creating a tangent work plane?

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/inventor-products/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2014...

Can you post your file and a clear description of where you want the workplane if the help document didn't help.

[JDMather]

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@Anonymous wrote:

... using a circle edge ....

 how can I define a work plane perpendicular to that circle with the origin going through the center of the circle?

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Plane through a circle (sketch circle) is easy.  A circular edge - not so easy for some reason.  Extra geometry is needed AFAIK.

[Anonymous]

Yes that might not have been as clear from my question, i dont know...
I have an external geometry imported which has a circle at some point defined by some edge of the geometry (which inventor apparently recognizes). Now to be able to do a plane I need a surface, but the geometry is open at that point like an open cylinder surface. Still the edge circle defines a plane, so in principle it should be "somehow" possible. I was just wondering how or if its more complicated?

edit: so in ur example above did u do it via "extra geometry" or what's that supposed to show?

Ur surface bodies (1) is just the cylinder, or?

[Anonymous]

@JDMather

So there is no simple way to create a work plane on circular edge (as shown selected on the image below)? The circular edge defines a plane and this should be no brainer......

The only way i was able to achieve this is by having another sketch at 90 degree from the original (vertical), then project geometry onto it, and use those projected lines to create a plane i need... but this is ridiculous..

[JDMather]

Can you attach your *.ipt file here?

[Anonymous]

it's a makeshift part. revolve a triangular sketch and see about placing a work plane on circular edge

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! Indeed, a circle by itself can define many things. It could define a center point, an axis, and a plane. Inventor seems to under-leverage circle. There isn't any technical reason why it cannot be done. I will work with the project team and see how we can improve further.

Many thanks!

[kelly.young · Accepted solution]

@Anonymous I think you are having a problem creating a plane along the blue circumference line?

• Turn on the visibility of your revolved sketch
• Select Create Plane
• Select the top right point of the revolved triangle
• Select the plane from the Origin

Hope that helps!

Please select the Accept as Solution button if a post solves your issue or answers your question.

[Anonymous]

Thanks @kelly.young This did work. Granted , it's just a matter of few mouse clicks, but, the edge is defined by the sketch, so why can't you place a plane on the revolved edge? As @johnsonshiue said, speaking pure math, circle defines a whole lot of things. So that should be used to further improve Inventor capabilities... This way, it is just another workaround..

[kelly.young]

@Anonymous as far as I know that is how it's always been. I searched the idea station and didn't find anything.

If you submit the idea there and post back here I'll be your first vote!

Like @johnsonshiue said, he'll forward to the development team and see what they can do for the future but documenting the idea will help.

For now it is a limitation that has always existed and that has been the very fast workaround I use.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if a post solves your issue or answers your question.

[Anonymous]

i will post the idea today. And i just figured out that your workaround is good only if your plane is parallel to one of the 3 origin planes. Otherwise it is becoming quite a difficult task to make it..

[kelly.young]

@Anonymous at that scenario you would just have to create a construction line perpendicular from that point to the centerline to use.

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

@kelly.young  more workarounds for something that is supposed to be simple. Oddly enough, you can create an axis by selecting the circle, but not plane nor point.... 

Here's the idea posted: https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-ideas/create-a-work-plane-based-on-the-circular-edge-created...

[kelly.young]

I've always found that anything worth achieving will always have obstacles in the way and you've got to have that drive and determination to overcome those obstacles on route to whatever it is that you want to accomplish.

- Chuck Norris

[SBix26]

Voted.  Let's keep this going!

Sam B

Inventor Professional 2018.2
Vault Workgroup 2018.0
Windows 7 Enterprise 64-bit, SP1

[Anonymous]

I voted too 🙂

[Anonymous]

@kelly.young      

https://i.imgur.com/vkMfQug.gifv