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To get started with a 3D software quickly, it is essential to have a good grasp of the sketch plane, as whether it’s geometric shapes (such as 2D wireframe elements) or process features (such as hole features), they all need to be placed on this locked sketch plane. Many commands in the HaoChen 3D software use 2D planes to place geometries in the 3D model space. For example, when drawing 2D sketch elements such as lines, arcs, and circles, the 2D elements lie in the model’s coordinate plane, reference plane, or a plane. This 2D plane is called the sketch plane, and only one sketch plane can be used at a time. Specific steps: 1. Select the sketch plane: In HaoChen 3D software, when starting to work on a new part, a sketch is usually drawn on one of the three main planes of the coordinate system. For example, the first sketch of the new part can be drawn on the XZ principal plane of the basic coordinate system. The plane under the cursor will be highlighted to indicate the coordinate system in which drawing should be done ； Moreover, the alignment lines extending from the cursor will be dynamically adjusted according to the plane where the cursor is located. As shown in the figure below: 2. Locking the sketch plane A: In sequential modeling mode, activate the sketch command and select the plane type from the creation origin options list on the command bar to lock the sketch plane. B: In the rapid modeling environment, after selecting a drawing command, hover the cursor over the coordinate system plane, model surface, or reference plane; once the plane is highlighted, you can lock to that sketch plane using either of the following methods: press F3 or click the lock icon. Once the sketch plane has been selected and locked, you can draw and modify on the specified plane. Through this brief introduction, it seems that 3D design isn’t that complicated after all – once you select a plane, you can create designs as you imagine. Those who need it can go to the official HaoChen CAD website’s download section to install the legitimate HaoChen 3D software for free.