Inquiry regarding revolving a model

Being a newcomer to Solidworks, I don't know if this is a dumb question
or not, if it is I apologize.
I found that if I use the arrow keys I can revolve a model 15 degrees
at a time. Now if I wanted to extrude cut 24 facets on a round sphere
with a straight line extruded cut, for example, I am unable to do this
more than once because the plane that I must draw the cut line on
revolves along with the model. Is there anyway around this condition?
Picture a round faceted mirrored ball that used to hang from the
ceiling of a ball room in the roaring 20's, during Prohibition times,
or maybe even a soccer ball. This is the type model that I am
looking to create. If someone could give me the principles involved,
it would be appreciated.
I am thanking you in advance,
Elly

 

There have been very involved discussions here regarding the best way to
make geometrical shapes such as the icosahedron. Run a google groups
search, and you'll get a bunch of info.

The sort answer is to consider using patterns.

 

You will need to create new planes to sketch on and extrude from. Have you
done the tutorials yet?

 

I think you are saying that I must create and tilt every plane 15
degrees more than the previous one? Wow, what an enormous job that
would be. I suppose I am asking too much to have the plane stay level
and only the model rotate! Also, I don't know what tutorials that you
refer to, however, I thank you for your response anyway.
Elly

 

There should be "online tutorials" in the help menu.

For your particular job, you may be able to use a circular pattern of cuts,
if they will all be the same.

 

Ed Eaton had on his site, about a year ago, the results of an unofficial
contest to see who could create the most robust, shortest feature tree
"buckeyball". I have a copy of one of those models, done in 5 features,
including 2 circular patterns. I'm not sure who created it, so don't know
to whom the credit belongs. You might try and see if the model is still
available. If not, drop me an e-mail and I'll pass it along. It might not
be 100% what you're looking for, but the principals will translate well.

 

I'm not sure who created it,

What do the feature properties say?

 

eeaton . Didn't know that info was there as I'm sole site user.

 

I didn't see where anyone has explained yet why you must create the
various planes so here is a short comment. The arrow keys that rotate
the part/assembly around by 15 degrees are only moving the camera. The
first cut plane/sketch is not effected by the orientation of the camera
so it "rotates" only visually with the arrow keys.

Edt