Methods for creating a datum plane

The following methods are available:

Offset from principal plane

Select one of the three principal planes; and provide the location of the datum plane in the form of an offset from the selected plane, as shown in Figure 1. A positive value indicates an offset in the positive direction along the axis normal to the selected plane; for example, along the X-axis normal to the Y–Z plane. For detailed instructions, see Creating a datum plane offset from a principal plane.

Figure 1. Creating a datum plane by offsetting from one of the three principal planes.

Offset from plane

Select any plane on the model; and provide the location of the datum plane by specifying the direction of the normal and an offset from the selected plane along the normal, as shown in Figure 2. You can specify the offset by entering a value or selecting a point. For detailed instructions, see Creating a datum plane at an offset from a selected plane.

Figure 2. Creating a datum plane by offsetting from any plane.

3 points

Select three points through which the datum plane must pass, as shown in Figure 3. For detailed instructions, see Creating a datum plane passing through three points.

Figure 3. Creating a datum plane by selecting three points.

Line and point

Select an edge and a point through which the datum plane must pass, as shown in Figure 4. For detailed instructions, see Creating a datum plane through a line and a point.

Figure 4. Creating a datum plane by selecting a point and an edge.

Point and normal

Select a point and an edge; the datum plane passes through the point and is normal to the selected edge, as shown in Figure 5. For detailed instructions, see Creating a datum plane passing through a point and normal to an edge.

Figure 5. Creating a datum plane by selecting a point and a normal edge.

Midway between 2 points

Select two points. Abaqus/CAE creates a datum plane midway between the two selected points and normal to the line connecting them, as shown in Figure 6. For detailed instructions, see Create a datum plane midway between two points and normal to the line connecting the two points.

Figure 6. Positioning a datum plane midway between two points.

Rotate from plane

Select a face and an axis of rotation, and specify the angle through which the face will be rotated. Abaqus/CAE creates a datum plane by rotating the face about the axis through the specified angle, as shown in Figure 7. For detailed instructions, see Creating a datum plane by rotating an existing face through a specified angle.

Figure 7. Defining a datum plane by rotating a face through a specified angle.