Offset surfaces with a fixed distance

[Boizell]

Dear All

 

Is there a way to offset connceted triangulated surfaces with a fixed distance to create consistent thickness?

The offset commands in Rhino or even the Shell command in Max produce unparallel surfaces. These commands/ modifiers calculate the average normal at every vertix and offset the input amount resulting in tilted offsets in 3D.

 

I can imagine that with complex traingulated masses it could get messy as there won't be one intersection point between connected surfaces, but is there a plugin or another 3D program that could manage this?

 

Thank you

[Antisthenes]

i've read v5 excels at this

[Boizell]

I really hope so...

but is there anything already out there in the market?