Reference Curves and Channel

Objective: Learn how to offset the solid edges and carve the channel that will hold the gemstones.

Offset Curve On Surface

Go to the “Curve” tab and use the “Offset Curve On Surface” command to create reference curves from the edges of the solid.

• Select the first edge. Arrows will appear: choose the option where the arrows point inward — surface edge.
• Type 0.5 in the command bar and press Enter to create the first curve.
• Click the command again and select the edge where the arrows point outward — surface edge. Since the offset value is already 0.5, just press Enter to create the second curve.

Move them to another layer so they’re easier to see.

Pull the Curves

To make sure the curves sit exactly on the surface, select them and use the “Pull” command, selecting the surface they’re on. They are now perfectly aligned with the surface.

Push and Pull the Channel

From the perspective view, go to the “Solid” tab and use the “Push and Pull” command.

• Click on the surface located in the inner part, between the two offsets.
• Type 0.4 in the command bar.
• Use the mouse to guide the command toward the inside of the solid and click to execute.

The channel where the gemstones will sit is ready.

Video Lesson

Next Step

Next, we’ll extract the curve that positions the gems.