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Parametric Modeling
Create parametric sketches, geometry, and PolyNURBS with construction history and variables.
Sketching
Create and edit 2D parametric sketch geometry.
Offset/Mirror
Offset (O) or mirror (M) a sketch curve.

Welcome
What's New
Discover new features and enhancements.
Get Started
New to Inspire? Learn the basics here.
Tutorials
Start using Inspire with our interactive tutorials.
Variables
Create and assign variables to parametrize a model. This allows you to quickly iterate and compare design concepts by tweaking the values of the variables.
Parametric Modeling
Create parametric sketches, geometry, and PolyNURBS with construction history and variables.
- Construction History
  View and edit the construction history of your model.
- Global References
  Global references are the global origin, axes, and planes shown in the modeling window. They can be helpful when creating and defining your model.
- Sketching
  Create and edit 2D parametric sketch geometry.
  - Introduction to Sketching
    Learn about sketching basics including the sketch plane, legend, constraints, context menu options, and construction geometry.
  - New Sketch
    Start a new sketch (S) and select a sketch plane.
  - Project
    Project selected geometry onto the sketch plane as construction geometry.
  - Intersect
    Extract curves resulting from the intersection of the sketch plane with selected parts or surfaces.
  - Point/Lines
    Sketch and edit a point, line, polyline (L), or line-arc.
  - Rectangles
    Sketch and edit a rectangle (R).
  - Polygons
    Sketch and edit a parallelogram or a regular polygon.
  - Circles
    Sketch and edit a circle (C).
  - Ellipses
    Sketch and edit an ellipse or an elliptical arc.
  - Arcs
    Sketch and edit an arc (A).
  - Splines
    Sketch and edit a spline (S).
  - Dimension
    Use the Dimension tool (D) to define and/or constrain the dimensions of a sketch.
  - Image Plane
    Create an image plane that you can use as a background reference image, so you can trace lines and curves to start your design.
  - Transform
    Translate or rotate sketch entities.
  - Trim/Break
    Trim (B) or split a sketch curve.
  - Extend
    Extend or shorten an entity of a sketch curve.
  - Fillet
    Round the corners of 2D sketch curves to create fillets (F) with the same radius or different radii.
  - Offset/Mirror
    Offset (O) or mirror (M) a sketch curve.
  - Pattern
    Create a linear or circular pattern of sketch entities.
  - Export DXF/DWG
    Export the current sketch as a .dxf or .dwg file.
  - Break External Sketch References
    Break sketch constraints or relationships to other features.
- Geometry
  Create and modify parametric surfaces and solids.
- PolyMesh
  Create polymesh objects from other types of geometry and results.
- PolyNURBS
  Create free-form solid geometry that is smooth and continuous.
Implicit Modeling
Create implicit models with primitives, lattices, point clouds, fields, offsetting, Booleans, inverting, smoothing, morphing, and filleting.
Structures
Set up your model and run a structural analysis or optimization.
Motion
Set up and run a motion analysis, plot the results, and export the results.
Fluids
Prepare and run a computational fluid dynamics simulation.
Design Explorer
Evaluate designs by using geometric variables and applying a design-of-experiments (DOE) or optimization method. We recommend fully constraining your sketch when sketch variables are used in the design exploration.
Manufacture
Set up and run a basic porosity or thinning analysis.
Print 3D
Prepare and run an additive manufacturing simulation, and export a file for 3D printing.
Rendering
Adjust the materials and environment of objects in the scene to create a photorealistic image.
Inspire Python API
Learn how to access the Inspire Python API including online help, quick start demos, and the Extension Manager.
Reference
View the glossary, frequently asked questions, and errors and alerts.
Keyboard Shortcuts and Mouse Controls
Learn keyboard shortcuts and mouse controls for common operations.

Offset/Mirror

Offset (O) or mirror (M) a sketch curve.

Mirror

Create symmetric copies of selected sketch curves across a selected centerline. By default, there is a parent-child relationship between source curves and their symmetric copies.

On the ribbon Sketch ribbon, select the Mirror tool.

Tip: To find and open a tool, press Ctrl+F. For more information, see Find and Search for Tools.
Select the sketch entities to mirror.
On the guide bar, select Axis.
Select an axis or line as the centerline to mirror across.

Tip: You can select the red and green sketch axes as centerlines.
Select Apply on the guide bar or microdialog.
Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.

Offset

Create a copy of a sketch curve at a specified distance from the source curve.

On the Sketch ribbon, select the Offset tool.

Tip: To find and open a tool, press Ctrl+F. For more information, see Find and Search for Tools.
On the guide bar, choose a selection method:
- Chain Selection (default): When selecting a sketch entity, automatically select all connected sketch entities as well.
- Single Selection: Select sketch entities to offset one by one.
Click-and-drag a sketch entity to offset it.

Enter a value for the offset distance and select additional options in the microdialog:


To	Do this
Reverse the direction of the offset	Select Reverse Direction .
Define the gap filling method	Select one of the following options from the drop-down menu: Tangent Extensions: Extend the offset curves on either one or both ends tangentially. Natural Extensions: Extend the offset curves as they naturally occur. Arc Caps: Fill the gap in the offset curve with an arc. Line Caps: Fill the gap in the offset curve with a line.
Create a symmetric offset	Select Offset Symmetry on the microdialog. Then, select one of the following options from the drop-down menu: Open: Leave the offset curve open. Line Caps: Create a closed loop with straight ends. Arc Caps: Create a closed loop with rounded ends. This option only applies to open sketch curves.

Click Apply on the guide bar or microdialog.
Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.