Applying an Offset

You can apply an offset to a shape to produce an output shape whose surface is that of the input shape, moved by a given distance along the normal vectors. This distance is the value of the offset.

This task shows you how to:

Before you begin:

Apply Offset Along the Normals

You can create an offset envelop at a specific distance along the normals to the faces of the selected objects.

  1. Do one of the following:
    • From the top bar, select Add > Content > Physical Product Structure > VOCOffset .
    • Right-click the root product node and select Insert > Representation > Physical Product Structure > VOCOffset .
  2. Select the products for which you want to apply the offset.
  3. Select an object as a reference, in the Reference product box.
    Note: By default, the root product is selected as the reference product.
  4. Optional: Select the Orientation constraints check box to manually choose the orientation direction along which the offset is computed. Select an orientation direction for the required faces.

    By default, this check box is cleared and the default orientation direction is along the normal to the respective faces.

  5. Enter a value for the offset.
    This value corresponds to the signed distance traveled along the normal vectors and can be either positive or negative.

The offset shape is generated in a new 3DShape in a new tab.

Apply Offset Along a Fixed Vector

You can create an offset envelop along the specified vectors of an axis system.

  1. Do one of the following:
    • From the top bar, select Add > Content > Physical Product Structure > VOCOffset .
    • Right-click the root product node and select Insert > Representation > Physical Product Structure > VOCOffset .
  2. Select the products for which you want to apply the offset.
  3. Select an object as a reference, in the Reference product box.
    Note: By default, the root product is selected as the reference product.
  4. Select Along fixed vectors option, to create an offset envelop along the specified vectors.
    The options under Along fixed vectors are enabled.
  5. In the Axis system box, select the axis system.

    the axis system of the root product is selected.

  6. Enter the offset values for the x, y, and z axes.

    By default, the values are:

    • x min, y min, z min = -1
    • x max, y max, z max = 1

The offset shape is generated in a new 3D Shape representation.