How Do I Move a Part to a Different Plane in SolidWorks?

by

Have you ever found yourself working on a complex design in SolidWorks, only to realize that a certain part needs to be moved to a different plane? Don’t worry, it’s a common situation that many designers face.

Fortunately, SolidWorks offers several methods to easily move a part to a different plane. In this tutorial, we will explore these methods step by step.

Method 1: Using the Move/Copy Feature

If you want to move a part to a different plane without changing its orientation or size, the Move/Copy feature is the way to go. Here’s how:

  1. Select the part you want to move by clicking on it in the SolidWorks graphics area.
  2. Right-click on the selected part and choose “Move/Copy” from the context menu.
  3. In the Move/Copy PropertyManager, select the desired Target plane from the “Destination” dropdown list.
  4. Click OK to apply the changes and move the part to the new plane.

This method allows you to quickly reposition parts while keeping their original properties intact.

Method 2: Using Mate References

If you want more control over how your part is aligned with the new plane, you can use Mate References. Follow these steps:

  1. Select the face or edge of your part that will serve as a reference for alignment with the new plane.
  2. Create a Mate Reference by right-clicking on the selected face or edge and choosing “Add Mate Reference”.
  3. In the Mate PropertyManager, select the desired Target plane from the “Reference Geometry” dropdown list.
  4. Click OK to apply the changes and align the part with the new plane based on the selected reference.

This method gives you greater flexibility in positioning and aligning parts within your assembly.

Method 3: Using Move Entities

If you’re working with sketches and want to move sketch entities to a different plane, you can use the Move Entities feature. Here’s how:

  1. Select the sketch entities you want to move by clicking and dragging a selection box around them.
  2. Right-click on the selected entities and choose “Move Entities” from the context menu.
  3. Click OK to apply the changes and move the sketch entities to the new plane.

This method is especially useful when working with complex sketches that need to be repositioned quickly and accurately.

In conclusion,

Moving a part to a different plane in SolidWorks is essential for achieving accurate designs. Whether you prefer using features like Move/Copy, Mate References, or Move Entities, SolidWorks provides multiple options to suit your specific needs. By mastering these methods, you’ll be able to efficiently modify your designs and improve your overall productivity in SolidWorks.