Menu path
CAD > Edit > CPL (Pulldown menu)
CAD > Cpl (Right menu)
🧾 What Construction Planes (CPL) are
The construction plane (CPL) is a selectable and user-definable 3D coordinate system that allows you to continually reposition the X-Y plane for easier and more efficient model construction. The Z value (unless otherwise specified) is always equal to zero, enabling you to focus on X and Y coordinates only.
When enabled, the current CPL appears in the graphics display as a symbol showing its X and Y axis positive directions. This symbol remains a constant size relative to the screen for all Zoom and View manipulations (except some perspective view definitions).
The model exists in an absolute model coordinate system which cannot be changed. The List Verify command will always display both the current CPL coordinates and the model coordinates of a selected entity.
In this example - model start and end, X,Y,Z and CPL start and end, which might be different depending on the position of the CPL.
🔧 Standard Construction Planes
The standard construction planes provided are:
Top
Bottom
Front
Back
Left
Right
Isometric
All standard CPLs originate at the absolute system coordinates X=0, Y=0 and Z=0. You can also create new CPLs by specifying three coordinate locations, manipulating existing CPLs through rotation and/or translation, and aligning to user-defined views.
🛠 CPL Grid System
Each CPL can display a grid with user-specified spacing. The grid is a two-dimensional array of uniformly spaced points that act as a visual and locating aid to model construction. The grid displays on the X-Y plane of the CPL originating at the CPL coordinates X=0, Y=0, Z=0.
🔧 CPL Commands
CPL > Select
Allows selection of a CPL for current model construction. Opens the Select CPL dialog box listing all standard and user-created CPLs for the current model. Only one CPL is selected at any time, regardless of the number of views currently displayed.
CPL > Reset
Restores the previously determined Cpl Set parameters of the current CPL. If CPL manipulations (translations, rotations, view alignment) are unsuitable or no longer required, this command restores the CPL to the last saved parameters.
CPL > Set
Saves the current CPL location, orientation and grid parameters for the current CPL. These saved parameters will be restored when the Cpl Reset command is performed. Parameters are filed with the model.
CPL > Reset-Std
Resets the current CPL parameters with those of a standard CPL. Opens the Std Cpl sub-menu listing only the standard CPLs (Top, Bottom, Front, Back, Left, Right and Isometric).
CPL > Change
Opens the Cpl Change sub-menu allowing the current CPL to be changed through translation, origin relocation, rotation, coordinate redefinition, and view alignment.
Function | Description |
Translate | Relocates the current CPL. Select two points to define distance and direction of translation.  |
Origin | Relocates the CPL origin. Select a single point for the new CPL origin. Orientation unchanged. |
Rotate | Rotates the CPL by a specified angle about a defined axis. Select two points for start and end of rotation axis, then specify angle. Uses right-hand rule for direction.  |
3-Points | Redefines CPL location and orientation. First point = new origin, second point = positive X-axis direction, third point = positive Y-axis direction.  |
View | Aligns the current CPL to the current view definition.  |
CPL > Show
Visually restores the CPL symbol to the graphics display area. CPL parameters remain unaffected.
CPL > Hide
Visually removes the CPL symbol from the graphics display area. CPL parameters remain active.
🔧 CPL Grid Commands
CPL > Set-Grid (Right Menu Only)
Opens the CPL Set-Grid Defaults dialog box to determine grid parameters for the current CPL.
Parameter | Description |
X Grid spacing | Defines the X grid value |
Y Grid spacing | Defines the Y grid value |
X Reference spacing | Defines the X reference spacing |
Y Reference spacing | Defines the Y reference spacing |
Grid spacings are in model units. Reference spacings are factors indicating the number of grid spacings between reference points. Grid spacings display as dots while reference spacings display as small crosses.
CPL > Rad-Grid (Right Menu Only)
Sets the radial grid displaying on the X-Y plane of the CPL, originating at CPL coordinates X=0, Y=0, Z=0. Grid points appear as dots and reference points as small crosses on radial axes.
Parameter | Description |
Radial grid spacing | Distance between adjacent grid points on same axis (model units) |
Number of sectors | Number of radial axes for the grid |
Radial reference spacing | Number of grid points between reference points on same axis |
Angular reference spacing | Number of axes between reference axes (counted anti-clockwise from CPL X-axis) |
💡 Tip: Number of sectors should be greater than angular reference spacing and preferably a multiple of it for even reference point appearance.
⚠️ Important: Only one grid type (radial or X-Y) can be active at a time. Selecting one automatically turns off the other.
CPL > Grid-On
Enables and displays the grid for the current CPL. If the zoom scale is too large relative to grid spacing, the grid will be enabled but not displayed.
CPL > Grid-Off
Disables the grid for the current CPL and removes it from the screen.
CPL > Snap-On
Activates snapping of points to the closest grid point. All location selections will snap to the nearest grid point when a grid is active.
CPL > Snap-Off
Deactivates point snapping. All location selections will be true locations and will not snap to the active grid.
💡 Tip: Grid information is saved with the model rather than in the values.def file. When Mapping Tool is available and Mapping Grid is on, the radial grid will not display even if currently set.