Not trying to start a brawl with this question, just trying to understand why the default co-ordinate system orientation in SW seems to be 'at odds' with the rest of the world. I frequently exchange data with SW users and find that their models are always rotated such that the X-Y plane is vertical and the Z-axis horizontal. 'Real World' convention places the X-Y plane horizontal (ie you're standing on it) and Z-Axis vertical - or in machining parlance the X-Y plane is the table with long-travel in X-direction & spindle (vertical) axis is Z.
I suspect the answer is simply that someone chose an 'arbitrary' orientation for the default co-ordinate system in SW on Day 1, and it has been stuck there ever since. Can anyone offer a more-definitive answer?
TIA
Rick Mason MASCO Design Services Pty Ltd Sydney, Australia - home of the world-famous APEC Circus