Creates parallel copies of 2D entities and 3D solid faces.
Accessing the Command
command bar: offset
alias: o
menu bar: Modify | Offset
toolbar: Modify |
ribbon: Change | Modify | Offset
Quad: 2D Editing |
: offset
Prompts you in the command bar:
Enter offset distance or [Through point/Erase/Layer] <20.0>: (Enter a distance, pick two points, press Enter for the default distance, or else select an option)
Select entity/subentity or [Exit] <Exit>: (Choose a single entity, or press Enter to exit the command)
Select side for parallel copy or [Both sides/Multiple]: (Pick a point to place the copy, or else choose an option)
Select entity/subentity or [Undo/Exit] <Exit>: (Choose another entity, type U to undo the previous parallel copy, or press Enter to exit this command)
Note: When curved entities are offset, the command changes the radii of the copies:
When polylines are being offset, the OFFSETGAPTYPE variable determines how potential gaps between segments are treated:
-
0 - gaps are closed, with segments extended to close them
-
1 - gaps are filleted, with the radius of the arc segments the size of the offset distance
-
2 - gaps are chamfered, with the distance equals to the offset distance
When faces of 3D models are offset, the SELECTIONMODES variable determines how potential conflicts are handled:
-
1 - edges are selected and offset
-
2 - faces are selected and offset (figure below, at left)
-
4 - boundaries are detected and offset (boundary is in blue in the figure below, at right)
Boundaries are also detected by the Offset command for 2D entities, such as these overlapping squares:
Command Options
Option |
Description |
Enter offset distance |
Specifies the distance between the original entity and its parallel copy:
The offset distance is saved to the OFFSETDIST variable. |
Through point |
Specifies the offset distance by picking two points; prompts you:
|
Erase |
Deletes the source entity following the offset operation. The status is saved to the OFFSETERASE variable with the drawing, but is then reset (turned off) with the next drawing. |
Layer |
Specifies the layer on which to place the copied entity; prompts you: Select layer for offset entities? [Current/Source] <Source> - enter an option:
|
Select entity/subentity |
Selects the entity of which to make the parallel copy:
Only one entity can be selected for offsetting at a time; the command repeats automatically so that you can offset additional entities. Press Enter or Esc to exit the command. |
Side for parallel copy |
Specifies the side on which to make the offset (parallel) copy. If the Through Point option was selected earlier, your pick point specifies the offset distance. |
Both sides |
Places offset copies on both sides of the entity. |
Exit |
Returns to the previous prompt of this command, or ends the command. |
Undo |
Undoes the previous offset operation. |
Procedures
- Making a parallel copy at a specified distance
- Making a parallel copy through a point
- Making a parallel copy of a 3D solid edge
- Making a parallel copy a 3D solid face
- Making a parallel copy of a detected boundary
Related Command
Copy - makes copies of entities.