In CosmosWorks, when probing a stress plot surface forshearstress,  TXY, you are asked to specify a reference plane(oraxis). The TXY choices are 1. Shear in Y dir. on YZ plane, 2.Shearin Z dir. on YZ plane and 3. Shear in Z dir. on XZ plane.

I find this confusing. If I want to look at surfacesparallelto the XY plane, these three options don't  appear togive methat choice. Can someone explain the reference plane and howImight (for instance) investigate shear stresses on an XYsurface?How would I look for shear forces in the Y direction on theXYplane if I can't select that option.

Thanks in advance for any explanations/suggestions.

MarkSolidworksSimulation