Offset Entities
Offset one or more sketch entities, selected model edges, or model faces by a specified distance. For example, you can offset sketch entities such as splines or arcs, sets of model edges, loops, and so on.
You can offset finite lines, arcs, and splines. You cannot offset fit splines, previously offset splines, or entities that would result in self-intersecting geometry.
If the original entity changes, then the offset entity also changes when you rebuild the model.
To create a sketch offset:
-
In an open sketch, select one or more sketch entities, a model face, or a model edge.
-
Click Offset Entities 
(Sketch toolbar) or Tools, Sketch Tools, Offset Entities.
-
In the PropertyManager, under Parameters, set the following:
When you click in the graphics area, the Offset Entity is complete. Set the Parameters before you click in the graphics area.
-
Offset Distance 
. Set a value to offset the sketch entity by a specified distance. To see a dynamic preview, hold down the mouse button and drag the pointer in the graphics area. When you release the mouse button, the Offset Entity is complete.
-
Add dimensions. Include the Offset Distance 
in the sketch. This does not affect any dimensions included with the original sketch entity.
-
Reverse. Change the direction of a one-directional offset.
-
Select chain. Create an offset of all contiguous sketch entities.
-
Bi-directional. Create offset entities in two directions.
-
Make base construction. Convert the original sketch entity to a construction line
.
-
Cap ends. Extend the original non-intersecting sketch entities by selecting Bi-directional, and adding a cap. You can create
Arcs or Lines
as extension cap types.
-
Click 
or click in the graphics area.
An Offset Entities 
relation is created between the new sketch entity and the selected entity. If the original entity changes, the new entity updates to maintain the offset.
If you are creating a component or feature
in the context of an assembly
and Do not create references external to the model is selected in Tools, Options,
External References
, then the sketch relations described above are not created. See
Controlling Creation of External References
.
To change the size of a sketch offset:
Double-click the offset’s dimension and change the value. In a bi-directional offset, change the dimensions of the two offsets individually.
Related Topics
Convert Entities
Silhouettes