Fantastic! I knew dynamic offset, but never tried the others. This was a GREAT explanation of them side by side. Exactly what I wanted to know and am thrilled I found your video!
You can also add a stroke, adjust the thickness, then convert stroke to path to replicate the effect of an outset. I had to do this today when the outset function was acting up and not preserving a sharp point on a duplicated path. It also lets you more finely adjust the thickness without having to fiddle with outset/inset step sizes or the dynamic offset.
Only the linked offset actually makes a copy of the original shape, the others act on the shape itself (so to make a border, you will need to duplicate the shape first - ctrl d). Unlike scaling an object, which doesn't affect the shape of an object, offsets move the path in or out perpendicular to the path. This allows you to create even borders but will distort the shape of the object. I hope that makes it a little clearer
I don't get the sharp corners with inset/outset with these instructions. I have no idea what's going on with my inkscape. I used to use Extensions - inset/outset and the most I can create a halo around my original line is now 7mm - I used to be able to create 15mm.... with your instuctions I get nodes added near the corners which distorts the shape - and I'm not using dynamic or linked. Having said that, thank you for showing the px settings... I've changed the px steps so I can get the halo I want but I have to go in and take out the added nodes that are created. Perhaps if I make the px gap smaller, I can repeat the steps and not have added nodes. I need to nest after creating the halos so can't have added nodes.
Try using the Path effect, it gives you more control, you can also tell it to use a mitre for the joins to get the shape corners. Path - Path Effects... - Offset.
@@CreateForFree thanks for taking the time to reply. I really appreciate it. Crazy thing is, that is path! Having said that your technique has saved me bags of time instead of using extensions-inset/outset.
Thanks for an informative video 😁 I’ve been trying a design where it looks at though one letter is cutting through another word, but I can’t get the right combination of offset/difference etc to make it work. Would you have any suggestion I could try please? 😁
Depending on the look of your design, you may find these videos helpful Logo offset border th-cam.com/video/sbAgFVmXgjw/w-d-xo.html Image inside text th-cam.com/video/Ookb0ilYVBs/w-d-xo.html And this one uses exclusion to give a different effect th-cam.com/video/h6ZcYxMSGY0/w-d-xo.html If you are trying to do something different let me know and I'll see if I can help
If you have cap lock on it doesn't work, but sometimes it can just be a glitch. If it's not cap lock,you could try closing Inkscape down and then opening a new document and see if it works.
As well as the offsets described in the video, there is also a a path effect for offsets. Path - Path Effects to open the dialog box. With the path selected that you want to offset, click on the triangle beside 'Add Live Path effect', choose Offset from the list. You will then be able to choose the type of joint - so you can have corners mitered or rounded, choose your units and set an exact offset. This is a Path effect, so if you want to make the offset permanent, use Path - Object to Path.
If you go to Path - Path effects... you will have the Path effects dialog box pop up. With the path you want to offset selected click the + button at the bottom of the dialog box and choose the offset path effect, in there you can state the size of the offset. If you want to finalize the offset you can use Path - object to Path.
Very helpful video. I've been trying to do the linked offset, but it's locked. I've uninstalled, reinstalled and reset defaults. It remains locked. Any help would be appreciated.
Yes, if you're lines are vector paths, you could adjust the stroke width or use Path - Stroke to Path and then use offsets. If you are talking about bitmap images JPEGs or PNGs then you could use Path - Trace bitmap to make a vector copy and then use the offsets. I have made a video guide to Trace Bitmap if needed.
Thanks for the video. I can offset shapes, but for some unknown reason to me I am unable to create offsets of imported pngs. Think you could help me out?
Offsets only work on paths (and text, but once you offset it, it becomes a path). PNGs are a raster format - image is made of dots, so offsets won't work. Probably the easiest way to create an offset would be to trace around the outline of the image with the Bezier tool, to make a closed path. Then drop it down behind the PNG and offset the path to create your border. How that helps
Hi Audrey, I've now add a couple of videos that you might find helpful: Paint Bucket Tool Inkscape: th-cam.com/video/oTzKShUhYa8/w-d-xo.html Remove the Background and add an Offset to png or jpg Inkscape: th-cam.com/video/bh_9LmHMZoI/w-d-xo.html
Is there a way to make an offset that stays at a specific thickness regardless of how large or small I scale the original object? I need to put a 6.35mm offset around and within objects. Thanks!
