Insert a reference plane between planes

[JL82]

Is it possible to add a reference plane between planes choosing two planes?

 

[HaroldL]

Not yet. It has been requested though.
You'll have to create some Reference Geometry between the two planes first. Here's an example of one method.

 

[Markaj]

If you already have the two planes (or faces) they will be a dimension in your model fixing how far apart they are (‘D...’) in the parameter list.
Dig it out & when you define your new plane make it ‘D../2’ from one of the planes you want to reference from.

 

[idslk]

Hello colleagues,

looks like work for a skript
This one is only a quick shot out the hip...
It works only in a part with orthogonal planes which have the same perpendicular axis, puh , "a lot" of restrictions.
May the next version be better...

Start with two planes and an axis:



Result is a middle "ReferencePlane" (and two points...):



Regards
Stefan

 

[bigseb]

Why use a script when its easily done with parameters. Markaj nailed it. Parameters ftw.

 

[idslk]

Hello Sebastian,
because i don't want to search in a long list for the Dx Parameter which holds the Plane distance in the EE and the type some info into the next box for creating s plane...seems i'm a little bit lasy...
The script uses only the mouse for input...
Regards
Stefan

 

[Markaj]

Hello Sebastian,
because i don't want to search in a long list for the Dx Parameter which holds the Plane distance in the EE and the type some info into the next box for creating s plane...seems i'm a little bit lasy...
The script uses only the mouse for input...
Regards
Stefan

Just give the dimension that defines the first plane when you create it an obvious name - then it’s easy to find.....
But yes a script to do it would be a cool thing to have

 

[bigseb]

Hello Sebastian,
because i don't want to search in a long list for the Dx Parameter which holds the Plane distance in the EE and the type some info into the next box for creating s plane...seems i'm a little bit lasy...
The script uses only the mouse for input...
Regards
Stefan

I couldn't tell you the first thing about scripts. Never use it. Crashes AD every time. The equation editor is there and has all the info I need.

 

[HaroldL]

If you already have the two planes (or faces) they will be a dimension in your model fixing how far apart they are (‘D...’) in the parameter list.
Dig it out & when you define your new plane make it ‘D../2’ from one of the planes you want to reference from.

I've used that before in one of my models - don't know why I didn't think of it. I think I used an extrusion distance/2 to place the plane at that time. Of course the distance parameter was renamed with a couple of zeros or Z's so it would be at the end of the list.
Others may add more comments on renaming and ordering EE parameters on this post.

 

[idslk]

Hello colleagues,

try this one...
works with hopefully no restrictions.



including:



(allows halfway to the otherside...)

Regards
Stefan

 

[HaroldL]

Well, it certainly places a plane midway between two other planes. However, if you move or edit the location of one of the "parent" planes the mid plane remains at its initial location, it does not update to the new mid plane location. It would be nice if it did.
Also, while you're at it, can you have an option to bisect the angle between two planes? That would be nice.

 

[JL82]

A Script is great for a part but no a sheetmetal part.

 

[idslk]

@JL82

but no a sheetmetal part.

You're right, sorry there is no Alibre Script in sheet metal. For a dynamic plane you would have to go with a solution like Harolds.

@HaroldL
Hello Harold, the way the new plane moves is the same as

new plane make it ‘D../2’ from one of the planes you want to reference from.

The script combines the available information and calculates! the distance (because DistanceTo does not work with planes...) and uses the half of the distance as the plane offset to the Plane1 you choose in the requester.
So the ReferencePlane moves in respect to plane1.
There is no variable available for the position of the planes in the EE. If the two planes are build through a cascade of several planes or faces or so, it isn't easy to find an formula for the position for the use in the EE. For the dynamic midplane i see three way's:

• creating support geometrie like you did
• do nearly the same in a script
• the AlibreDesign crew adds an constraint.

As far as solution three would be my favorite, I will think about a skript solution, maybe i will find one...
The "bisect the angle" thing is a bigger one due to the limits of AlibreScript. Althought you can do a lot with AS, not all of the AlibreX.dll is available today. Will have a look even thought.

Regards
Stefan