Offsetting objects

Use the Offset option to offset objects by a set distance:

1. Select the object that you want to offset.
2. Click Edit tab > Transform panel > Offset.
3. Use the Offset toolbar to offset the objects:

   

   • Keep Original — This option is selected by default. It keeps the original object, and offsets a copy. Deselect this option to offset the original object.
   • Copies — This option is set to 1 by default. To offset multiple copies of the objects, enter the quantity and press Enter.
   • Distance — This option is set to 0 by default. Enter an offset value and press Enter to offset the objects. To offset the selected objects in the opposite direction, enter a negative value.
   • / — Use these options to specify how to treat discontinuities when offsetting surfaces.
   • / — Use these options to specify how to offset other objects with discontinuities.
   • Smoothing — Use this option to apply a boundary smoothing factor when offsetting meshes.

   The toolbar stays open to perform further Rotate operations.

4. Select new objects to operate on using box selection, or the standard Ctrl+Click and Shift+Click operations.
5. Close the Toolbar to complete the Offset operation.

The offset direction is determined differently depending on the object type selected:

• Surfaces and wireframe — An arrow appears on each object, indicating the direction of the offset. If you want to offset an object in the opposite direction click its arrow or enter a negative value in the Distance box.
• Solids — Solids do not display arrows to indicate the direction of the offset. The outside material indicates the positive direction and the inside material indicates the negative direction. To reverse the offset direction, you need to reverse the whole solid's direction. (Note that the history tree is lost when a solid is reversed.)
• 3D curves — The offset direction of a 3D curve is not fixed. The principal plane will determine the shape of the offset curve. Try offsetting the curve using different principal planes. You may need to create a workplane.
• Meshes — Meshes do not display arrows to indicate the direction of the offset. The outside material indicates the positive direction and the inside material indicates the negative direction. Use the Smoothing option to apply a boundary smoothing factor along the mesh edge.