How to offset an extrusion

offset a work plane and sketech it in the correct location. Alternatively you can use move body to move the solids into the correct location, provided you are using multi-body parts.

Rule #1. Inventor is NOT autocad.
Rule #2. A professional program requires a professional level of training.

I have no idea what you are doing but a 4 legged frame with rails sounds like it should be an assembly. Have you created the legs and the rails as parts then put them into an assembly.

Get training

Attach your file here and someone will show you a better way.
If you are using 2010 or 2011 multibody solids will probably get you there. And you can probably do without having to create extra workplanes.

<QUOTE>
Rule #1. Inventor is NOT autocad.
Rule #2. A professional program requires a professional level of training.

Get training
</QUOTE>

Thanks for the help, I'll try to keep your point in the back of my mind.

I plan on taking some courses on Inventor but in the mean time I'm trying to figure things out on my own, if this is not acceptable to you then please ignore any further questions from me.

I don't really want to create a single part for each rail, since the frame is one part on it's own and other parts mount to the frame I think it should be a single item.

Attach your file here and someone will show you a better way.