Hi folks back with another problem, again probably inexperience. 

I have looked through the help etc but I cannot seem to rectify an issue I am having with the offset tool.  Basically, no matter what I set as the distance (positive or negative) the offset is always offset outwards.  Is there something I am missing?

TC 2019 Pro with Win10 OS

Many thanks

With the Offset tool, click in the direction you want the new object to be created.  For closed objects, this means inside or outside.


Jeff

Many thanks Jeff, but that is exactly what I have been doing.  It does not matter where I click (inside or outside the selected line/shape) or what value (positive or negative) the offset is ALWAYS applied outward.  i had been using this tool with no issue until the recent update.
I am trying to offset a polyline (offset rectangle with rounded corners) which does offset by the set distance but only outward (positive) no matter what I do.
Has me stumped.   

The next time you use the Offset command, check the Inspector Bar. I have noticed, sometimes, that the function starts up with a value in the Offset that is locked (a locked padlock is displayed immediately above the entry gadget) . If so, you will want to unlock and try from there.


Jeff

Thanks again for the quick response Jeff, 

As far as I can see the value is not locked as it does allow me to change it to other values, but I have made some progress by experimenting.   I still can't get it to offset by less than 1.5" inside.  If I set anything under 1.5 " it will only offset outwards; any distance greater than 1.5 will offset in either direction

Is there some size or other shape constraint that stops this that I am unaware of?  I am beginning to think one of the angles may be too small to allow it to offset?

Many thanks again

cheers

Pat

How big is the "base object" in X and Y  ??
And are you on the same workplane as the object, i believe that is an issue for me sometimes if/ when it will only ofset to one side.
Then i set workplane by object before i offset again, and it work just fine

Torfinn

... I still can't get it to offset by less than 1.5" inside.  If I set anything under 1.5 " it will only offset outwards; any distance greater than 1.5 will offset in either direction

Please upload the file, along with a specific description of what you are trying to do, here so we can take a look at it and run some experiments.


Jeff

Hi Torfinn and Jeff.

Torfinn, I am working in 2D with worldplane selected.  I will experiment with this and see if there is a workplane issue?  The shape is a rotated rectangle with filleted (2D) corners that is 133 inches by 77 inches.   

Jeff, unfortunately the file is MUCH to large to load here.  I will start a new file with the same object  shape and size and see what happens; if it remains an issue I will post that one.

Thanks again for the help.

Jeff, unfortunately the file is MUCH to large to load here.  I will start a new file with the same object  shape and size and see what happens; if it remains an issue I will post that one.

Make a copy of your file, then delete everything unrelated to your problem and upload that file.

If the problem goes away, then that is an indicator of a bug.  Try opening a new TC window.  In the first window, make everything visible in Wireframe mode, select all, copy and paste into the second window.

Then, see if the Offset tool is still failing.  If so, delete the object and draw a replacement and see if that works.


Jeff

Thanks jeff I will do that and get back to you.  Unfortunately this will be some time (a couple of weeks) as i go in for surgery today.

Thanks for the help and advice.

cheers

Hi Jeff, 

I have finally been able to readdress this (still recuperating from hip surgery).

I did as suggested - made a copy of the file and deleted everything else except the object (see attached) I am trying to offset.

In summary - if I set 1.5 or greater I can offset in or out (+ or -); however for any value under 1.5 inches I can ONLY off set + (or outwards).

cheers

Pat

I had no problem with a 1 inch Offset in either direction.  I tried it with ZOffset set to -1 and 0.

Do you have the ability to capture screen video while you perform the operation?  I'd like to see what's happening.


Jeff

Hi Jeff, I think I have but have never used it.  I will experiment and see what I can create.

Please note I am working in 2D - do I still need to set a z offset?  Please also see my question in General Discussion re 2D/3D which I thought was not a problem but rather an interface/user question hence posted there - http://forums.turbocad.com/index.php/topic,25942.0.html  Message #4- may be related?

Many thanks for the help.

Pat

Hi Jeff, managed to figure out how to use the tool and hopefully will be OK to add here.  I used the same file which I sent previously - does this suggest a set-up issue on this end?

Note that I start with 1.5 inch offset which works fine (offsets in the direction required).  When I change the value to 1.45 inches, the offset is applied outwards no matter what.

cheers

Pat

Hi Jeff and all.

I think I may have resolved the offset tool issue but have yet to fully verify.  Thanks to a tip on another thread responding to issues of 2D/3D selection alerts I found that some of my objects may have been on another workplane.  A friend who does some 3D stuff for me created some 3D wirefram drawings for me to import, which he converted to 2D.  i think his conversion may have retained some 3D properties and may have been the underlying issue for the offset. 

I have now selected all of my entities/objects and used the 'modify > place on workplane'  tool. Since doing that (during that session) I was able to use the offset tool OK; I will verify tomorrow in a new session.  Strange! ?

Many thanks all for your patience with a hamfisted user   I have learned quite a few things during the process though.

cheers

Pat

Hi again all - unfortunately I can only report partial success.

I keep getting the same selection alert (reported in my other thread) that reports the message attached re workplane.  When I try to select all - then when I try to place it on the workplane I get the other OLE alert attached - I have to do this process each time I open the file but after I do the offset tool works OK.

I cannot determine what the OLE object/entity is but the message does pop up when I select the first rectangular shape I drew (the one I am trying to offset.  the resulting offset object/entity appears fine.

I know this will be a basic user thing I have done.  I suspect the first entity I drew may have been on the wrong plane and has somehow become an OLE object?  I won't delete it yet (until I get some feedback from experienced users) but I feel I may have to do this and also try to track down the other objects/entities that are OLEs?

cheers

Pat

Pat you should be able to stop the 1st warning message by selecting warnings in tcw and uncheck. See the help file for more info.

2nd message not sure yet, but try selecting the last object that you were working with only and then set to world workplane only.

I know this will be a basic user thing I have done.  I suspect the first entity I drew may have been on the wrong plane and has somehow become an OLE object?  I won't delete it yet (until I get some feedback from experienced users) but I feel I may have to do this and also try to track down the other objects/entities that are OLEs?

To the best of my recollection, TurboCAD stopped supporting OLE objects several versions ago.  Where you could have gotten it is a puzzle.

Try this: Select the object and, with the Selection Info palette active, Explode it (the location of the Explode command will vary with your selected User Interface; it is under the Format drop-down menu in my setup; it will be under the Modify drop-down menu in other configurations).

With luck, you will have an ACIS Solid or a Group or even a simple Polyline.  You will be able to proceed from there.


Jeff

Hi jeff, I don't know what is happening with the object so I have deleted it.  Must have corrupted somehow?

When I selected it with the selection pallette active, it showed as a polyline (before doing anything).  Also I noted that when evenever I selected it, I could only select 'workplane by face' or 'show/hide workplane'  - every other option unavailable.  Also placing the object with the 'place on workplane' did nothing.

All too confusing for me.  The other objects/entities in my drawing appear fine.

Thanks for the help.