Offsetting Surfaces

You can create an offset surface, based on an existing surface.

This task shows you how to:

Before you begin: Open an existing 3D shape containing a surface.
See Also
Offset Surface Dialog Box

Create a Simple Offset

  1. Select a surface, or a set of surfaces.
  2. From the Creation section of the action bar, click Offset .
    The offset surface is shown as a meshed surface.

  3. In the Type area, select Simple.
  4. To set the offset distance, do one of the following:
    • Drag the handle. The offset value is modified dynamically.
    • Right-click the offset value on the surface, select Edit and enter the offset value.
    • Select a point in the work area or in the tree. The value will be set as well as the distance corresponding to the normal projection of the input point onto the surface.

  5. Optional: Click More..., then select Normals, and click the arrow which appears to reverse the direction of the offset.
  6. Optional: If you have more than one surface selected and want more control over the individual surfaces, right-click the arrow.
    A context menu appears that enables you to Reverse all or Adjust all.



  7. Optional: In the App Options panel, click Keep Original .
  8. Click OK


  • Notes: As the offset is normal to the surface, an offset from a curved surface will result in a surface like this:

  • If the offset is performed on a surface relimited using the Break command, the result is a relimited surface, even though the pre-visualization shows the initial (not relimited) surface:



  • If the offset value is greater than the maximum value, an error message is displayed. Nevertheless, you can create the offset.

Create a Variable Offset

  1. Select a surface or a set of surfaces.
  2. From the Creation section of the action bar, click Offset .
    Offset values are displayed at each corner of the surface.

  3. In the Type area, select Variable.
  4. Modify an offset value by dragging, editing, or selecting a point as described above.


  5. Click OK.