Offset Geometry

Use the Offset tool to offset surfaces, solids, or lines.

1. From the Geometry ribbon, click the Offset tool.

   
   
   Figure 1.

2. Set the guide bar selector to Lines, Surfaces, or Solids.

   Option	Description
   Lines	Select free lines to offset. Click on the guide bar and define the following options: Create in Choose a method for organizing the resulting lines. current component Organize new lines in the current component. surf component Organize new lines in the same component to which the selected lines belong. The result is unpredictable if lines from different components are used as input. Link type Choose how the offset is generated when there is a discontinuity (other than 180 degrees) in the direction of the curvature of the input line list, that is, when input lines do not connect with each other. interpolate Interpolate the offset direction on both sides of the discontinuity to allow a smooth transition. In this case, along the interpolation region, the offset direction will be different than the curvature direction. Amplified fluctuations, which would occur in the offset because of small ripples in the input curve, are smoothed out with this option. Figure 2. insert link Insert a straight line segment as a link between the offset of input lines, if there is a jump in offset direction at points where the input lines meet. Figure 3. no link Do not insert a link if there is a jump in offset direction at points where input lines meet. In this case, the offset lines may become disconnected. Figure 4. Enter an offset distance in the microdialog. Use the icons to toggle between a uniform offset or a linear offset based on a start and end value. Optionally, you can choose to switch the starting point of the line list or delete the original lines after offsetting. The start of the line list is indicated by a red arrow at the end of the chain. Note: Closed lines are treated as if they were not closed so that the offset creates open lines. Successive offsets (4-5 offsets, one after other) or very large offset values of some lines become sensitive to approximation errors or invisible fluctuations in the line.
   Surfaces and Solids	Select surfaces or solids to offset. If desired, click on the guide bar to preserve the connection between adjacent surfaces after offsetting. For surfaces, you also have the option to define separator lines. Click-and-drag to offset or enter a value in the microdialog. Note: The topology of the surface edges (free, shared edges, and so on) is maintained during the offset function. Some individual surfaces will be trimmed or extended to maintain the connectivity.

3. On the guide bar, click one of the following:
   • - Apply and stay in the tool
   • - Apply and close the tool
   • - Exit the tool without applying