topic Re: Offset surfaces in Inventor Forum

Offset surfaces

ToddPig — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 15:09:54 GMT

In Solidworks there is the ability to start a new part in an assembly, and then use the Offset Surfaces feature (with the distance set to zero) to create reference geometry. Then you can open this part by itself, and design within the context of the reference surfaces (without the burden of the entire assembly open). I'm looking for a similar process in Inventor.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Todd

Re: Offset surfaces

mdavis22569 — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 15:20:22 GMT

Did you check out the Thicken/Offset command

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/inventor-products/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2014/ENU/Inventor/files/GUID-2D4E64A9-99D1-4B10-9F50-173B66D2EFD0-htm.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wI1Je3EO78s

Re: Offset surfaces

ToddPig — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 15:23:31 GMT

I did check out the Thicken/Offset command. ( I had just read about this feature in Curtis's book, and this is what made me think I could do what I wanted to do )

Maybe the problem isn't the offsetting of surfaces, but the inability to edit a part within the context of an assembly.

Re: Offset surfaces

JDMather — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 15:38:06 GMT

Thicken/Offset is not the correct tool for the function you describe.

Copy Object and set as surface body.

If you then want to Thicken for some reason - you can do so.

Start by creating a new part (or placing an existing part) into an assembly. (If creating - I would Mate the origin Planes).

Then Edit the part within the context of the assembly.

Once you have your copied geometry - you can open the part separately (and associatively or not) and edit outside of the assembly or continue to edit in the context of the assembly.