How to Change Plane on Fusion 360

Understanding how to change the active working plane in Fusion 360 is crucial for effective modeling. Selecting the right plane allows you to create sketches and features accurately. This guide will provide a step-by-step method to accomplish this task, enhancing your design process in Fusion 360.

Identifying Your Current Working Plane

Before making any changes, you need to identify which plane you are currently using. The default planes in Fusion 360 are:

• XY Plane: This is the horizontal plane you will see at the top when starting.
• XZ Plane: This plane runs vertically, oriented from front to back.
• YZ Plane: This vertical plane is oriented from left to right.

To see your current working plane:

1. Open your design in Fusion 360.
2. Look at the browser on the left side. Expand the “Origins” folder to see the default planes listed there.
3. Click on the icon of any plane to highlight it and confirm that it is set as the current active plane.

Selecting a New Plane for Your Sketch

To change the working plane, follow these steps:

1. Access the Sketch Menu: Navigate to the top menu bar and find the ‘Create’ drop-down menu.
2. Choose the Sketch Option: Click on the ‘Sketch’ option to reveal its sub-menu. Select ‘Create Sketch’.
3. Select a Plane: A dialog box will appear, showing the available planes—XY, XZ, YZ, or any additional reference planes created in your design. Click on the desired plane to activate it.
4. Confirm Your Selection: After selecting the new plane, you will notice a change in the coordinate axes displayed in the design space, confirming that the new plane is now active.

Creating a New Plane

If the existing planes do not meet your requirements, you can create a custom plane. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Construct Menu: From the top menu bar, select the “Construct” option.
2. Choose Plane Type: You have several methods to create a new plane, such as:
   • Offset Plane: Create a plane at a specific distance from an existing face or plane.
   • Plane at Angle: Define a plane tilted relative to an existing one.
   • Three Points: Specify a plane by selecting three points in your workspace.
3. Position the New Plane: Follow the prompts to position and define the plane according to your requirements.
4. Activate the New Plane: Once created, click on your new custom plane in the browser under the ‘Planes’ section to make it the active sketch plane.

Sketching on the New Plane

With your new active plane set, you can begin sketching:

1. Select the Sketch Tool: Access the ‘Create Sketch’ option again from the top menu.
2. Start Drawing: You can now utilize various sketch tools, such as lines, arcs, or circles. Simply click on the desired tool and begin your sketching process.
3. Use Dimensions: Don’t forget to add necessary dimensions to ensure precision in your design.

Finalizing Your Sketch

After sketching is complete, follow these steps to finalize:

1. Finish the Sketch: Click on ‘Finish Sketch’ in the toolbar.
2. Inspect Your Work: Rotate your view to ensure the sketch appears as intended in 3D space.
3. Proceed with Features: With your sketch finalized, you can continue to create features from the sketch, such as extrusions or cuts.

FAQ

1. How can I determine if my sketch is correctly oriented after changing planes?
Check the orientation of the sketch by rotating the model in the workspace. The normal vector of the sketch should be perpendicular to the active plane. Use the view cube to achieve different angles.

2. Can I switch back to the previous plane after changing it?
Yes, you can easily switch back. Just repeat the process by selecting the original plane from the browser and making it active again.

3. What should I do if I cannot see my new plane after creating it?
Ensure that the new plane is not hidden in the browser. Expand the ‘Planes’ folder in the browser and make sure the eye icon is toggled on to display it in your workspace.