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This task shows you how to create a surface, or a set of surfaces, by
offsetting an existing surface, or a set of surfaces.
It can be any type of surface, including multi-patch surfaces resulting
from fill or any other operation. |
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This task also deals with:
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Open the Offset1.CATPart
document. |
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Click Offset
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The Offset Surface Definition dialog box appears. |
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Select the Surface to be offset.
An arrow indicates the proposed direction for the
offset. |
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Specify 200mm as the Offset value.
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Click Preview
to preview the offset surface.
The offset surface is displayed normal to the reference surface.
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Click OK to create the surface.
The surface (identified as Offset.xxx) is added to
the specification tree. |
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- Depending on the geometry configuration and the offset value,
an offset may not be allowed as it would result in a debased
geometry. In this case, you need to decrease the offset value or
modify the initial geometry.
- When you modify an input value through
the dialog box, such as the offset value or the direction, the
result is computed only when you click Preview or
OK.
- Parameters can be edited in the 3D
geometry. To have further information, refer to the
Editing Parameters chapter.
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Setting Optional Parameters
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- You can display the offset surface on the other side of the reference
surface by clicking either the arrow or the Reverse Direction
button.
- You can define a smoothing type on the offset surface:
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- None: the smoothing is constant. This is the
default type.
- Automatic (you can use the
Offset3.CATPart document):
a local smoothing is applied only if the constant offset cannot be
performed. It cleans the geometry of the surface and enables the
offset.
A warning panel is launched and the modified surface is shown
in the 3D geometry. |
If a surface still cannot be offset, no smoothing is performed
and a warning message is issued (as in the constant offset mode).
If you click Yes, erroneous sub-elements are
removed and the offset operation goes on. |
- Manual: a local smoothing is
applied as in the Automatic type. You need to define a Maximum
Deviation below which the elements are to be offset. If the
resulting deviation is greater than the defined deviation, no smoothing
is performed and a warning message is issued (as in the constant offset
mode). If you click Yes, erroneous sub-elements are
removed and the offset operation goes on.
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- The deviation should be comprised between 0.001mm and the
Offset value (-0.1mm). For instance, if the Offset value is 20mm,
the maximum deviation is 19.9mm.
- The Maximum Deviation field is only available with
the Manual smoothing type.
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- generate two offset surfaces, one on each side of the reference
surface, by checking the Both sides option.
- create several offset surfaces, each separated from the initial
surface by a multiple of the offset value, by checking the
Repeat object after OK option.
Simply indicate in the Object Repetition dialog box
the number of instances that should be created and click OK. |
Remember however, that when repeating the offset it
may not be allowed to create all the offset surfaces, if it leads to
debased geometry. |
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If
Both sides and Repeat object after OK are checked,
only the first offset surface will be repeated. |
- Would the value be inconsistent with the selected geometry, a warning
message is displayed, along with a warning sign onto the geometry.
If you move the pointer over this sign, a longer message is
displayed to help you continue with the operation. |
Furthermore, the manipulator is locked, and you need to modify
the value within the dialog box and click Preview. |
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Removing Sub-Elements
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The Sub-Elements to remove tab helps you
for the analysis in case the offset encounters a problem. |
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Open the
Offset2.CATPart document. |
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Perform steps 1 to 3.
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Click Preview.
The Warning dialog box appears, the geometry shows the erroneous
sub-elements, and flag notes
display sub-elements to remove. |
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Click Yes to accept the offset.
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In the Offset Surface Definition dialog box, the Sub-Elements to
remove tab lists the erroneous sub-elements and a preview of the
offset is displayed. |

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If you move the
mouse over a flag note, a longer message giving an accurate
diagnosis is displayed.
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You can remove a
sub-element by right-clicking it and choosing Clear
Selection from the contextual menu.
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The following modes are optional, you may use them if you need to
add or remove a sub-element to create the offset.
- Add Mode:
when you click an unlisted element in the geometry, it is
added to the list |
when you click a listed element, it remains in the list |
- Remove Mode:
when you click an unlisted element in the geometry, the
list is unchanged |
when you click a listed element, it is removed from the
list |
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If you double-click Add
Mode or Remove Mode, the chosen mode is
permanent, i.e. successively selecting elements will add/remove
them. However, if you click only once, only the next selected
element is added or removed. You only have to click the button
again, or click another one, to deactivate the mode. |
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The
list of sub-elements to remove is updated each time an element is
added.
Note that if you modify an input in the
Offset dialog box, the list is re-initialized. However, this list
is not re-initialized if the offset parameter is modified
directly from the tree by double-clicking Offset under
Offset.xxx. This means that you will have to reselect the
surfaces under the Sub-Elements to remove tab. |
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Click Preview.
The offset surface is displayed normal to the reference surface. |
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Click OK to create the surfaces.
The surfaces (identified as Offset.xxx) are added to the
specification tree. |
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Performing a Temporary Analysis
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While in the Offset command, you can perform a
temporary analysis in order to check the connections between surfaces or
curves. |
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Open the
Offset4.CATPart document. |
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Perform steps 1 to 3 (set 20mm as the Offset value).
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Click Preview.
The Temporary Analysis icon is available from the Tools toolbar. |
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Click Temporary Analysis mode
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Select the analysis to be performed in the Analysis
toolbar by clicking either Connect checker
or Curve connect checker
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Click OK in the Connect checker or Curve
connect checker dialog box.
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You must activate the temporary
analysis mode before running any analysis. Otherwise, a persistent
analysis will be performed.
The Temporary Analysis node is displayed in the specification tree
and the associated analysis (here Curve Connection Analysis.1)
appears below. |
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- The analysis is not persistent. Thus when you click OK
in the Offset Definition dialog box to create the curve, the
Temporary Analysis node disappears from the specification tree.
- An option is available from Tools -> Options to let
you automatically set the analysis as temporary. Refer to the
Customizing section.
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