Creating Global Offset Surfaces

This task explains how to create offset surfaces with constant distance from the original surfaces.
The offset direction corresponds to the normal direction of each patch.
The system tries to combine the selected surfaces to form common areas, and to keep the transition qualities as far as possible during the offset computation. If required, the offset surfaces are trimmed or extrapolated
Note: The surfaces must be joined. Not joined surfaces can be joined with the function Join (see Joining Curves and Surfaces).
Open the GlobalSurfaceOffset.CATPart document.

  1. Click the Global Surface Offset icon .
    The 'Global Surface Offset' dialog opens.
 

  1. Select the surface you want to modify.
 

  1. Specify an offset distance of 5 mm and click Apply to create the offset surface.
 

  1.  Click OK to exit the command.
You can define the following options:
  • Elements: Selection of the surfaces to be offset.
  • Distance
    • Invert direction: The direction is inverted. The Distance value is also inverted.
    • Text field: Specifies the distance of the offset surface from the original surface (offset distance).
    • Revert direction: Only the direction is inverted. The Distance value remains unchanged. This allows, for example, to use positive values only.
 
  • Option:
    • Side Surface: Connecting surfaces are generated between original and offset surface.
 
  • Parameter
    • Normal: Display of the direction of the original surfaces in the graphics area. With the manipulator, you can change the distance and invert the direction.
    • Scaling: The size of the manipulator in the graphics can be scaled.
  See  'Approximation' tab
  See 'Output' tab
  Click 'More Info' to display deviations and output results.
 
  • Display: Graphical display of the deviation values.
  • U+V: Display of the UV vectors of curves and surfaces.
  • Dynamic, Static, None: See Apply Modes.
  • Deviation
    • G0/G1: Display of the maximum deviation of the actual result from the calculated mathematical result.
  • Output Result: See Output Result
 

Contextual commands of the manipulator

The contextual commands will be activated by clicking the right mouse button on a vector manipulator handle. The following options can be defined:
 
  • Edit: Changes the offset distance.
  • Invert: Inverts the offset direction.
  • Keep this point: Creates the point at the picked position.