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How to Add a Plane in SOLIDWORKS

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Reference planes in SOLIDWORKS give you stable places to sketch, create features, mirror geometry, measure offsets, and control model layout. You can add a plane from an existing face, plane, edge, axis, vertex, or combination of references.

Use a new plane when the default Front, Top, and Right planes do not match the feature or sketch you need to create.

Add a reference plane

  1. Open the part or assembly.
  2. Go to Features > Reference Geometry > Plane.
  3. Select the first reference, such as a face, existing plane, edge, or axis.
  4. Add a second or third reference if SOLIDWORKS needs more information.
  5. Set the offset distance, angle, midpoint, or other condition.
  6. Preview the plane and click OK.

Common plane types

  • Offset plane: creates a plane parallel to an existing face or plane at a set distance.
  • Angled plane: creates a plane at an angle from a reference edge, axis, or plane.
  • Midplane: creates a plane halfway between two selected faces or planes.
  • Plane through three points: creates a plane from three selected vertices or points.

Use the plane for a sketch

After creating the plane, select it and start a sketch. This is the normal workflow for features that need to start away from the default planes, such as angled cuts, ribs, layout sketches, or reference profiles.

If you created the plane only for reference, keep it visible while working and hide it later so the model stays easy to read.

Troubleshooting reference planes

  • The plane flips direction: use the flip or reverse option in the Plane PropertyManager.
  • The plane is underdefined: add another reference until the preview is stable.
  • The feature fails later: avoid referencing faces that may disappear after edits.
  • The plane clutters the model: hide reference geometry after the feature is complete.

For related workflows, see how to make an angled plane in SOLIDWORKS and how to change the plane of a sketch in SOLIDWORKS.

Reference: SOLIDWORKS Help documents Plane under Reference Geometry, with creation methods based on selected model references such as planes, faces, edges, vertices, and axes.

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