Offset: a simple line extra addition

[Anonymous]

I could use an "Offset" feature so many times. It simply allows a person to pick any amount of lines, walls, beams etc. and offsets a copy at a distance desired. The key to this feature is that it the offset amount is the same along the entire path. Please add this feature. It is a small thing but a HUGE need.

[Paul King]

You can , sort of....
Not as elegant or ergonomic in terms of key presses, but you can just drag a copy or multiple copies with perpendicular lock on, (perp with reference to original element)
I do this all the time.

Does not address single arcs or ellipses annoyingly as radii do not change to suit offset.

[Djordje]

Donald wrote:
I repeat, in my opinion the offset command is, in practice, not simple and, i find, unreliable. And why can't you offset a single line?

It depends on how you understand the offset and whether you expect to use it in the same way as you did in let's say AutoCAD or anything else, OR you realize that not all software works the same way and try to first see the way the particular one does.

About the single line? Yes, you can. Select the line (arc, wall, beam) that you want to offset first. Then click on Offset, click on Magic Wand, with the tool of the element that you want to create active, on the selected element.

One should discern between offsetting the polygonal elements and linear elements; with the linear elements, whether they are grouped or not.

I am now copying this thread to Working in ArchiCAD, as the topic really belongs there.

[Anonymous]

Paul wrote:
You can , sort of....
Not as elegant or ergonomic in terms of key presses, but you can just drag a copy or multiple copies with perpendicular lock on, (perp with reference to original element)
I do this all the time.

Does not address single arcs or ellipses annoyingly as radii do not change to suit offset.

Keith wrote:
1. You've got to be in 'line' or 'arc' mode to offset
2. If you try and offset a group comprising lines and arcs, and you're not in 'arc' mode when you do it, your offset arcs end up as a mass of tiny straight lines.
3. You can't offset polylines.
4. You've got to enter the offset dimension every time, preceeded by that 'R' thing.

Always one of the most difficult things for AutoCAD users moving to ArchiCAD. I have to admit that there are some advantages to the way things can be offset in AutoCAD and, DMD, I agree that the documentation on offsetting things is less than stellar.

All of the objects below were offset by typing "O" (the single keyboard command for Offset), holding down the Space Bar and clicking on an object.

Yes you do have to have the tool of what you want to create active when you do an offset. In the attached below, for example, the 2 walls with the line above them, the lowest poly wall was drawn first; the wall above it was created with the wall tool active by clicking on the offset button in the control box and Space+Click on the lower wall; the polyline above it was done the same way with the polyline tool active. This is VERY powerful!

So polylines are no problem, arcs, ellipses...

Want to start or place something a given distance from a point; just move the cursor to the referenced point, type in how far away from that point you want to be and hit Enter (Return).

Cheers,

Woody

[Anonymous]

By the way... just want to emphasize that I'm NOT saying ArchiCAD offsets are perfect and being able to offset splines for example would be very nice.

Woody

[Dwight]

A situation that complex calls for more than merely the magic wand - to manipulate thise edges you need plain "magic."

[Anonymous]

I too feel the offset tool is overly complex and quirky at times. I have struggled with users of the program trying to teach them all of the "rules" one must follow to effectively offset. Often times the complexity has led these users to not use this powerful command (not all of these users came from and AutoCad background). In my opinion it would be worthwhile for Graphisoft to re-examine the nuances of this tool.

[Anonymous]

"I too feel the offset tool is overly complex and quirky at times."

Indeed. Even a simple offset of an L-shaped wall is absurd. Rather than keep an even offset that surrounds the L-shaped wall (front and back), the application wants to create a triangle-shaped offset. My scenario is a concrete block retaining wall of various shapes. I want to use Offset to place a footing under this wall; seems a simple request but almost impossible to accomplish.
Anyone know how to do this?
Ron

[Dwight]

I assume that you mean that you have a wall element in a plan and would like to place another, wider wall element beneath it to act as a footing.

In this case, you make a new wall element [saved to favorites] to the size and z height you need and magic wand it onto the existing wall.

[Anonymous]

Dwight.
I follow you . . .interesting solution. I like this solution because I only have to select the walls, then revise their attibutes; very nifty. The only shortcoming I found was that the offset created does not extend beyond the end of the walls. I can of course add these elements manually; it's workable. Perhaps there is a setting that will result in this offset at the wall ends?
Any other ideas?
Ron
PS Thanks for helping me think outside my current perspective.

[Dwight]

Okay. I was concerned that your posting had a "drafting" connotation. You appeared to be using lines to achieve what our religion says should be building elements.... because "offset" is for 2D elements. We save the "transmogrification" command for 3D elements.

Using the magic wand to reference a prior element in placing another is a standard trick - a slab between walls. Walls around a slab - or a zone. A hip roof on top of walls. If you maintain all of your standard elements on the favorites list, it is simple.

You do need to extend your footings manually, but when using building elements, it is a simple stretch. Of course, there are some who question the practice of extending footings beyond the wall end, but since it is accepted... we can save that for another conversation.