Creating Rough Offset Surfaces

You can create a constant offset surface which approximates the initial surface to keep only its main characteristics.

Before you begin:
  • You must have access to the Generative Shape Morphing app.
  • Create a 3D shape containing a surface.
See Also
Creating Offset Surfaces
  1. From the Transform section of the action bar, click Rough Offset .
  2. In the Surface box, select the surface to be offset.
    An arrow indicates the proposed direction for the offset. Click it to reverse the direction.

  3. Specify the offset distance by entering the value in the Offset box or manipulating the arrows in the work area.
  4. In the Deviation box, specify the approximation tolerance.

    The minimum value is 0.2mm. If the deviation value is too less, a warning message Impossible computation is displayed in the dialog box. Click the arrow to read the warning information:

    Available memory is insufficient to proceed with these parameters. Please change the inputs.

    Once the deviation value is computable, a message Ready to process appears in the dialog box. You can cancel the message by clicking the cross mark.

  5. Click Preview to preview the offset surface.
    The offset surface is displayed normal to the reference surface.

    A progress bar is displayed to allow the control of the computation.

    The Deviation Analysis check box becomes available.

  6. Optional: Select the Deviation Analysis check box to display and analyze the points which exceed maximum deviation.


    Note: To view the deviation analysis color scale, you need to drag the separator.
  7. Click OK.
    Resulting surface with an offset of 20mm (the initial surface is hidden)
    Resulting surface with an offset of -20mm
    Note: The boundaries of the rough offset surface are not computed. Only a global boundary that contains one sub-element is created.
    • You can display the offset surface on the other side of the reference surface by clicking either the arrow or Reverse Direction.

    • You can generate two offset surfaces, one on each side of the reference surface, by checking Both sides.

    Warning: In case an error message is issued asking you to modify the inputs, we advise you to change the deviation, either by increasing or decreasing it.
    Important:
    • The Rough Offset command is applicable to surfaces with only one boundary (preferably convex).
    • It is not applicable to:
      • closed surfaces encompassing a volume, for instances spheres
      • surfaces with one or more holes
      • surfaces with more than one boundary, for instance cylinders
      • non-manifold surfaces and surfaces with topological defects