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Edge Offset

What is it?

The Edge Offset tool creates parallel edges at a specified distance from selected edges within their faces. It works in edit mode and is perfect for creating insets, outlines, and parallel edge loops, particularly useful for hard-surface modeling and technical drawings.

Access and Shortcuts

  • Pie Menu: Edit Mode > Edge Offset
  • Operator: damtools.edge_offset
  • Modal keys:
  • Mouse Move → Adjust offset distance
  • T → Toggle face side
  • 0-9 → Enter distance numerically
  • Backspace → Clear numeric input
  • . → Decimal point for numeric input
  • - → Toggle negative distance
  • Enter/Return → Confirm numeric input
  • Click/Space → Confirm offset
  • ESC/Right Click → Cancel operation

Workflow

Basic Steps

  1. Enter Edit Mode
  2. Select edge(s) to offset
  3. Activate Edge Offset
  4. Move mouse to adjust distance
  5. Use T to toggle side if needed
  6. Optionally enter precise distance with numeric input
  7. Confirm with Click/Space

Numeric Input

  1. After activating, type numbers for exact distance
  2. Use . for decimal values
  3. Use - to toggle direction
  4. Press Enter to apply exact distance
  5. Continue adjusting with mouse if needed

Parameters

  • Offset Distance: Distance from original edge
  • Input: Mouse movement or numeric entry
  • Range: -1000 to 1000 units
  • Direction: Toggleable with T key
  • Edge Selection: Which edges to offset
  • Single or multiple edges
  • Must be part of a face
  • Supports non-planar faces

Tips

  • Works with multiple edges simultaneously
  • Use T to switch sides if offset goes wrong direction
  • Numeric input is great for precise distances
  • Preview shows which offsets are valid
  • The HUD shows count of valid/total offsets
  • Works on curved surfaces
  • Offset distance is measured along face surface

Known Limitations

  • Only works in edit mode
  • Requires edges to be part of faces
  • May fail on very complex face geometry
  • Cannot offset beyond face boundaries
  • No support for vertex-only edges
  • May have issues with non-manifold geometry

See Also