1.3.3 - Offset objects

With offset command, you can create a new object in a certain distance but parallel to the original.
You can use the offset command to offset: Lines, arcs, circles, ellipses, 2d polylines, construction lines, rays, and Splines.

If you offset a line, another similar line is created, on the side you specify for the offset.
If you offset a circle or an arc, a larger or smaller circle or arc is created, depending on which side you specify for the offset.
If you offset a polyline, you will create a polyline parallel to original.

Offset an object by specifying a distance

Begin the offset command via Toolbar icon.

• On Ribbon ► Click Home tab►Offset panel ►click offset icon (Fig. 1.3.3.1).

To offset the rectangle (ABCDA), as shown in Fig. 1.3.3.2, in a distance 60 and outside the original object, (the units are in mm):

1. Command Line prompt says;">: Specify offset distance or [Through/Erase/Layer] <Through>: Enter 60 for the offset distance, and press ENTER.
2. Command Line prompt says: Select object to offset or [Exit/Undo] <Exit>: Using the mouse, select rectangle (ABCDA), the rectangle becomes dashed.
3. Command line prompt says;">: Specify point on side to offset or [Exit/Multiple/Undo] <Exit>: Specify a point to indicate whether the object is to be offset, inside or outside of the original object, in your example select a point outside the rectangle (ABCDA), and press ENTER to end the command.
4. The offset of the rectangle is drawn as you can see in Fig. 1.3.3.2.

Offset an object through a point

Begin the offset command via Toolbar icon.

• On Ribbon ► Click Home tab►Offset panel ►click offset icon .

To offset the circle r1, as shown in Fig. 1.3.3.3, and through the point P1 :

1. Command Line prompt says: Specify offset distance or [Through/Erase/Layer] <Through>: Enter t to indicate that the offset of the object will pass through a specific point, and press ENTER.
2. CommandLine prompt says: Select object to offset or [Exit/Undo] <Exit>: Using the mouse, select circle (r1), the circle becomes dashed.
3. Commandline prompt says: Specify through point or [Exit/Multiple/Undo] <Exit>: Click on point P1 to indicate whether the object is to be offset, and press ENTER to end the command.
4. The offset of the circle is drawn as you can see in Fig. 1.3.3.3.

Create Offset from the edges of a face

Make sure you are in 3D modeling mode (Fig. 1.3.3.4).
Begin the offset command via Toolbar icon.

• On Ribbon ► select 3D Modeling mode ► Click Solid tab►Solid Editing panel ►click Offset Edges icon (Fig. 1.3.3.4) .

You will offset the polyline (ABCDA) of the solid object face, as shown in Fig. 1.3.3.5.:

1. Command Line prompt says: Select face: Select the face (ABCDA), after the mouse is on the face, it turns to gray.
2. Command Line prompt says: Specify through point or [Distance/Corner] : type 100 to specify the offset distance of the new polyline (A1B1C1D1A1) from the original polyline (ABCDA). You can, instead of typing the distance value, to select with your mouse a through point for the new polyline, and press ENTER to end the command.
3. You created the polyline (A₁B₁C₁D₁A₁) that is the offset of the polyline (ABCDA), and  is drawn at the same surface, as you can see in Fig. 1.3.3.5 .