Offset a curve or curve-on-surface
Creates a copy of a curve that
is offset from the original (every point on the copy is a specific
distance from the corresponding point on the original).
- Pick one or more curve(s) or curve(s)-on-surface.
- Choose Object Edit > Offset .
An approximation of the new curve(s) appears.
NoteThe
direction of the curve determines which side the offset first appears
on.
- Do any of the following:
- Drag the left and right to change
the offset distance.
- Type a number to set the offset distance
exactly.
- Select additional curves (or de-select
them) by holding the key while clicking them
or using a pick box.
- Click the Offset button.
What if...?
I get strange results
when I try to offset a curve?
- If your curve is not in the XY, XZ, YZ,
or construction plane, you may get strange results. Open the options
box, and set the Curve Offset Plane option to Geometry Average.
- The Offset tool can have trouble with
objects that have multi-knots or CV multiplicity.
Offset surfaces
When offsetting surfaces
using Object Edit > Offset , the surfaces are grouped
based on topology, and an arrow lets you choose the direction of
the offset for each group, so that all surfaces in a group are offset
in the same direction, regardless of their initial orientation.
(See Normals and surface orientation for
more information on surface orientation).
Offset several surfaces
in the same direction simultaneously
- Select the surfaces you want to offset.
- Choose Object Edit > Offset.
Surface sets are created
based on topology. Each set shows an offset preview of a different
color with an arrow indicating the unified direction of the offset.
- Optionally do one of the following:
- Click on an arrow to modify the offset
direction for a set.
- Change the offset distance (with the
mouse or the keyboard).
- Select additional surfaces (or de-select
them) by holding the key while clicking them
or using a pick box.
The offset preview updates.
- Click the Offset button.
The offset surfaces are
created and grouped.
Offset multiple surfaces
while maintaining continuity
Use Surface Edit > Claymate . Note that Claymate is
not included with all Alias products.
- Pick the surfaces you want to offset.
- Choose Surface Edit > Claymate .
The Claymate Options window
appears.
- Turn the Claymate Offset option
on, then click Go.
The Claymate Control window
appears.
- Set the Offset Distance in
the Claymate Control window.
- Pick any other surfaces you want to offset,
then click Go.