### Constructing an Offset Plane

A plane can be constructed a specified distance from the input feature or features.

To construct an Offset Plane:

1. Access the Construct Plane dialog box (Insert | Feature | Constructed | Plane).

2. Select the Offset option.

3. Select a single plane feature or at least three features of any type.

4. Select the Offsets button. The Plane Offsets dialog box will appear.

Plane Offsets dialog box

5. Click the Calculate Noms option and enter the offset values for the input feature or features in the offset field, or click the Calculate Offsets option and change the nominal values (see the procedures below).

6. Click Calculate to calculate either the nominal values or the offset values.

7. Click the OK button. The Plane Offsets dialog box will close.

8. Click the Create button. PC-DMIS creates the offset plane based on the input feature or features.

Using a Single Plane Input Feature

PC-DMIS will create a parallel plane at the offset distance.

The Edit window command line for this option would read:

CONSTR/PLANE,OFFSET
ID
Identification or Identity. Also Label or Feature Name.=id1,,, …
OFFSET=val1…

Using Three Input Features

PC-DMIS will iterate and construct a plane such that the shortest distance from each input feature to the plane is the corresponding offset amount. PC-DMIS will apply negative offsets in the same general direction that the points are measured. Positive offset values will be applied opposite the probing direction. If there is no probing direction (i.e., the input points were constructed), PC-DMIS uses the current work plane to determine the general direction for applying the offsets. Positive offsets will be applied in the plus direction of the third axis of the current work plane. Negative offsets will be applied in the minus direction of the third axis of the current work plane.

Note: The sign (positive or negative) of the offset value, control on which side of the input features the plane is constructed. If you get the opposite plane than was expected, CANCEL the feature and reconstruct it, reversing the sign of the keyed in offsets. For example, if the offsets are 1.0, 2.5, 3.5, change them to -1.0, -2.5, -3.5.

The Edit window command line for this option would read:

CONSTR/PLANE,OFFSET
ID
Identification or Identity. Also Label or Feature Name.=id1, id2, id3, …
OFFSET=val1, val2, val3, …

More:

Changing Offsets Directly to Calculate Nominals

Example of Calculating Nominals

Changing Nominals Directly to Calculate Offsets

Example of Calculating Offsets