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Driving Surface-Offset

Question asked by Carlos Moreno on Jul 15, 2013
Latest reply on Aug 8, 2019 by Dave Branco

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I am using solidworks 2012. Is there a way to drive a surface offset, either by relationship, or selecting a dimension? It seems like the surface offset feature only allows you to type in a number.

I have a sweep I want to perform, but I want the sweep path to pass through a particular point in the profile. In order to do that, I need to offset a surface from an existing surface through that point. Right now, I have to manually figure out the distance of the point, and then type that into the surface offset. And if I change the model, I have to repeat the process to rebuild. I'd like to drive the offset distance either by relating it to a dimension, or a relationship, but it doesn't seem possible.

Any ideas? Thanks.

Anna Wood Jul 15, 2013 4:48 PM

Correct Answer

Double click on the Offset in the Feature Tree. Over in the UI you should see a dimension that you can edit and I beleive add an equation or link, etc.

Cheers,

Anna

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Anna Wood Jul 15, 2013 3:09 PM

Could you create a sketch (2D or 3D) and place a driven dimension for the offset, then create an equation to set your offset distance?

Add whatever construction geometry to your sketch to allow you to add the dimension.

Might need to to a couple ctrl-q rebuilds to get the surface offset to update.

FWIW,

Anna

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Carlos Moreno @ Anna Wood on Jul 15, 2013 3:13 PM

Maybe I'm misunderstanding you, but the surface offset feature itself doesn't seem to accept anything but a number in its blank, no equation, no dimension name, no relationships. That's what I'm struggling with.

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Anna Wood @ Carlos Moreno on Jul 15, 2013 4:48 PM

Double click on the Offset in the Feature Tree. Over in the UI you should see a dimension that you can edit and I beleive add an equation or link, etc.

Cheers,

Anna

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Carlos Moreno @ Anna Wood on Aug 1, 2013 5:27 PM

Hey, I finally got around to doing this. Worked as you promised. Thanks are in order.

Please have an internet beer on me.

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Dave Branco @ Carlos Moreno on Aug 8, 2019 12:28 PM

I knew this to be true but it wasn't working and I could not figure out why. then I realized I had perspective turned on! So for the sake of any future person in the same shoes as me to save a couple minutes of confusion, turn off perspective to double click/edit dimensions in the graphics display (UI).

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Anna Wood Jul 15, 2013 3:09 PM
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Correct Answer
Could you create a sketch (2D or 3D) and place a driven dimension for the offset, then create an equation to set your offset distance?

Add whatever construction geometry to your sketch to allow you to add the dimension.

Might need to to a couple ctrl-q rebuilds to get the surface offset to update.

FWIW,

Anna
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- Carlos Moreno @ Anna Wood on Jul 15, 2013 3:13 PM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  Maybe I'm misunderstanding you, but the surface offset feature itself doesn't seem to accept anything but a number in its blank, no equation, no dimension name, no relationships. That's what I'm struggling with.
  Like • Show 0 Likes0
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  - Anna Wood @ Carlos Moreno on Jul 15, 2013 4:48 PM
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    Correct Answer
    Double click on the Offset in the Feature Tree. Over in the UI you should see a dimension that you can edit and I beleive add an equation or link, etc.
    
    Cheers,
    
    Anna
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    - Carlos Moreno @ Anna Wood on Aug 1, 2013 5:27 PM
      Mark Correct
      Correct Answer
      Hey, I finally got around to doing this. Worked as you promised. Thanks are in order.
      Please have an internet beer on me.
      Like • Show 1 Like1
      Actions
      - Dave Branco @ Carlos Moreno on Aug 8, 2019 12:28 PM
        Mark Correct
        Correct Answer
        I knew this to be true but it wasn't working and I could not figure out why. then I realized I had perspective turned on! So for the sake of any future person in the same shoes as me to save a couple minutes of confusion, turn off perspective to double click/edit dimensions in the graphics display (UI).
        Like • Show 1 Like1
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Driving Surface-Offset

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