Reference geometry (planes, axes, points) in Solidworks - Real Business Scenario

Scenario Mode

👤 Your Role: You are a product design analyst at a manufacturing company.

📋 Request: Your manager wants a report showing how often different types of reference geometry (planes, axes, points) are used in recent CAD models to understand design complexity.

📊 Data: You have a dataset listing recent CAD models with counts of reference planes, axes, and points used in each model.

🎯 Deliverable: Create a dashboard showing total counts and average usage of each reference geometry type across models, with a bar chart comparing them.

Sample Data

Model ID	Reference Planes	Reference Axes	Reference Points
M001	5	3	2
M002	7	4	3
M003	6	5	4
M004	4	2	1
M005	8	6	5
M006	5	3	2
M007	7	4	3
M008	6	5	4

1

Step 1: Load the dataset into your BI tool.

Import the table with columns: Model ID, Reference Planes, Reference Axes, Reference Points.

Expected Result

Dataset loaded with 8 models and their reference geometry counts.

2

Step 2: Create measures to calculate total counts for each reference geometry type.

Total Reference Planes = SUM('Table'[Reference Planes]) Total Reference Axes = SUM('Table'[Reference Axes]) Total Reference Points = SUM('Table'[Reference Points])

Expected Result

Total Reference Planes = 48 Total Reference Axes = 32 Total Reference Points = 24

3

Step 3: Create measures to calculate average usage per model for each reference geometry type.

Average Reference Planes = AVERAGE('Table'[Reference Planes]) Average Reference Axes = AVERAGE('Table'[Reference Axes]) Average Reference Points = AVERAGE('Table'[Reference Points])

Expected Result

Average Reference Planes = 6 Average Reference Axes = 4 Average Reference Points = 3

4

Step 4: Build a bar chart visualization comparing total counts of reference planes, axes, and points.

Set Axis: Reference Geometry Type (Planes, Axes, Points) Set Values: Corresponding Total counts

Expected Result

Bar chart showing Planes=48, Axes=32, Points=24

5

Step 5: Add cards or KPI visuals to display average usage per model for each reference geometry type.

Display Average Reference Planes, Average Reference Axes, Average Reference Points measures in separate cards.

Expected Result

Cards show averages: Planes=6, Axes=4, Points=3

6

Step 6: Arrange visuals on a dashboard with clear titles and labels for easy understanding.

Title: 'Reference Geometry Usage in CAD Models' Labels: 'Total Count' for bar chart, 'Average per Model' for cards

Expected Result

Dashboard clearly shows total and average usage of planes, axes, and points.

Final Result

Reference Geometry Usage in CAD Models

Total Counts Bar Chart:
Planes  |████████████████████████████████████████████| 48
Axes    |████████████████████████                    | 32
Points  |████████████████                            | 24

Average Usage per Model:
Planes: 6
Axes: 4
Points: 3

✓Reference planes are the most used geometry type with a total of 48 across models.

✓Reference axes are used moderately with a total of 32.

✓Reference points are used the least with a total of 24.

✓On average, each model uses 6 planes, 4 axes, and 3 points, indicating design complexity.

Bonus Challenge

Create a trend line chart showing how the usage of each reference geometry type changes across models sorted by Model ID.

Show Hint

Sort models by Model ID and plot counts of planes, axes, and points as separate lines to observe usage trends.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of creating reference geometry like planes, axes, and points in SolidWorks?

easy

A. To add color and texture to parts

B. To increase the file size of the model

C. To provide invisible guides for sketching and aligning parts

D. To automatically generate 3D animations

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand what reference geometry does

   Reference geometry creates invisible guides such as planes, axes, and points that help in sketching and aligning parts accurately.

2. Step 2: Eliminate unrelated options

   Adding color, increasing file size, or generating animations are unrelated to reference geometry's purpose.

3. Final Answer:

   To provide invisible guides for sketching and aligning parts -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Reference geometry = invisible guides [OK]

Hint: Reference geometry guides your design, not decor or animation [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing reference geometry with visual effects
• Thinking it changes part appearance
• Assuming it creates animations

2. Which of the following is the correct way to create a new reference plane offset from an existing plane in SolidWorks?

easy

A. Right-click the part and select 'Add Axis'

B. Draw a line and convert it to a plane

C. Use the Extrude tool on the existing plane

D. Select the existing plane, then specify the offset distance and direction

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall how to create an offset plane

   In SolidWorks, to create an offset plane, you select an existing plane and specify the offset distance and direction.

2. Step 2: Identify incorrect methods

   Drawing a line or using Extrude does not create planes. Adding an axis is unrelated to creating a plane.

3. Final Answer:

   Select the existing plane, then specify the offset distance and direction -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Offset plane = select plane + offset [OK]

Hint: Offset planes start from existing planes with distance [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to create planes from lines
• Using Extrude tool incorrectly
• Confusing axes with planes

3. Given a part with a default Front Plane and a created reference axis along an edge, what will happen if you create a new plane perpendicular to that axis and passing through a point on the part?

medium

A. A new plane will be created perpendicular to the axis and passing through the point

B. An error will occur because planes cannot be perpendicular to axes

C. The existing Front Plane will be deleted

D. The axis will be converted into a plane

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand plane creation rules

   In SolidWorks, you can create a plane perpendicular to an axis and passing through a point by selecting those references.

2. Step 2: Evaluate the options

   No error occurs; existing planes are not deleted; axes are not converted into planes automatically.

3. Final Answer:

   A new plane will be created perpendicular to the axis and passing through the point -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Plane perpendicular to axis + point = new plane [OK]

Hint: Planes can be perpendicular to axes through points [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking planes can't be perpendicular to axes
• Assuming existing planes get deleted
• Confusing axes and planes

4. You tried to create a reference axis by selecting two points, but SolidWorks did not create the axis. What is the most likely reason?

medium

A. The two points are coincident or the same point

B. You need to select three points to create an axis

C. Axes cannot be created from points in SolidWorks

D. You must create a plane first before creating an axis

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand axis creation from points

   To create an axis from two points, they must be distinct and not coincident.

2. Step 2: Analyze the problem

   If the points are the same or coincident, SolidWorks cannot define a direction for the axis, so it fails.

3. Final Answer:

   The two points are coincident or the same point -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Distinct points needed for axis [OK]

Hint: Two distinct points needed to create an axis [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Selecting the same point twice
• Thinking three points are needed
• Believing axes can't be made from points

5. You need to create a reference plane that is angled 45 degrees to the Front Plane and passes through a specific edge of your part. Which steps should you follow?

hard

A. Draw a sketch on the Front Plane and extrude it at 45 degrees

B. Select the Front Plane, then select the edge as the rotation axis, and set the angle to 45 degrees

C. Create a new axis first, then create a plane offset 45 degrees from the Top Plane

D. Select the edge and convert it directly into a plane

Solution

1. Step 1: Use the Front Plane and edge as references

   To create an angled plane, select the Front Plane as the base and the edge as the rotation axis.

2. Step 2: Set the angle to 45 degrees

   Specify the angle of 45 degrees to create the new reference plane at the desired orientation.

3. Final Answer:

   Select the Front Plane, then select the edge as the rotation axis, and set the angle to 45 degrees -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Plane angled 45° = base plane + edge axis + angle [OK]

Hint: Angle planes by rotating base plane around edge axis [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to convert edges directly into planes
• Using wrong base plane for angle
• Skipping axis creation step