Create copies of objects

How to create copies of objects, including offset or transformed copies. and linked copies (instances).

Duplicate objects

Duplicate an object with transformations

Pick the object(s) you want to duplicate.

Specify the number of copies and translation (move) and rotation, and scaling values to apply to each copy, then click Go.

Create a free curve from existing geometry

Creates free curve copies of free curves, curves-on-surface, trim edges, or isoparametric curves.

The Duplicate curve tool duplicates any curves that are picked when you click the tool, and any curves you click while the tool is active.

Create a free curve from existing geometry

Choose Curve Edit > Create > Duplicate curve

Click a free curve, curve on surface, trim edge or isoparametric curve.

Create a curve from an arbitrary isoparametric curve

Choose Curve Edit > Create > Duplicate curve

In the Duplicate Curve window, turn on Interactive, then click Go.

Click an existing isoparametric curve on a surface.

Drag to the point where you want to duplicate the isoparametric curve, or type a parameter.

Click Go.

What if...?

The new curve occupies the same space as the original, so in many cases you will not actually see the separate curves until you move one of them.

] The free curve I create from a curve-on-surface or trim edge is not identical to the original?

Because they use different mathematical representations, free curves duplicated from curves-on-surface and trim edges are only close approximations of the originals.

Curves duplicated from curves-on-surface or trim edges can be very complex (many spans).

Reduce the number in the Spans box in the control panel.

Use Curve Edit > Rebuild curve

to recreate a simpler version of the curve.

Create an offset copy

Creates a copy of a curve or surface that is offset from the original (every point on the copy is a specific distance from the corresponding point on the original).

Create an offset copy of an object

Pick the object.

Choose Object edit > Offset

An approximation of the new curve or surface appears.

Do any of the following:

Drag the

left and right to change the offset distance.

Type a number to set the offset distance exactly.

Click Go.

What if...?

If your curve is not in the XY, XZ, YZ, or construction plane, you may get strange results. Open the options box, and set the Curve Offset Plane option to Geometry Average.

The Offset tool can have trouble with objects that have multi-knots or CV multiplicity.

Offset multiple surfaces while maintaining continuity

Use Surface Edit > Claymate

. Note that Claymate is not included with all AliasStudio products.

Pick the surfaces you want to offset.

Choose Surface Edit > Claymate

The Claymate Options window appears.

Turn the Claymate Offset option on, then click Go.

The Claymate Control window appears.

Set the Offset Distance in the Claymate Control window.

Pick any other surfaces you want to offset, then click Go.

Create linked instances of objects

Creates copies that are actually references to an original object. When the original is changed, the copied instances automatically update.

Instances are similar to file "shortcuts" in Windows or "aliases" on the Mac. They appear to be real geometry, but are actually links to the original object.

Instances take up less memory and disk space and display faster than real geometry.

Create instanced geometry

Pick the object that you want to copy.

Choose Edit > Duplicate > Object

Set Geometry Type to Instance and click Go.