Define Plane

Dialog Box

This option is used to define a plane.

Fit to model

Define Plane

In XY, YZ and XZ options, the plane will be created on the respective global planes. The plane will be at the center of the model.

3 nodes: Pick three non-collinear nodes to define a plane.

3 vertices: Pick three non-collinear vertices to define a plane.

Element: Pick an element to define a plane.

Planar face or Face group: Pick planar face to define a plane.

Arc: Pick an arc to define a plane. From this arc three points will be calculated for defining the plane.

Transform

• Translate: Used to move plane at the desired position.

  

  • To node: Pick a node to move the plane to that point.
  • Arc center: Pick an arc to offset the plane. The plane will be moved to the center of the arc.
  • To vertex: Pick a vertex to move the plane to that point.
  • Distance: Enter the value or place the cursor inside the Distance box and scroll the mouse. The plane will be moved to this distance.
• Rotate: Used to rotate the plane based on the axis and angle defined.

  

  • Define Axis: If any of the planes is active, then the “Define Axis...” button will be enabled. Click to define the rotation axis.

  • Angle: After defining the rotation axis, the Angle edit box will enabled. Enter the angle or place the cursor inside the box and scroll the mouse to rotate the plane.

Reverse Plane Normal

To reverse the direction of the plane normal.

• Create Multiple Plane

  User can create multiple planes by two methods namely,

  • One by One

    

    • New: Create the plane and click this button to insert the plane in to the list. Then create second plane and click new to include that plane to the list. Thus any number of planes can be created successively.

    • Previous/Next: This button is used to activate the previously created planes. The active plane will be highlighted. And also used to travels the multiple cylinders list.
    • Delete: Used to delete the highlighted plane.
  • Array

    

    Create the reference plane and enter the No of planes and Pitch value. Click “Apply” to create the array of plans from reference plane. The arrow mark in yellow color shows the normal of the plane. The array of planes will be created in this direction. Use “Reverse Plane Normal” option to change the normal of the plane.

• Trim

  This option is used to define planes, which not necessarily pass through the entire body. Some times a plane may be required to pass only to some extent on the body and this option just enables the user to do that. The body will be broken in the limited region bounded by these planes.

  
  • Trim Line: After defining a plane, click this button to define the bounded axis. When this axis is defined, only the body starting from this axis will be broken. The body portion lying behind this axis will remain unaffected. The yellow line highlighted in plane is the Trim Line.
  • Flip: Click to change the direction of the bounded plane.
  • Translate: Enter the value or place the cursor inside the box and scroll the mouse to translate the bounded plane.

Export

The created planes can be exported and saved in the .xml format.

Import

This is used to import the plane data saved in .xml format.

Special Case

Box Face:

This option is shown only in nFx → Inlet dialog. It is used to define a plane by picking the box face.