Offsetting an Ellipse

[GunT]

Hey all,

I am using SW'05-SP 5.0. I am trying to offset an ellipse and it is not letting me do it. It gives me a tool tip which says "Only finite lines, arcs and splines, excluding fit splines and offset splines are eligible for offset".

I just want to know why I am not able to offset an ellipse. Any thoughts will be appreciated.

Regards,

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Just guessing here, but ...
An offset of a line/arc/spline will be a line/arc/spline.
An offset of an ellipse will NOT be an ellipse.


Helpful SW websites faq559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions faq559-1091

 

[GunT]

My assumption is SW is buliding an Ellipse or a Parabola by using a "Fit Spline" method. But I am not sure.

I think the software should allow me to offset an ellipse since its closed and finite.

 

[J-C]

I beleive 2006 added the ability offset ellipses and parabolas.

Jason

UG NX2.02.2 on Win2000 SP3
SolidWorks 2005 SP5.0 on WinXP SP2
SolidWorks 2006 SP1.0 on WinXP SP2

 

[SnowCrash]

I seem to recall that problem can be overcome if you insert a split point or points. As mentioned, the offset of an ellipse is probably not an ellipse, so you have to make the curve a spline.
"or something like that"

--
Hardie "Crashj" Johnson

 

[Stoker]

You can do this offset directly in 2006. The offset is a spline.

In 2005 you will have to split the ellipse into 2 segments, fit spline and then offset the spline.