Using Work Planes

Creating 3D Geometries From 2D Work Planes and 3D Faces

In addition to creating 3D geometries directly using 3D geometric primitives, it is also possible to form 3D geometries based on 2D sections (2D geometries) created in work planes or faces in the existing 3D geometry. A work plane is a 2D plane oriented anywhere in the 3D space. Quick options make it easy to create a work plane that is parallel to any of the main Cartesian planes or to a face or edge in an existing 3D geometry.

There are several methods to create 3D solid objects from 2D sections or faces. In addition, you can use a 2D section as an “embedded” surface in the 3D geometry.

Drawing on a work plane works just as drawing in 2D. The 3D work plane adapts its size to the drawn geometry.

See Electric Sensor (model library path COMSOL_Multiphysics/Electromagnetics/electric_sensor). Use the instructions to practice building the geometry, which includes Work Plane, Rectangle, Ellipse, Union, Compose, Extrude, and Block features.

Drawing on a 2D Work Plane in 3D

When using a Work Plane () node to define 2D objects in 3D (for example, to extrude into a 3D object), the 3D projection settings enable you to draw on the work plane in 3D. These instructions provide an example. When the View work plane geometry in 3D check box is selected in the Settings window for the Plane Geometry node () under the Work Plane node, two additional buttons are available in the Graphics window — the Align with work plane button () and the Work plane clipping button (). The standard 2D geometry draw toolbar is also available for use.

Some computer graphic cards cannot run the work plane rendering. In these cases, the work plane is rendered as a blue plane. It is possible to go to the 3D work plane but not to draw on the plane.

1	Add a 3D Component and then add a geometry (for example, a Sphere).

2	On the Geometry toolbar click Work Plane (or right-click Geometry 1 and select Work Plane.

3	Under Work Plane click the Plane Geometry node.

4	Under Visualization, select the View work plane geometry in 3D check box. See Figure 7-4 and Figure 7-5 to see what happens when the check box is selected.

5	The geometry displays in the Graphics window. See Figure 7-5 for an example.

-	Click the Align with work plane button () to rotate and move the camera to see the work plane from the top down.

-	Click to toggle the Work plane clipping button () on and off. When on, use it to cut away all geometries above the work plane and make it easier to draw when objects are overlapping within the work plane. The clipping is not done when looking at the work plane from the side.

6	Under In-plane visualization of 3D geometry, specify how to visualize 3D objects in the work plane (as blue curves and points) by selecting one or more of the following check boxes (all of them are selected by default):

-	Coincident entities (blue) — Show edges and points (in a pure blue color) that lie in the work plane.

-	Intersection (cyan) — Show the intersection of 3D geometry and the work plane (in cyan).

-	Projection (light blue) — Show the projection of all edges and points onto the work plane (in light blue).

Figure 7-4: The Graphics window displaying the Work Plane Geometry when the View work plane geometry in 3D check box is not selected.

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Figure 7-5: The Graphics window displaying the Work Plane Geometry with the View work plane geometry in 3D check box selected.

Figure 7-6: Click the Align with Work Plane button to display the geometry from the top down.

Figure 7-7: Click to turn on the Work Plane Clipping button and cut away all geometries above the work plane.