Workshop can automatically generate plate templates to assist with accurate forming of the plate. Plate forming templates run across the plate and show the shape of the plate at that location. You can add any number of templates at any location along the plate. The location of each template is defined as a longitudinal (x) position in the UCS of the plate.
To set the templates for a plate
Ř Select the plate you wish to work on
Ř Choose Plate Templates from the Plate menu
A dialog box will appear that allows you to set up the location of the plates. This dialog works the same way as the grid spacing dialog in Workshop and Maxsurf.
To quickly view plate butt templates of a non-surface plate simply
Ř Choose Plate Butt Templates from the Structure Visibility dialog (Display | Structure)
Each plate also has a centreline and a baseline. The centreline is the intersection of the UCS yz plane with the plate, the baseline is the intersection of the UCS xz plane with the plate.
Each plate template also has a sightline marker at a constant height in the UCS and situated vertically above the baseline of the plate. Once the set of templates are set up along the length of the plate, the fabricator can sight along the sightline to ensure all of the templates are at the correct height.
Plate templates can also be rendered when rendering is turned on in the perspective window.