If the original object doesn't have a stoke then you could use a stroke to create a link offset (if you are using strokes within your objects you could use Path - Stoke to Path to convert them into Paths first, as this method will stop all strokes from being scaled with the object). Select your objects then open the Fill and Stroke dialog box, under the Stroke Style tab - set the stroke to twice the width you want (half of the stroke is on the inside and half is on the outside of the path). Set Join to rounded and Order to Stroke,Fill,Marker (middle one on top row). So that should give you the offset, now select the Select and Transform tool ( the arrow at the top of the tool bar on the left) - at the far right of the tool's command bar (at the top) there are 4 buttons that determine how objects scale, the first one is to scale the stroke with the object, if you turn it off, the stroke will stay the same width when you scale the object so your offset should also remain the same width. Hopefully that will give you the result you want.
Hm thats (not 100%) what I searched but would do the job if it would work. When I press ctrl+( and scroll the mouse wheel it is like zooming in or out. Not workding as you described :-( ctrl+j won´t show up the handle icon. Another question: I can give a precise distance eg 5px or 1mm something else? Only use scrolling (if worked) Press and hold ctrl+) shrink the obejct but all other ctrl+( or CTR+J do nothing.
On my keyboard '(' is on 9 and ')' is on 0, so try pressing ctrl + 9 and ctrl + 0 to move the offset in and out. Holding down ctrl and using the mouse wheel will just zoom you in and out as you've discovered. If the diamond handle doesn't appear (I think if you are still in one of the drawing tools it won't) you can select the Nodes tool and you will be able to see the handle. When you are working on a project in Inkscape, your image will have a set export resolution or DPI - how many pixels there are in an inch (Dots Per Inch) the default is 96DPI. So there will be 96 pixels in an inch (25.4mm) so a 1mm offset = 3.78 pixels (96/25.4)
Only the linked offset creates a new shape automatically, if you are using any of the others such as inset/offset you will want to duplicate (Ctrl + D) the shape first and offset that - as it does change the path you are working on.
Hi it's me again 😄 I tried to do this and it's a no go. Everytime I select object then use control + ( or ) all it does is rotate my object around?? Help !
Help me please. I have such a problem. When I press Inset or Ctrl + ( the duplicated triangle decreases with sharp corners. And when I press Outset or Ctrl +) the angles are rounded. It looks like a dynamic effect. Why is that? I have Inkscape 1.2
Outsetting moves the path outward by an even number of pixels all round, so all methods eventually round the corners. I've just tried outsetting 'ctrl + )' on my computer in Inkscape 1.2 and on the first few iterations the corners stay sharp then after a while they start to round. If yours isn't doing the same, maybe it's the scale you are working at, or perpaps the steps are set too high [Preferences - Behaviour - steps - Inset/Outset by: ] Inset moves it in by a set number of pixels so the corners will alway stay sharp. Hope that helps.
@@CreateForFreeYes. I have the same. On the first few iterations the corners stay sharp then after a while they start to round. Thanks for the clue. I will play with Preferences yet
The offset feature only works on paths, so you will need to create a path around the outline of the image, depending on the type of image you are importing will determine which methods will be suitable to create the outline - manual tracing, using trace bitmap or possibly the fill tool. I've included links to a few videos which you may find useful. This video shows you how to manually trace the outline using the Bezier pen and the nodes tool - well worth watching even if you don't want to use this method. th-cam.com/video/47h04PW32t4/w-d-xo.html Learn how to use Trace bitmap - and extremely useful feature in Inkscape and depending on the image, this can make creating an outline very simple. th-cam.com/video/e9pPdvJu8mg/w-d-xo.html The Fill tool is another great way to create outlines - This video runs through how to use it to create an outline, remove the background and add offsets. th-cam.com/video/bh_9LmHMZoI/w-d-xo.html Just incase its an svg that you are importing you may find this one helpful - shows you how to create a solid background and offset it. th-cam.com/video/6L9tIxmJxWA/w-d-xo.html Hope you find these useful.
What do you mean by locked? changing to the nodes tool allows you to adjust the original path and the linked offset should follow. It will also make the diamond handle appear if it is not visible. Someone else ask a similar question, so if this doesn't help, let me know. If you want to move the path and the offsets to a different position together, click off and then drag a box over them all to move them together (all need to be selected to move together - you can select one then hold shift and select the other(s) ). You can move the linked offsets by themselves to different locations, but they remain linked - so if you use the nodes tool to adjust the original path the offsets will copy. Hope that helps
@@CreateForFree there is a lock icon on “linked offset” but I was still able to use it and it worked fine. It worked so blame it on use error lol thank you for your reply!
Glad to hear you got it working. I see what you mean with the lock symbol on the menu icon, I changed the icon theme and the lock disappeared so I think it is just part of the linked offset icon design for that theme.
