More about Offset along Normal Vectors

The following section aims at describing offset along normal vectors operation in more details:
 


How is the Offset Representation Calculated?Top

The offset representation is obtained by:

  • Adding an offset to a selected set of shapes (surfaces or volumes), this provides a security margin around these shapes
  •  defining the orientation in which the offset is applied. 

or/and if necessary:
 

  • changing this orientation manually or automatically to correct the possible lack of uniformity between the orientation vectors of the different surfaces.

The offset value can take any positive or negative values.

The following example aims at illustrating the impact of the offset value on the final result.

Case 1: offset value > 0Top

 

Case 2: offset value < 0Top
 

Orientation Constraints Option ImpactTop
 

Sometimes you will tackle with design inconsistencies. You can check the orientation constraints and/or define orientation constraint vectors to force the orientation of the offset.
This procedure can be used when different surface patches are assigned opposite normal vectors.

The following example aims at illustrating the orientation constraints option.

Orientation Constraints Check box ClearedTop

The default normal vectors define the offset orientation.

 
Result: If the surface patches are not correctly designed, there might be gaps between the different surface patches. In this case, you need to use the orientation constraints option (automatic mode)

NB. You should study the result preview carefully to detect inconsistencies.

Orientation Constraints Check box SelectedTop

The first default normal vector defines the offset orientation reference. This orientation is propagated to the neighboring surfaces.

Result: If the surface patches are not correctly connected, there might still be remaining gaps between surface patches. In this case, you need to use the orientation constraints option and to define manually constraint vectors. 

NB. The surface patches are not correctly connected are highlighted in the result preview.

 

Orientation constraints option selected and two orientation constraint vectors definedTop

Result: The surface patches are now correctly connected (there is no longer highlighted surfaces)
NB. The constraint vectors defined manually appear as red arrows on the picture. 

Unresolved CasesTop

Offset and thickness operations are not boolean, therefore, be careful when you deal with acute angles and high offset values because you might encounter overlapping surfaces. See pictures below:

Offset value still in a good range
The angle is too "sharp" and/ or a too high offset value is set.