Creating Offset Surfaces

This task explains how to create an offset surface, based on an existing surface.

Open the OffsetSurface.CATPart document.

1. Click the Surface Offset icon .
   The 'Surface Offset' dialog box is displayed.

1. Select Surface.1, choose the Offset Type Constant and specify a Distance of 20 mm.

2. Click Apply to display the offset surface.

3. You can manipulate the offset distance drawing the handle at the end of the manipulator.

4. You can invert the offset direction by clicking onto the middle handle of the manipulator.

5. Choose the Offset Type Variable and click Apply.
   At each corner of the surface manipulators appear which you can individually modify to set different offset distances.

6. Click OK to create the Offset surface.

• Type:
  • Constant: The offset surface is created with a constant distance from the original surface.
  • Variable: The offset distance can be defined for each single corner point of the surface.
  • Through Point: The offset surface is passing through a selected point.

Through Point

• Element: Selection of the surface(s) to be offset.
  The manipulators are aligned with the surface selected first.

• Distance
  • Text field: Specifies the distance of the offset surface from the original surface (offset distance).
  • Invert: Inverts the direction of all offset vectors.

• Parameter
  • Normals: Display of the direction of the original surface in the graphics area. With the manipulator, you can change the distance and invert the direction.
  • Scaling: The size of the manipulators at the geometry can be scaled.

• Display: Depending on the options selected, values are displayed in the graphics area.
• Deviation
  • Max: Display of the maximum deviation of the actual result from the calculated mathematical result.
• UV: Display of the UV vectors of curves and surfaces.
• Output Result: See Output Result