# Using a part of an already created body as reference

**URL:** <https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/using-a-part-of-an-already-created-body-as-reference/11513>\
**Category:** Modeling Questions\
**Created:** [February 20, 2021, 4:51pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/using-a-part-of-an-already-created-body-as-reference/11513 "2021-02-20T16:51:29Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 9\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![CorrieArnold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a3d4f5/32.png) [@CorrieArnold](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/CorrieArnold)\
**Post date:** [February 20, 2021, 4:51pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/using-a-part-of-an-already-created-body-as-reference/11513/1 "2021-02-20T16:51:29Z")

</div>

I’ve modeled a body consisting of various extruded cylinders but when I add a new plane off the outside cylinder to add a new part that must fit over the already modeled body, I cannot get the centre of my new circle to reference to the centre of one of the circles part of my previously created body. Can this be done, what am I doing wrong?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Nitro](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/nitro/32/9501_2.png) [@Nitro](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Nitro)\
**Post date:** [February 20, 2021, 7:34pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/using-a-part-of-an-already-created-body-as-reference/11513/2 "2021-02-20T19:34:28Z")

</div>

Your text is not understandable.  
Please add a video or pictures to your question, preferably with the Shapr3D file.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![milouchien](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/milouchien/32/10020_2.png) [@milouchien](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/milouchien)\
**Post date:** [February 20, 2021, 9:05pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/using-a-part-of-an-already-created-body-as-reference/11513/3 "2021-02-20T21:05:14Z")

</div>

Why not use the end of the cylinder to make a bigger sketch plane, then the new plane will already be centred and you can create the new bigger cylinder from that?

If that’s not right, can you post a few pics of what you’re trying to do?

David

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![CorrieArnold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a3d4f5/32.png) [@CorrieArnold](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/CorrieArnold)\
**Post date:** [February 21, 2021, 9:13am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/using-a-part-of-an-already-created-body-as-reference/11513/4 "2021-02-21T09:13:19Z")

</div>

I’v tried that but I cannot get a snap on the plane centre lines to place the centre of my new circle on this point. The circle centre is wherever I place my pencil on the plane. Sorry, I’m still new to using 3D drawing software.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![CorrieArnold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a3d4f5/32.png) [@CorrieArnold](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/CorrieArnold)\
**Post date:** [February 21, 2021, 9:28am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/using-a-part-of-an-already-created-body-as-reference/11513/5 "2021-02-21T09:28:26Z")

</div>

![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/2X/6/69b44f015c69459aeefdcc80f257e9f451fcdd51.jpeg)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DanielR](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/danielr/32/582_2.png) [@DanielR](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/DanielR)\
**Post date:** [February 21, 2021, 9:42am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/using-a-part-of-an-already-created-body-as-reference/11513/6 "2021-02-21T09:42:05Z")

</div>

You can use the Project tool to project the cylinder’s edge to the construction plane you have created.

**Project tool tutorial** : [Project | Creating complex 3D bodies - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4uON8aAyaE)

Recorded a quick video on how I would solve this particular case: [Screen Recording 2021-02-21 at 10.37.16.mov - Google Drive](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q1z76pSVPoACxd6wQWtbIigHV-sz-3XD/view?usp=sharing)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![milouchien](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/milouchien/32/10020_2.png) [@milouchien](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/milouchien)\
**Post date:** [February 21, 2021, 10:11am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/using-a-part-of-an-already-created-body-as-reference/11513/7 "2021-02-21T10:11:43Z")

</div>

Ah cool - I was just about to record a vid of the project tool…

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Steve](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/steve/32/2446_2.png) [@Steve](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Steve)\
**Post date:** [February 21, 2021, 3:11pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/using-a-part-of-an-already-created-body-as-reference/11513/8 "2021-02-21T15:11:47Z")

</div>

As another option, it is often very helpful to create (or move/relocate) your first object to be centered on the axis origin — especially for highly symmetrical objects. In your example above, it appears as if the “X” axis would have been a good choice to both, revolve the original sketch and then, to use as a center point for the circle.

One of many useful techniques I’ve picked up from the many, excellent tutorials available. I’m certainly not a CAD expert, but I have used SketchUp for many years (and lately, Fusion 360), and I often find that the best way to do certain things in Shapr3D is different from what I am used to (and frequently, easier and faster). I can honestly say that every minute I’ve spent watching Shapr3D tutorials has been paid back in time saved.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![CorrieArnold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a3d4f5/32.png) [@CorrieArnold](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/CorrieArnold)\
**Post date:** [February 21, 2021, 4:13pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/using-a-part-of-an-already-created-body-as-reference/11513/9 "2021-02-21T16:13:15Z")

</div>

Thank you, I tried this and it seems to be working. This seems to be a very useful tool that I will use a lot now that I know how to use it with this type of modelling. I guess working through problems like this one gets the knowhow to use a program like Shapr3D.