Offset / Shell Mesh : Options and Results

Access: Open this function from one of the following locations:

Offset, Shell or Extend an entity, producing a mesh result.

Required Step 1

Pick an object, face(s) or facet(s) and define the offset/thickness value.

See Facet Selection for a description of the various facet selection options.

Note: When editing the function, another mesh object from the active part may be selected.

 

Object

This is a dropdown list of the following types of entities that may be selected:

Object

Pick a B-rep or mesh object.

Faces

Pick one or more faces from a single B-rep body.

Facets

Pick one or more facets (triangles) from a single mesh body.

See Facet Selection for a description of the various facet selection options.

 

Offset

This is a dropdown list of the following options; in each case, specify a direction:

Offset

Create an object that is offset from the selected object.
Example:Example:

In the examples below, the offset object is displayed in yellow:

Direction Outside:

Offset Outside:

Direction Inside:

Offset Inside:

 

Shell

Turn a solid object to a shell or add thickness to an open object.

Example:Example:

 

In the examples below, the shelled object is displayed in yellow:

Direction Outside:

Shell Outside:

Direction Inside:

Shell Inside:

Extend

Extend facets adjacent to selected facet(s).

This option is used for extending facets by a relatively small value and is only available if the Facets option is selected above.
Example:Example:

In the examples below, the facets adjacent to the selected facets are extended in various directions:

Direction Outside:

Facets Extended Outside:

Direction Inside:

Facets Extended Inside:

 

 

Offset Value

Set the offset value. This parameter is displayed when the Offset or Facets options are selected.

Default: 2 mm, 0.1 inch.

Thickness

Set the shell thickness value. This parameter is displayed when the Shell option is selected.

Default: 2 mm, 0.1 inch.

Automatic / Manual Round Corner Tolerance

This is a toggle option Automatic Round Corner Tolerance / Manual Round Corner Tolerance, that enables you to control the round corner tolerance, especially when working with very small objects.
See the examples below.

Automatic Round Corner Tolerance

Use the system default values for the round corner tolerance.
This is the default option.

Manual Round Corner Tolerance

Set a user-defined value for the round corner tolerance. A Tolerance parameter is displayed.
Default = 0.05 mm (0.002 inch).
Min = 0.001 mm. Max = 1 mm.

Examples:Examples:

In the examples below, the upper mesh model has an offset using Automatic Round Corner Tolerance, while the lower has an offset using a Manual Round Corner Tolerance.

This option is displayed when the Faces or Facets options are selected, above.

Inside

This is a dropdown list of direction options. A Flip Arrow is also displayed. Change the direction either by clicking the arrowhead or by selecting from the dropdown list.

Outside

Perform the operation outwards from the selected object.
Example:Example:

In the examples below, the offset object is displayed in yellow:

Direction Outside:

Offset Outside:

 

Inside

Perform the operation inwards from the selected object.
Example:Example:

In the examples below, the offset object is displayed in yellow:

Direction Inside:

Offset Inside:

 

Both Sides

Perform the operation in both directions from the selected object. This option is displayed if the Shell option is selected, above.
Example:Example:

In the examples below, the offset object is displayed in yellow:

Direction Both Sides:

Offset Both Sides:

 

Default: Inside.

Smooth / Don't Smooth Open Boundaries

This is a toggle option Smooth Open Boundaries / Don't Smooth Open Boundaries, that enables you to either smooth or not smooth any open boundaries.
Default: Smooth Open Boundaries.

This parameter is displayed when the Faces or Facets options are selected, above.

Keep Original / Remove Original

This is a toggle option Keep Original / Remove Original, that enables you to either keep or delete the original object.
Default: Keep Original.

This option is only displayed if the Object option is selected above.

Press OK or Apply in the Feature Guide. The selected object(s) is converted to a mesh object.

When completed, the Offset Object feature will appear in the Feature Tree as follows:

 

Some functionality may be dependent on the product package. Contact your Reseller if you require a license.