another new SW user with a ?? re: planes

[weaver]

Hi All, the model/feature disappears from view when "edit sketch plane" is selected. Using PE SP4.1 I usually figure it's operator error, but could use a enlightment here.
-- weaver

[JerryFlyGuy]

Several things could be happening, depending on when this occurs. Are you saying that when you go to edit your plane and your in the function the model disappears? This is normal. Since SW follow's a chronological order of features, if you were to edit something on the first feature, all the rest would have to wait until the editing had been completed before they can re-build. Now, if you edit the sketch plane and then hit the checkmark and the model disappears, this generally mean's you have a sketch geometry conflict. If you edit the sketch which you moved [to another plane] and check it for error's. Also, it could be that by moving the sketch, the extrude that you'd used the sketch for no longer has geometry to extrude up to [if you did an 'up to next' or something of that nature]. Can you post the model for us to look at? Oh wait.. we can't open a PE model... Btw what year of PE edition is it? Screen shot's might help..as well, if you can show the geometry of the sketch and the extrude etc..

Jerry

[weaver]

Jerry,
Thanks for the info. Just a simple sketch, trying to learn the SW ropes. Anyway, "edit sketch plane" cannot be accessed if one is already in sketch mode, and if the model disappears I was wondering how to establish a new plane on a particular face -- say, I changed my mind after extruding the feature and wanted to have the face of it on the top plane instead of the front plane. I gave this another try before this reply: if I type another plane name into the box (overwriting the existing name), and click the check mark, the feature reappears and the plane has changed to the one I typed in. I had not attempted to do this -- hadn't "stepped out of the box" -- so "experimenting" paid a dividend. 3D is challenging to my 2D brain!!

Sure pleased that there is a forum, and willing respondents!!
Until next question, Weaver

[weaver]

I'll be the first to admit my errors:
I had it all wrong; now I'm clear.
There is a Feature Manager tree in the graphics window! why didn't they say that?
I feel all better, now.

--weaver

[JerryFlyGuy]

Yup, and that feature tree will give you the chronological order of what you've done, if your editing a sketch that appears early on in the model the rest of the features that come after the sketch won't show because they are dependant on the sketch your currently modifying.. as long as you use the feature tree as your guide you should be ok in this regard..

Jerry