Carveco Tutorial: Offsetting Vectors
Offsetting vectors is a great way to create outlines, borders, or duplicates of your vector artwork at a consistent distance. You can offset both closed shapes and open lines — and even do it interactively.
🔹 Step 1: Open the Offset Tool
- Select your vector and click Offset Vectors in the left-hand tool panel.
- Enter a distance value (e.g.,
0.25for ¼ inch). - Choose to offset inwards or outwards (for closed vectors).
🔹 Step 2: Understanding Offset Options
- Outwards (Right) – Expands the shape outward.
- Inwards (Left) – Contracts the shape inward.
- These options apply to closed vectors only.
🔹 Step 3: Open Vectors – Left vs. Right
- For open lines, offsetting is done to the left or right based on the direction the vector was drawn.
- If the offset seems wrong, the vector may be reversed.
- Right-click the vector and choose Reverse Vectors to flip its start/end direction.
🔹 Step 4: Offset Tool Settings
- Select Resulting Offset – Automatically selects the new offset so you can repeat the operation.
- Delete Original – Removes the original vector and keeps only the offset version.
- Disable Interactive Offsetting – Prevents you from manually dragging to offset. Keep this OFF to allow click-and-drag behavior.
🔹 Step 5: Interactive Offsetting
- Hover over a vector until the cursor changes to a solid black arrow.
- Click and drag to offset it visually—great for freeform adjustments without entering values.
- Turn off Disable Interactive Offsetting to allow this behavior.
🔹 Step 6: Drawing Direction Affects Offset
- The green point is the vector's start; red point is the end.
- If offsetting left/right behaves unexpectedly, it's likely due to the vector's direction.
- Fix it by redrawing consistently (e.g., bottom to top) or using Reverse Vectors.
Whether you're outlining a logo or
Comments
Please sign in to leave a comment.