Making Parallel Copies

Command: OFFSET

The Offset command creates a copy of linear entities and aligns them parallel to the original entities at a specified distance. You can make parallel copies of arcs, circles, ellipses, elliptical arcs, lines, two-dimensional polylines, rays and infinite lines.

Depending on the selected options in the Selection Modes toolbar, the Offset command allows to create a parallel copy of:

• an edge of a 3D solid if the Select Edges option () is set.

• the edges of a 3D solid face if the Select Faces option () is set.

• detected boundaries if the Select Detected Boundaries option () is set.

Making parallel copies of curved entities creates larger or smaller curves, depending on which side of the original entity you place the copy. For example, placing a parallel copy of a circle outside the circle creates a larger concentric circle; positioning the copy inside the circle creates a smaller concentric circle.

Making a parallel copy at a specified distance

1. Do one of the following:

   • Click the Offset tool button () on the Modify toolbar.
   • Choose Offset in the Modify menu.
   • Type offset in the command bar.

   You are prompted: Offset: Through point/Erase/<Distance> <current distance>:
   
   A prompt menu displays:
   
   

2. (Option) Choose Erase in the prompt menu or type E, then press Enter.
   Respond Yes at the command prompt to erase the source entity.

3. Do one of the following:

   • Press Enter to accept the current distance.
   • Type a new distance in the command bar.
   • Define a new distance by specifying two points.

   You are prompted: Select Entity.

4. Select the entity.
   You are prompted: Both sides/<Side for parallel copy>:

5. Click the side for the parallel copy.
   The parallel copy is created.
   You are prompted: Select Entity.

6. Do one of the following:

   • Repeat steps 4 and 5 to create more parallel copies.
   • Right click or press Enter to stop.

Making a parallel copy through a point

1. one of the following:

   • Click the Offset tool button () on the Modify toolbar.
   • Choose Offset in the Modify menu.
   • Type offset in the command bar.

   You are prompted: Offset: Through point/<Distance> <current distance>:

2. Choose Through point in the context menu or type T, then press Enter.
   You are prompted: Select entity:

3. Select the entity.
   You are prompted: Through point:

4. Specify the point to create the parallel copy through.
   The parallel copy is created.
   You are prompted: Select entity:

5. Do one of the following.

   • Repeat steps 3 and 4 to create more parallel copies.
   • Right click or press Enter to stop.

Making a parallel copy of a 3D solid edge

Make sure the Quad is active and the Select edges button () in the Selection Modes toolbar is pressed.

1. Move the cursor over the edge of the solid.
   When the edge highlights, choose Parallel () in either the 2D Editing or the Direct Modeling command group in the Quad .
   The parallel copy is created dynamically.

2. Do one of the following:

   • Type a distance in the dynamic entry field.
   • Snap to a point.

Making a parallel copy a 3D solid face

Make sure the Quad is active and the Select Faces button () in the Selection Modes toolbar is pressed.

1. Move the cursor over the face of the solid.
   When the face highlights, choose Parallel () in either the 2D Editing or the Direct Modeling command group in the Quad .
   The parallel copy is created dynamically.

2. Do one of the following:

   • Type a distance in the dynamic entry field.
   • Snap to a point.

Making a parallel copy of a detected boundary

Make sure the Quad is active and the Select Detected Boundaries button () in the Selection Modes toolbar is pressed.

1. Move the cursor inside the boundary.
   When the boundary highlights, choose Parallel () in either the 2D Editing or the Direct Modeling command group in the Quad .
   The parallel copy is created dynamically.

2. Do one of the following:

   • Type a distance in the dynamic entry field.
   • Snap to a point.