Setting the Working Plane with Three Points

Two methods are available for defining the working plane in Three Points mode. The first method allows the position and angle of the working plane to be set by defining the origin and axes of the new working plane location. The second method sets the position and angle of the working plane according to a rendered object’s surface.

Setting the Working Plane

Work in wireframe mode to save time.

 

To set the working plane with three points:

1.	Select a view other than Top/Plan.

2.	Click the Set Working Plane tool from the 3D Modeling tool set, and then select Three Points from the Tool bar.

3.	Click to set the first point.

This becomes the center of the working plane.

4.	Click to set the second point.

This corresponds to the working plane I axis.

5.	Select the third point.

Once the third point is defined, VectorWorks automatically sets the working plane to intersect all three points.

Setting the Working Plane to a Rendered Object’s Surface

The working plane can be defined according to the surface of a rendered object.

 

To set the working plane to a rendered object’s surface:

1.	Select a view other than Top/Plan and a rendering mode for the drawing.

Select a rendering mode of Unshaded Polygon, Shaded Polygon, Shaded Polygon No Lines, or Final Shaded Polygon.

2.	Click the Set Working Plane tool from the 3D Modeling tool set, and then select Three Points from the Tool bar.

The cursor changes to a pointing hand when over the surface of a rendered object.

3.	Click on the surface to use for defining the working plane location.

The working plane position is set to the selected surface.