I can’t recall how many times I have seen a user do the following when creating a simple straight slot. First, the user creates two equally sized circles and makes the origins horizontal to each other. He then creates two horizontal lines, one above the circles and the other below the circles. A tangent relationship is then added between the lines and the circles. Then, lastly, the user trims up the arc and lines to create a simple straight slot. A lot of steps? yes. Is there an easier way? Of course. I am going to show you an easy way to create three types of simple slots; a straight slot, an arced slot and a slot based on a compound path. All with one command…Offset Entities.

Making a Simple Straight Slot

To create a simple straight slot, draw a line in any direction.

Then select the line and click the Offset Entities button in either the Sketch Toolbar or the Shortcut Bar.

In the CommandManager for Offset Entities make sure the following options are enabled:

Bi-directional – Offsets the line in both directions per the value entered.

Make Base Construction – Makes the original line a construction line

Cap Ends – This is what finishes the slot with either a rounded or straight cap. In our examples we will select Arcs.

Click the green check mark and your slot sketch is ready to be extruded.

Making an Arced Slot

The steps for creating an arced slot are exactly the same as creating a straight slot. First create a sketch of an arc that will represent the centerline of your arced slot.

Then select the arc segment and click the Offset Entities button in either the Sketch Toolbar or Shortcut Bar.

In the CommandManager for Offset Entities make sure the same options as described above are enabled.

Click the green check mark and your arced slot sketch is ready to be extruded.

Create a Slot from a Compound Path

Although the path in this example is more complex with a spline, line and arc making up the path; the process is exactly the same. Just make sure all segments of your path are tangent. If you have curvatures in the path that are too small you may need to adjust the offset distance.

Next select one of the segments of the path and click the Offset Entities button in either the Sketch Toolbar or Shortcut Bar.

Once again ensure that the options as describe above are enabled except for one exception:

Select chain: Automatically selects all segments of the path that are connected to the segment you selected.

Now click the green check mark and your compound path slot is now ready to be extruded.

As you can see three different slot types all easily created with one command. Can it be any easier?

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