1. In this chapter, you will learn the following:
Chapter 6: Creating Reference Geometries
In this chapter, you will learn the following:
Creating Reference Planes
Creating a Reference Axis
Creating a Reference Coordinate System
Creating a Reference Point

2. Chapter 6: Creating Reference Geometries
In SOLIDWORKS, three default reference planes such as Front, Top, and Right are available, by default. You can use these reference planes to create the base feature of a model by extruding or revolving the sketch, as discussed in earlier chapters. However, to create a real world model having multiple features, you may need additional reference planes. You can create additional reference planes by using the Plane tool, which is available in the Reference Geometry flyout.

3. Creating Reference Planes
Chapter 6: Creating Reference Geometries
Creating Reference Planes
In SOLIDWORKS, you can create reference planes at an offset distance from an existing plane or planar face; parallel to an existing plane or planar face; at an angle to an existing plane or planar face; normal to a curve by using the Plane tool.
To create a reference plane, click on the down arrow in the Reference Geometry tool of the Features CommandManager. The Reference Geometry flyout appears. In this flyout, click on the Plane tool. The Plane PropertyManager appears.

4. Chapter 6: Creating Reference Geometries
Note that for creating a fully defined reference plane, maximum three references are required.
First Reference
The First Reference rollout is used to define the first reference for a plane. You can select a face, a plane, a vertex, a point, an edge, or a curve as the first reference for creating a plane. Note that the selection of a reference depends upon the type of plane to be created.

5. Chapter 6: Creating Reference Geometries
Second Reference
The Second Reference rollout is used to define the second reference for creating a reference plane. The options in this rollout are same as those discussed in the First Reference rollout. You need to define the second reference while creating planes such as plane at an angle, plane tangent to a cylindrical face, plane perpendicular to a planar face, and so on.
Third Reference
The Third Reference rollout is used to define the third reference for creating a reference plane. The options in this rollout are same as those discussed in the First Reference rollout. You need to define the third reference while creating a reference plane, which passes through three points or vertices.

6. Chapter 6: Creating Reference Geometries
Creating a Plane at an Offset Distance

7. Chapter 6: Creating Reference Geometries
Creating a Parallel Plane

8. Chapter 6: Creating Reference Geometries
Creating a Plane at an Angle

9. Chapter 6: Creating Reference Geometries
Creating a Plane passing through Three Points/Vertices

10. Chapter 6: Creating Reference Geometries
Creating a Plane Normal to a Curve

11. Chapter 6: Creating Reference Geometries
Creating a Plane at the middle of two Faces/Planes

12. Chapter 6: Creating Reference Geometries
Creating a Plane Tangent to a Cylindrical Face

13. Chapter 6: Creating Reference Geometries
Creating a Plane Parallel to the Screen

14. Chapter 6: Creating Reference Geometries
Creating a Plane Projected onto a Non-Planar Face

15. Creating a Reference Axis
Chapter 6: Creating Reference Geometries
Creating a Reference Axis
Similar to creating a reference plane, you can create a reference axis. Reference axis is used as the axis of revolution for creating features such as revolved and circular pattern. To create a reference axis, click on the Axis tool in the Reference Geometry flyout. The Axis PropertyManager appears.

16. Chapter 6: Creating Reference Geometries
The options in the Axis PropertyManager are used to create different types of axes and are as follows:
One Line/Edge/Axis

17. Chapter 6: Creating Reference Geometries
Two Planes

18. Chapter 6: Creating Reference Geometries
Two Points/Vertices

19. Chapter 6: Creating Reference Geometries
Cylindrical/Conical Face

20. Chapter 6: Creating Reference Geometries
Point and Face/Plane

21. Creating a Reference Coordinate System
Chapter 6: Creating Reference Geometries
Creating a Reference Coordinate System
In addition to creating reference plane and axis, you can also create reference coordinate systems by using the Coordinate System tool in the Reference Geometry flyout.

22. Chapter 6: Creating Reference Geometries
A coordinate system shown in below figure is created by defining origin, X axis, and Y axis.

23. Creating a Reference Point
Chapter 6: Creating Reference Geometries
Creating a Reference Point
A reference point can be created anywhere in a 3D model or space and is used as a reference for measuring distance, creating planes, and so on. To create a reference point, invoke the Reference Geometry flyout and then click on the Point tool. The Point PropertyManager appears.

24. Chapter 6: Creating Reference Geometries
Arc Center
The Arc Center button is used to create a point at the center of a circular or semi-circular edge .

25. Chapter 6: Creating Reference Geometries
Center of Face
The Center of Face button is used to create a point at the center of a selected planar or a non-planar face.

26. Chapter 6: Creating Reference Geometries
Intersection
The Intersection button is used to create a point at the intersection of two entities. You can select edges, curves, sketch segments, or a combination of these and a face as the entities to create a point.

27. Chapter 6: Creating Reference Geometries
Projection
The Projection button is used to create a point by projecting one entity onto another entity of a model.

28. Chapter 6: Creating Reference Geometries
On point
The On point button is used to create a reference point onto a sketch point or on a point of a sketch.

29. Chapter 6: Creating Reference Geometries
Along curve distance or multiple reference point
The Along curve distance or multiple reference point button is used to create a reference point on an edge, a curve, or a sketch entity. As soon as you select an edge, a curve, or a sketch entity, this button gets activated and the preview of reference point appears in the graphics area with default settings. Also, three radio buttons: Distance, Percentage, and Evenly Distribute appear in the PropertyManager .

30. Tutorial 1 Chapter 6: Creating Reference Geometries
Create the multi-feature model as shown in the figure given below. You need to create the model by creating all its features one by one. All dimensions are in mm.
To create this tutorial, follow the steps given in the textbook.

31. Tutorial 2 Chapter 6: Creating Reference Geometries
Create the multi-feature model as shown in the figure given below. All dimensions are in mm.
To create this tutorial, follow the steps given in the textbook.

32. Tutorial 3 Chapter 6: Creating Reference Geometries
Create the model shown in the figure given below. All dimensions are in mm.
To create this tutorial, follow the steps given in the textbook.

33. Hands-on Test Drive 1 Chapter 6: Creating Reference Geometries
Create the model shown in the figure given below. All dimensions are in mm.

34. Summary Chapter 6: Creating Reference Geometries
In this chapter, you have learned about three default planes: Front, Top, and Right. These three default planes may not be enough for creating models having multiple features. Therefore, you need to create additional reference planes. You have learned how to create additional reference planes. Also, you have learned about creating a reference axis, reference coordinates system and a reference point by using the respective tools.

35. Questions Chapter 6: Creating Reference Geometries
You can create reference planes by using the ________ tool.
To create a reference plane parallel to a planar face of a model, you need to define two references: first reference can be a planar face and second reference can be a ________, ________, or ________ .
To create a reference plane at an angle to a planar face/plane, you need to define two references: first reference can be a planar face/plane and second reference can be a ________, ________, or ________ .
The ________ tool is used to create reference axis.
The ________ tool is used to create coordinate systems.
In SOLIDWORKS, you can create a reference point at the intersection of two entities. (True/False).
You cannot select a planar face of existing features as the sketching plane for creating a feature. (True/False).