How to Make Parallel Copies of 3D Solids in BricsCAD BIM

Quick answer: The Offset tool creates copies of linear entities, aligned parallel to the original at a specified distance. On a 3D solid, what exactly it offsets depends on SELECTIONMODES: an edge with Select Edges enabled (bitcode 1), a face’s edges with Select Faces enabled (bitcode 2), or a detected boundary with Select Detected Boundaries enabled (bitcode 4), a third confirmation now of the exact bitcode values covered on this hub’s Selection and Grip Settings page.

Worth noting: like the DmPushPull page in this hub, this source’s own title reads “BricsCAD Lite & Pro” while its breadcrumb places it under BricsCAD BIM, another example of a general tool documented within the BIM section.

Making a Parallel Copy of a 3D Solid Edge

Make sure the Quad is active and Select Edges is enabled in the Selection Modes toolbar first.

1. Hover the cursor over the solid’s edge to highlight it.
2. Choose Offset from the Quad.
3. Drag the edge to set the offset distance; it displays in the dynamic dimension field, and the parallel copy creates dynamically.
4. Type a precise distance in the dynamic entry field and press Enter, or left-click to accept.

The original edge highlights orange, while the offset copy (with grips) highlights blue, with a connecting line showing the offset distance between them.

Making a Parallel Copy of a 3D Solid Face

Make sure the Quad is active and Select Faces is enabled in the Selection Modes toolbar first.

1. Hover the cursor over the solid’s face to highlight it.
2. Choose Offset from the Quad.
3. Move the cursor outside or inside the solid to set the offset distance; the parallel copy creates dynamically.
4. Type a distance in the dynamic entry field and press Enter, or left-click to finish.

Worth knowing: the result is a polyline, not another solid face, with a connecting line showing the offset distance between the original face and the new polyline.

Making a Parallel Copy of a Detected Boundary

Make sure the Quad is active and Select Detected Boundaries is enabled in the Selection Modes toolbar first.

1. Move the cursor inside the boundary to highlight it.
2. Choose Offset from the Quad.
3. Move the cursor to define the offset distance and left-click; the parallel copy creates dynamically.
4. Type a precise distance in the dynamic entry field and press Enter, or left-click to accept.

Here too, the result is a polyline copy, with a connecting line showing the offset distance from the original detected boundary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What determines whether Offset copies an edge, a face’s edges, or a detected boundary? SELECTIONMODES: Select Edges (bitcode 1), Select Faces (bitcode 2), or Select Detected Boundaries (bitcode 4).

Does offsetting a solid’s face produce another solid face? No, it produces a polyline instead, not a duplicate face.

Do I need the Quad active to use Offset on a 3D solid this way? Yes, make sure the Quad is active before starting any of these procedures.

How do I set a precise offset distance rather than just dragging visually? Type the value directly into the dynamic entry field and press Enter, rather than left-clicking to accept the dragged position.