Offset Settings

Curve Break Connection

Controls how the offset curve connects breaks caused by corners in the original curve. This option does not apply to surface offsets.

Off – Do not connect the break. This option can create two or more separate new curves.

Linear – Connect the break with tangential lines.

Circular – Connect the break with an arc.

NoteCurve break connection is not used for curves created with the Keypoint Curve Tools > Lines > Polyline tool or degree 1 curves. In both of these cases, the result is like linear.

Curve Offset Plane

Active View – The copy is offset in the plane of the active view. For example, in Z-up environment, the Top view would offset in the XY plane.

Geometry Average – The copy is offset in the average plane of the curve. Planar curves are offset in the plane of the curve plane, 3D curves are offset in 3D.

Distance

The distance between the original and the offset copy.

Curve Cutting Radius

Set this value greater than 0 to create a smooth arc with the given radius where the Offset tool cuts loops, instead of a corner.

Curve Loop Cutting

Remove loops caused by concave angles in the original curve.

Curve Loop Cutting creates multi-knots, which can cause problems for some surface creation tools such as Rail Surface.

TipWhen Curve Loop Cutting is on, you can drag the to change the curve cutting radius while using the tool.

Copy Curves on Surface

Create curves-on-surface on the offset surface to match any curves on surface on the original.

When Create History is on, the curves-on-surface on the offset surface are linked to the curves-on-surface on the original.

Explicit control

Gives you control over the number of extra spans the tool inserts in the offset surface.

Max Spans Factor

The maximum number of times the offset geometry is subdivided for more accurate approximation of the original. The default is 5 (each span of the original can be represented by up to 5 spans on the offset copy).

If you do not mind extra edit points (a more complex curve), you can increase this number for a more accurate offset copy of complex geometry.

This option is only available when Explicit control is on.

Control Options

Create History

Link the offset object to the original through construction history, so changes to the original affect the offset object.

Auto Recalc

Automatically updates the object as you change options in the window.