The work area (user interface) > Workplanes > Set the active workplane
  
Set the active workplane
As you work with Creo Elements/Direct Modeling you will notice that most operations (for example, workplanes and machining) use the active workplane as the default. Creo Elements/Direct Modeling displays the name of the active workplane in the Status Bar next to the active part window.
To set an active workplane, perform one of the following actions:
Right-click in the workplane box of the Status Bar, click Set Active WP on the context menu, and select the workplane in the viewport.
Click the workplane box on the Status Bar and enter the path and name of the workplane.
Select a workplane in the viewport, right-click and click Set Active WP on the context menu.
Select a workplane in the viewport and click (Set Active WP) on the Command Mini Toolbar (CMT).
Select the workplane in the Structure Browser, right-click and click Set Active on the context menu.