To Orient a Coordinate System
For the options to appear on the Orientation tab, references must first be selected for the coordinate system.
1. Perform one of these actions:
◦ To create a new coordinate system, click
Model >
Coordinate System.
◦ To edit a coordinate system, right-click the coordinate system in the Model Tree, and choose
Edit Definition.
The Coordinate System dialog box opens.
2. Click the Orientation tab.
3. In the Orient by section, click one of the following options:
◦ References selection—Orients the coordinate system by selecting references for two of the axes.
For each of the direction collectors, select a reference and select a direction name from the list.
1. For the first direction:
a. Click the Use direction collector and select a reference to orient the first direction.
b. From the to determine list, select the axis to lie along the first direction.
c. To flip the first direction, click Flip.
|  By default, the first direction of the coordinate system is assumed to be parallel to the first origin reference. If the reference is a straight edge, curve or axis then the coordinate system axis is oriented parallel to that reference. If a plane is selected then the first direction of the coordinate system is oriented normal to the plane. |
2. For the second direction:
a. Click the Use direction collector and select a reference to orient the second direction.
b. From the to project list, select the axis to lie along the second direction.
c. To flip the second direction, click Flip.
| The system calculates the second direction by projecting the second reference to be orthogonal to the first direction. |
◦ Selected CSYS axes—Orients the coordinate system by rotating it around the axes of the coordinate system that is used as a placement reference.
For each axis, perform an action:
▪ Type a value in degrees in the value box.
▪ Right-click the graphics window and choose Orient from the shortcut menu. Use the drag handle to position each axis.
| Click the drag handle at the center of the coordinate system to rotate the coordinate system about each of the reference coordinate system's axes. To change directions, point to the drag handle and then move the pointer toward one of the axes. As you move the cursor toward the axes, the drag handle changes direction. |
◦ Set Z Normal To Screen—Orients the z-axis perpendicular to the screen.
4. Click OK.