create_reference_plane
Create offset reference planes parallel to default planes or selected faces to anchor sketches or features at precise distances.
Instructions
Create a reference plane parallel to a default plane or a face.
Two anchoring modes (pass exactly ONE of offset_from /
face_centroid_mm):
Default-plane mode — pass
offset_fromas a default plane name. The new plane is parallel to that source plane, offset by offset_mm.Face mode (Lote 3 — chained features) — pass
face_centroid_mmas a 3-element [x, y, z] from list_faces(). The new plane is parallel to that face, offset along the face's outward normal direction. Use case: anchor a sketch above an angled bracket flange, on a draft surface, or above a previously- extruded boss top.
Args: offset_from: Default plane name — "front" / "top" / "right" (English) or Spanish UI: "Alzado" / "Planta" / "Vista lateral". offset_mm: Signed distance in mm. Positive = along the source plane's normal (or the face's outward normal); negative = opposite. Zero is rejected (would produce a coincident plane). Offsets negativos verificados en vivo (2026-06): ±30 desde "top" producen planos espejo. Para ejes de mate sigue siendo buena práctica el barreno en el origen de la pieza + create_reference_axis("front","right") (cero planos custom). face_centroid_mm: [x, y, z] in mm — face centroid from list_faces().
Returns the new plane's SW-assigned name (e.g., "Plano1"), parent reference, and the signed offset.
Common autoparts use: - Default-plane: rib offsets, fixture-clearance planes, layer references for in-plane mate fixtures. - Face mode: counterbore-on-flange-top, hole pattern offset above an angled bracket flange, layer planes anchored to a previously-extruded surface.
Example — sketch plane 25mm above the Front plane: create_reference_plane("front", 25.0)
Example — sketch plane 10mm above the top of a 50×50×20 block (after list_faces returns the +Z face's centroid): faces = list_faces() top = max( (f for f in faces if f["normal"] and f["normal"][2] > 0.9), key=lambda f: f["centroid_mm"][2], ) create_reference_plane(face_centroid_mm=top["centroid_mm"], offset_mm=10)
Caveat: angled and through-3-points reference planes are still deferred — face + signed offset covers most v1 needs.
Input Schema
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| offset_mm | No | ||
| offset_from | No | ||
| face_centroid_mm | No |