REFERENCE ELEMENTS used in catia

Reference element is the features that have no mass and volume are used only to assist we in the creation of the models. They acts as a reference for drawing a sketches for features, defining the sketch plane, placing placed features, assembling components, creating sketched based feature, and so on.

REFERENCE PLANES

The features are generally not created on a same plane; therefore we need to select the other defaults planes are creating new planes to be used as a sketching plane for other feature.

Default Planes :- There are three Default Planes as given bellow:-

1.      XY plane

2.      YZ plane

3.      ZX plane

Creating a new plane

Toolbar: Reference Elements > plane

Planes are used as the sketching plane for drawing sketches for the sketch-based features, Appling references to the placed features, and so on. The sketch of the based feature is generally drawn using one of the default planes as the sketching planes. After creating the based feature, we can select one of its paces as the sketching plane to draw the sketch for the other-based features. However sometimes we may need to draw a sketch on a plane, which is add one offset distance from the planner face of the base feature.

To create a new plane chooses the plane tool from the reference element (extended) toolbar.

In CATIA V5, There are eleven different methods for creating new plans as given bellow:-

Creating a plane at one offset from an existing plane/planner face

When we invoke the plane definition dialog box and select plane to offset from plane type on dialog box. Select the plane or the planar face from which the offset plane need to create now we can set the value of offset distance from the offset spinner, we can also specify the number copies of the new plane in instance(s) spinner and then ok.

Creating a plane parallel to an existing plane and passing through a point

The parallel through point option in the plane type drop down list is used to create an offset plane that is parallel to reference plane or planar face and passes through specified point.

To create a plane, select the parallel through point option from the plane type, select a plane or planar face from the geometry area and select a point. Select point or vertex from geometry area and then choose OK.

Creating a plane at an angle/normal to a plane

The angle/normal to plane option in the plane type drop–down list is used to create a plane at an angle to a reference plane or face. We can also create a plane normal to the selected plane or face. To create a plane using this option, select the angle/normal to plane option from the plane type drop-down list; we will be prompted to select the rotation axis. Select an edge of the model, sketched line, or axis from the geometry area that will be used as the axis of rotation; we will prompted to select the reference plane. Select the reference or plane or planar face from the geometry area such that the rotation axis and the selected reference plane are parallel to each other; the preview of the plane is displayed set the value of rotation angle in the angle spinner. To reverse the direction of the plane creation, specify a negative angular value. Next, choose the ok button from the plane definition dialog box. If we choose normal to the plane button from the plane definition dialog box, a plane will be created normal to the reference plane. We can also create multiple copies of the plane using the repeat object after ok check box. If we select the project axis on reference plane check box the resultant plane will be created in the reference plane by projecting the rotation axis over the reference plane.

Creating a plane through three points

The through three points in a plane type drop down list is used to create the plane passes through selected points. On selecting this option, we will be prompted to select the first point Vertex, or an endpoint of a line from the geometry area. On doing so, we will be prompted to selected the second point. Select the second point from the geometry area. Similarly select the third point; choose ok button from the plane definition dialog box the resulting plane will be displayed.

Creating a plane through lines

The Through Two Lines option in the plane type drop-down list is used to create a plane that will be passes through selected lines, edges, or an edge a line. When we select this option we are prompted to select the first line. Select an edge, sketch line, or an axis from the geometry area; we will be prompted to select the second line. After we select the second line the preview of the plane will be displayed choose the Ok button from the plane definition dialog box.

Creating a plane through a point and a line

The Through point and a line option in the plane type drop-down list is used to create a plane that passes through a point and a line. When we select this option, we will be prompted to select this point, we will be prompted to select a point. Select a point through which we want the plane to pass; we will be prompted to select a line. Select a line, axis, or edge from the geometry area through which the plane will pass; the preview of the plane will be displayed in the geometry area. Choose the Ok button from the plane definition dialog box.

Creating a plane through a planar curve

The Through planar curve option is used to create a plane that will be coplanar to be selected arc. To create a plane using this option, select the through planar curve option plane type drop-down list; we will be prompted to select the curve. Select the curve from geometry area. We will notice that the preview of the plane is placed coplanar to the selected curve. Choose

OK from the plane definition dialog box.

Creating a plane normal to a curve

The Normal to curve option is used create plane that is normal to a selected curve. On selecting this option, we will be prompted to select a reference curve. Select the curve from the geometry area; the preview of the normal plane, placed of the midpoint of selected curve, is displayed. Note that, by default the midpoint the selected curve is considered as a point to place the plane normal to curve. If we do not want create a plane in the middle of the selected curve, select appoint on a curve/vertex/edge where the plane will be placed. Next, choose the Ok button from the plane definition dialog box.

Creating a plane using an equation

The equation option is used to create using the equation Ax + By + Cz=D, where the values of A, B, C, and D are variable and can change to modify the orientation of the plane. When we select this option the plane definition dialog box will expand and the A, B, C, and D spinners will be displayed. We can set the values in these spinners to create a plane using the above mentioned equation. The normal to compass button in this dialog box is used to create a plane normal to the compass. The parallel to screen button is used to create a plane normal to the current view of the screen. After specifying the parameters, choose the ok button from the plane definition dialog box.

Creating a plane using mean through points

The mean through point option is used to create a plane at an orientation defined by the mean of the selected points. On selecting this option, we will be prompted to select points. Select the required points or vertices from the geometry area. The name of the selected points and vertices are displayed in the points display box in the plane definition dialog box. The preview of the plane created with its orientation depending on the mean of the selected point, is displayed in the geometry area. Choose the Ok button from the plane definition dialog box.

Create a plane tangent to a surface

The tangent to surface option is used to option create a plane tangent to selected surface and passing through a selected point. On selecting this option, we will prompted to select the reference surface. Select a point, tangent to selected surface, is displayed. Choose ok button from the plane definition dialog box.

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