Constructing a plane

[mechy20]

I have been using SW regularly since ver 2003. However I find myself unable to do something very basic.
I am trying to construct a plane with three points (x,y,z) whose coordinates I know.
The options I tried are:
* Tried to create a plane (but forces me to pick points that exist in the model)
* Tried to create points (but forces me to pick a planar sketch in XY,XZ or YZ)
* Tried 3D sketch to see if I could place points in x,y,z but was unable to do so.

I have one idea which I am yet to try out. I can construct a solid having two out of the three known coordinates and make sure that the third coordinate can be located after extrude (either as an identifiable feature or a sketch) and then construct a plane using those three points.

But this seems too roundabout for a cad program. Is there any feature in surfaces (sheetmetal) that would allow me to create planes?

Thanks in advance....

 

[matherjd]

>Tried 3D sketch to see if I could place points in x,y,z but was unable to do so.

This method should work. Start the 3D sketch and click the Point tool. Click anywhere on the screen and then a dialog box should appear allowing you to enter the x,y,z parameters. Do that for each of your three points. Return from sketch and create your workplane.

Autodesk Inventor Certified Expert
Certified SolidWorks Professional

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

* Tried 3D sketch to see if I could place points in x,y,z but was unable to do so.

What prevented you from being able to?
Were you getting an error message?

 

[mechy20]

Thanks all for your posts, I will try it again and let you know.

 

[mechy20]

Alright, my mistake, I wasnt looking careful enough. It works fine. Thanks again !