You can define a datum plane by rotating a selected face or datum plane about a selected axis of rotation and through a specified angle.
To create a datum plane by rotating a face through a specified angle:
From the main menu bar, select Tools
Datum.
The Create Datum dialog box appears. The dialog box outlines the types of datum geometry you can create.
Abaqus/CAE displays prompts in the prompt area to guide you through the procedure.
Tip:
You can also create a datum plane using the 
tool, located in the module toolbox. For a diagram of the datum tools in the toolbox, see “Using the Datum toolset,” Section 62.2.
From the list of types at the top of the dialog box, choose Plane.
The Method list indicates the methods you can use to create a datum plane.
From the Method list, select Rotate from plane.
From the part or assembly in the current viewport, select a face or a datum plane to rotate.
Select any edge or a datum axis to represent the axis of rotation. The edge or datum axis you select for the axis of rotation does not have to be coplanar with the face or datum plane you selected to rotate.
Abaqus/CAE displays an arrow along the selected edge indicating the positive direction of rotation using the right-hand rule.
In the text box that appears in the prompt area, type the angle of rotation.
The datum plane appears. You can modify the angle of rotation by selecting FeatureEdit from the main menu bar and selecting the datum plane. If you change the sign of the angle, Abaqus/CAE reverses the direction of rotation.
