Offset Curve

Modify | Trim | Offset Curve

This tool is similar to the Parallel Line tool but allows the offsetting of arcs and circles as well as lines.

A fixed offset value can be input, which remains fixed until changed by the user.

Delete the center line which is in the center of the sketch, shown below. This line can be reconstructed later in the Session.

Deleting the center line

Select the Offset Curve from the toolbar or use Modify | Trim | Offset Curve. TAB to the Offset field and input a value of 5.

Select the horizontal center line, offsetting a line to both sides, shown below.

Offsetting the horizontal line @ 5

TAB to the Offset field and input a new value of 3.

Offset the circle shown by the pointer in the illustration below.

Offsetting the circle @ 3

Fillet with Trim

Modify | Fillet | Fillet Two Lines

The Fillet tool creates an arc or radius between 2 lines, circles or arcs to a specific radius.

The keyboard ALT key is used to indicate a ‘no trim’ option.

Zoom in to the center of the sketch, then select the Fillet tool from the toolbar or use Modify | Fillet | Fillet Two Lines. Set the radius to 5 in the edit field to create a tangential arc shown below.

In this task, it is not necessary to hold down the ALT keyboard key as the new circle should be trimmed to the fillet blends.

Select the approximate positions to those shown by the markers below to insert the fillet.

The resulting tangential arcs are shown below.

Creating a blend between the line and the circle

Repeat this, this time holding down the ALT key to create the blends on the intersections shown by the markers below.

Inserting a blend between the lines and the circle

Trim

Modify | Trim | Trim

The Trim tool trims lines, arcs of circles to a defined boundary edge.

The keyboard SHIFT key is used to select multiple objects and can be used to add or remove objects to the selection.

Boundary edges of the trim can be selected using a Pick WindowA selection window.. Providing the movement of the selection is left-to-right, only objects selected within the selection window will be selected.

In this task, the newly inserted arcs shown below will be used as boundary edges to trim the offset lines.

Select the Trim tool, then create a pick window around the arcs shown below.

Left-to-right selection or arcs

When the arcs are highlighted, select the horizontal offset lines to trim, starting with the segment shown below as an example.

Trimming the line to the arc

Continue to trim the lines and arcs so that the result is similar to the illustration below.

Arc segments removed using the Trim tool