Any way to create parallel curves in a sketch?

[sundevil98]

Hi,

I'm wondering if it's at all possible to offset a sketched line within a sketch.

For example, say I sketch a profile of lines and curves. Now, say I want to offset that profile by a distance of 1 inch (or whatever the value) within the same sketch, so that I have two "parallel" profiles.

Is there anyway to do this?

I'm trying to follow some techniques I use in CATIA and employ them in Pro/E.

 

[im4cad]

Why do you need that? If you want for example to do protrusions, or cuts, or other features, you can use just one curve, or sketch with the option "both sides", or "one side", and you'll have two offset edges.
The more complicated your sketch gets, the slower and more difficult to control it would be.

im4cad
Pro Design Services, Inc.

http://www.cadproe.com/pds/home.asp

 

[sundevil98]

I should explain that after the two profiles are offset from each other, they are then joined together at the ends to create a closed geometry which is then used to create an extruded surface.

Basically, I'd like to be able to sketch a centerline - offset the line in either direction a certain distance on both sides, close the shape, and then create a surface from that shape.

Right now, I have to create a feature (datum curve) that's just the centerline. Then, I have to create the sketch for the surface that offsets the centerline in both directions. Now, I'm stuck with two features one dependent upon the other.

What I'd like is to be able create a surface by sketching my centerline, and in the same feature, be able to offset to both sides, close up, and create the surface. But, Pro/E doesn't let you offset a curve within a sketch. You can only reference a curve that's already been created.

Sure, I could do it the way I mentioned above by creating two features, but these surfaces change, and they change often, so I'm stuck creating two features every time (regeneration usually leads to failure). It'd be easier to just deal with one feature.

Thought there might be an easier way to do it.

 

[mjcole]

You might try using the copy & scale feature found on the same flyout as the mirror comand to make a scaled up version and scaled down version of the profile then add offset dimensions on either side of profile.

Or you can create the inner surface and then just use an offset surface feature, this would reduce your overall number of surfaces.