Split Surface and Offset?

Hello,

I want to divide a face. Then I want to offset that face to make a pocket. I understand what I want to do in other CAD packages. I'm struggling to get it done in SW.

So far I am offsetting a face. Then extrude another feature to intersect it. I knit these all together to form a solid. Then I can subtract the two volumes.

Can anyone suggest a simpler alternative?

Thank you,

Brent

SolidworksSurfacing