Unable to change work plane to draw piping

[sericksonZQUWJ]

I'm trying to draw in a section of pipe, but I keep getting the error message "Can't draw because Work Plane is at a very sharp angle in this view. Go to another view or redefine the Work Plane."

When I try to redefine the work plane to something parallel to the view I want to draw in, I get the same message. This only seems to happen with piping; model lines, wall profiles, etc all let me redefine the work plan and draw in whatever view I need. Is there a different setting for piping work planes that's separate from the work plane for other functions? Is it related to the reference level somehow?

Thanks.

[hmunsell]

send us a screen capture of your workplane your trying to use. if you can highlight the pipe you're trying to connect too also.

• set your view and work plane to draw your pipe
• then go to a 3D view and select Show your Workplane. 

[ennujozlagam]

first draw a reference plane and name it then go to your view , go to set work plane and select your reference plane 1, then show

[sericksonZQUWJ]

Is it necessary to draw a reference plane, instead of just using an existing surface as a reference plane? This seems to work with every other tool except piping systems.

[sericksonZQUWJ]

For some reason when I select "show work plane" nothing happens, but here you can see the work plane highlighted when I try to place the new pipe.

What's really confusing me is that when I open the workplane viewer, it actually shows the surface I'm trying to use as my workplane.

[fabiosato]

Hello,

AFAIK, pipes can only use levels as reference, you can align and lock them to planes. 

[sericksonZQUWJ]

If that's the case, how do I draw vertical pipe segments? I know I've managed to figure it out before, but I remember it being convoluted, non-intuitive, and on top of that I've since forgotten.

[sericksonZQUWJ]

All I want to do is connect these two fittings with a vertical length of pipe, but this is the error message I keep getting. When I try to do it in an isometric view, all it will do is change the fitting and give me a horizontal length of pipe.

[iainsavage · Accepted solution]

Cut a section view instead of using a 3D view.

[RSomppi · Accepted solution]

Section view should work.

[sericksonZQUWJ]

Thank you both, that did the trick!

Seems like a totally unnecessary limitation, but I've learned to keep my expectations low when it comes to any Autodesk software.