Sketch menu: Offset Edge tool

What is the Offset Edge tool?

You can use the Offset Edge tool to create sketch items at a specified distance from existing geometry. You can offset sketch lines and curves, connected sketch edges, or edges of a 3D body to create new sketch geometry.

Offset Edge is useful for:

• Parallel outlines – Create an outline inside or outside an existing sketch.
• Consistent spacing – Add sketch geometry at a controlled distance from existing lines or edges.
• Sketches from 3D geometry – Use edges of an existing body as references for new sketch items.

How to use the Offset Edge tool

Using the Offset Edge tool

1. In a sketch, go to Sketch > Offset Edge. For other ways to open tools, visit Accessing tools.
2. Choose an offset Type: Single for one edge or sketch item, or Chain for connected edges.
3. Select the sketch item or body edge you want to offset.
4. Drag the offset arrow or enter a distance to set the direction and amount. If the selected sketch item belongs to multiple loops, choose the arrow for the loop you want to offset.
5. To finish, select Done if available, or exit sketching when you have finished editing the sketch.

Understanding Single and Chain offsets

Offset Edge supports two selection types for both sketch geometry and applicable edges of 3D bodies:

• Single – Creates an offset from an individual sketch item or edge.
• Chain – Creates an offset from a connected sequence of sketch items or edges, allowing you to offset a continuous outline together.

Offsetting sketch geometry

Use an existing sketch line, curve, or connected outline as the source. When a selected sketch item is shared by multiple loops, the modeling space can show an arrow for each available loop so you can choose which one to offset.

Offsetting edges of 3D bodies

You can also select eligible edges of a 3D body as the source for new sketch geometry. Choose Single to offset one edge or Chain to offset connected edges. The result is sketch geometry rather than a modification to the body's solid faces.

Parameter Card and History Settings

Shapr3D records the tools you use as steps in History, allowing you to revisit and modify them later. Each History step stores its parameters, which you can access through the parameter card. You can adjust these parameters while using the tool or reopen the parameter card from History after completing the step.

Adjust Offset Edge parameters

You can adjust the following parameter while using the Offset Edge tool:

• Type – Choose how the sketch geometry is offset:
  • Single – Offsets an individual sketch item or edge.
  • Chain – Offsets a connected chain of sketch items or edges.

Edit Offset Edge in History

Because Offset Edge creates sketch geometry, you can revisit the associated sketch step in History. Depending on how the sketch was created, the available settings can include:

• Plane – Edit the plane or face on which the sketch is placed.
• Projection – If the sketch contains projections, edit those references. For more about sketch projections, visit Sketch menu: Project as Sketch tool.

When to use the Offset Edge tool

Use Offset Edge when you need sketch geometry that follows an existing line, outline, or body edge at a controlled distance. Common situations include:

• Creating borders – Add inner or outer outlines around sketch shapes.
• Planning wall thicknesses – Establish evenly spaced sketch outlines before creating 3D geometry.
• Referencing existing parts – Create sketch items based on edges of a modeled body.

Best practices and troubleshooting

• Choose Single for an individual item and Chain when you want to offset a connected outline.
• Check the direction arrow before confirming the distance, especially when offsetting inward around a closed shape.
• If multiple loop arrows appear, select the one corresponding to the outline you want to offset.