Part Modeling > Datum Features > Coordinate Systems > About the Coordinate System User Interface
  
About the Coordinate System User Interface
The Coordinate System user interface consists of the Coordinate System dialog box and shortcut menus. Click Model > Coordinate System to open the Coordinate System dialog box.
Coordinate System Dialog Box
The Coordinate System dialog box contains the following tabs:
Origin
References collector—Displays references to place the coordinate system.
Type list—Sets the offset dimensions according to the type of placement surface for the first coordinate system on a reference surface. The offset dimension types are:
Linear—Uses two linear offset dimensions measured from specified offset references to the placement point.
Radial—Determines the distance (radius) of the placement point from the offset reference and the angular dimension to determine the angle that the placement point is away from the other offset reference. Used for planar or cylindrical placement surfaces.
Diameter—Determines the distance (diameter) of the placement point from the offset reference and the angular dimension to determine the angle that the placement point is away from the other offset reference. Use for planar or cylindrical placement surfaces.
 
* If the placement surface is cylindrical or conical, the default offset type is Radial. If the placement surface is planar, the default offset type is Linear.
Offset references—Defines the two offset references that, together with the placement collector, set the position of the coordinate system.
Offset type list—Sets the offset dimensions according to the type of placement surface for the sequential coordinate systems on the same surface as the reference coordinate system:
Cartesian—Uses x-, y-, and z-coordinates to establish the position in relation to the referenced coordinate system.
Cylindrical—Uses radius, theta, and z-coordinates to establish the position in relation to the referenced coordinate system.
Spherical—Uses radius, phi, and theta coordinates to establish the position in relation to the referenced coordinate system.
From File—Imports a coordinate system's location from a transformation file.
Orientation
References selection—Sets the direction references for any two of the coordinate system's axes:
Use collector—Displays a reference to orient the first axis of the new coordinate system.
to determine list—Selects the axis of the new coordinate system in the first direction to orient in relation to the reference in the Use collector.
 
* By default the primary placement reference is used as the first axis orientation direction reference; the first axis orientation direction is normal to the primary placement reference.
Use—Displays a reference to orient the second axis of the new coordinate system.
to project—Selects the axis of the new coordinate system in the second direction to orient in relation to the reference in the Use collector.
 
* By default the first offset reference is used as the second axis orientation direction; the second axis direction is projected from the offset reference.
Flip—Reverses the orientation of the axis.
Add rotation about the first axis check box—Adds a rotation angle around the first axis.
Rotation box—Sets the rotation angle around the first axis, measured from the second axis.
The default label of the first axis is the x-axis for an offset coordinate system, and the z-axis for an on-surface coordinate system.
Selected CSYS axes—Rotates the current coordinate system around the axis of the coordinate system used as a placement reference. The first offset reference selected is used as the second orientation direction reference.
About X
About Y
About Z
Set Z Normal To Screen—Sets the z-axis as perpendicular to the graphics window.
Properties
Name box—Sets a name for a feature.
—Displays detailed component information in a browser.
Display coordinate system name check box—Displays the name of the coordinate system near the coordinate system origin.
Display zoom-dependent check box—Makes the size of the coordinate system dependent on the zoom of the model. When the model size increases, the size of the coordinate system also increases.
Axis length—Sets a length value for the coordinate system axes.
Shortcut Menus
Right-click the graphics window or a placement handle for the following shortcut menus:
Origin Placement—Activates the References collector.
Offset References
First Direction—Activates the Use collector to orient the first axis.
Second Direction—Activates the Use collector to orient the second axis.
Flip X—Flips the axis in the x-direction.
Flip Y—Flips the axis in the y-direction.
Flip Z—Flips the axis in the z-direction.
Add Rotation—Adds a rotation angle around the first axis.
Linear
Radial
Diameter