Offset entities query 3

[FreddyB]

Hi
Why do I find this so difficult? I must be missing something!

Simplified example: Consider the end of a bit of tube. It has an outside circular edge and an inside edge. If I select the face I can then select OFFSET ENTITIES and it shows an offset sketch line from the outside edge. How do I get it to convert the inside edge instead?

My real example is an irregular shaped aperture so more tricky. The 'select chain' box is greyed out.

At the moment I have to tediously select each segment of the internal edge first but there must be an easier way!!

 

[Updraft]

It isn't difficult. By default the offset entities function uses the outside boundary if you pick a face. You can also pick particular edges, such as the inside boundary.

- - -Updraft

 

[williedawg]

I've had that question too.

It seems tedious indeed to have to select edges; for instance just the inside of a plain square tube with radiused corners has 8 edges....
Why doesn't SW have an option to select outside, inside or both when converting the face to entities? (like some other menu boxes that pop up when certain selections are optional)

 

[Updraft]

williedawg,

Good point. This would be appropriate for an Enhancement Request.

- - -Updraft

 

[AnnaWood]

Click an edge, then RMB and select Loop or Tangency. That way you do not have to pick each edge.

Cheers,

Anna Wood
Core i7 EE965, FirePro V8700, 12 Gb RAM, OCZ Vertex 120 Gb SSD, Dell 3008WFP 30" Monitor
SW2010 SP2.1, Windows 7 x64

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[FreddyB]

Hi Anna,

Thanks for that tip. I have to say that having tried it it seems a bit hit and miss. Sometimes I can get it to work and others not.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

In what way does it not work? Selecting the loop, or offsetting it?

 

[FreddyB]

Getting the right edges to select. It takes me about three or four attempts before I get it right. Then I can't see which way it's offsetting as it doesn't always show a preview. If I take a chance and go for it then 50% of the time it confirms the wrong way.

I agree with the previous suggestion that it should be a simple inside or outside select choice in SW to start with.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

While I would like it to be easier, a simple inside or outside option will not always suffice. A part may have multiple inner features or 'loops'.

The Select Loop function can be used for 2D and 3D sketches, making it a common method for entity selection. Inside and outside elements may not be so clearly defined in organically contoured parts.

 

[Gurjjeet]

Another very easy solution for this......you will never find this in help........

Select the face, then ctrl-select one edge from the inside profile, then hit offset........

 

[Gurjjeet]

& this same solution works in Convert entity as well.....Even when you have multiple inner profiles.......

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

I had forgotten about that one. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[FreddyB]

Gurjjeet! You are a genius!

Just tried that on a very complex profile and it worked - simple!!

Many thanks to you all.

 

[mjcole]

Since Offset entities can use a zero offset I see no reason why anyone would need to use convert entities anymore. I do the same in Pro/E use offset and enter a zero value if you want to offset in the future just change the dimension. The only thing I dislike is that The Flip dim direction works poorly or not at all with the offset function.

For multiple inner profiles try using your selection Filter F5 and select edges (e is the default button assignment. This lets you pick the inner profile edges in one rectangular selection. If you want to apply the same offset dimension to multiple loops you can use Convert Entities and then offset the result with a single dimension to control all profile offset distances.

Michael