They both work on my computer. Make sure the paths are not grouped and the path you want to offset is selected. If the diamond shaped handle doesn't appear, try changing to the nodes tool - that should make it visible
Should work on all shaped paths. You do need to make sure that they are not grouped though. I've also found that cap lock can stop the CRL+( or ) from working.
If you want to create the same offset for multiple objects, select the node in dynamic or linked offset & then use the up/down arrows on the keyboard
Thanks for that tip, I've pinned your comment so other can benefit
YEEES! I've been loking for that! I was afraid you can adjust in only by dragging, which would be inconsistent. Thanks.
thank you, where can i contact you for tutorials
Handy to know where you can change the inset/offset step size, thanks
Fantastic! I knew dynamic offset, but never tried the others. This was a GREAT explanation of them side by side. Exactly what I wanted to know and am thrilled I found your video!
Thanks, glad it was help
Very simple and informative video, thank you for your time. Your channel deserve thousands of subscribers and I'm one of them.
Thank you, it's always good to know that my videos are helping people and thanks again for subscribing.
You can also add a stroke, adjust the thickness, then convert stroke to path to replicate the effect of an outset. I had to do this today when the outset function was acting up and not preserving a sharp point on a duplicated path. It also lets you more finely adjust the thickness without having to fiddle with outset/inset step sizes or the dynamic offset.
That's a great work around, thank for sharing the tip.
This was just what I was looking for, thanks!
Glad I could help!
Simply.. thanks
Glad it helped
Thanks for this great tutorial. As I understand, the inset/outset gives a similar copy of the original shape.
Only the linked offset actually makes a copy of the original shape, the others act on the shape itself (so to make a border, you will need to duplicate the shape first - ctrl d). Unlike scaling an object, which doesn't affect the shape of an object, offsets move the path in or out perpendicular to the path. This allows you to create even borders but will distort the shape of the object.
I hope that makes it a little clearer
I really like the offsets tool in inkscape
Inkscape does have a handy selection of offset options 👍
Cool, thanks!
You're welcome 😁
Thank you so much. You help me
Glad I could help
Thank you very much
You're very welcome
Thank you 💞
You're welcome
I don't get the sharp corners with inset/outset with these instructions. I have no idea what's going on with my inkscape. I used to use Extensions - inset/outset and the most I can create a halo around my original line is now 7mm - I used to be able to create 15mm.... with your instuctions I get nodes added near the corners which distorts the shape - and I'm not using dynamic or linked. Having said that, thank you for showing the px settings... I've changed the px steps so I can get the halo I want but I have to go in and take out the added nodes that are created. Perhaps if I make the px gap smaller, I can repeat the steps and not have added nodes. I need to nest after creating the halos so can't have added nodes.
Try using the Path effect, it gives you more control, you can also tell it to use a mitre for the joins to get the shape corners.
Path - Path Effects... - Offset.
@@CreateForFree thanks for taking the time to reply. I really appreciate it. Crazy thing is, that is path! Having said that your technique has saved me bags of time instead of using extensions-inset/outset.
Thanks for an informative video 😁 I’ve been trying a design where it looks at though one letter is cutting through another word, but I can’t get the right combination of offset/difference etc to make it work. Would you have any suggestion I could try please? 😁
Depending on the look of your design, you may find these videos helpful
Logo offset border
th-cam.com/video/sbAgFVmXgjw/w-d-xo.html
Image inside text
th-cam.com/video/Ookb0ilYVBs/w-d-xo.html
And this one uses exclusion to give a different effect
th-cam.com/video/h6ZcYxMSGY0/w-d-xo.html
If you are trying to do something different let me know and I'll see if I can help
@@CreateForFree Thank you so much :)
eveything I wanted to know!
Glad it was helpful
Thanks it helps allot :), but for some reason my keyboard short cuts is not working
If you have cap lock on it doesn't work, but sometimes it can just be a glitch. If it's not cap lock,you could try closing Inkscape down and then opening a new document and see if it works.
is there any way to do an offset with a specific measurement, like I want to offset .125" from the original shape?
As well as the offsets described in the video, there is also a a path effect for offsets. Path - Path Effects to open the dialog box. With the path selected that you want to offset, click on the triangle beside 'Add Live Path effect', choose Offset from the list. You will then be able to choose the type of joint - so you can have corners mitered or rounded, choose your units and set an exact offset. This is a Path effect, so if you want to make the offset permanent, use Path - Object to Path.
good video my friend. but I don't know why my linked offset is locked. I can't use it. thank you!
If the diamond shaped handle isn't appearing, change to the nodes tool to make it visible.
Can you input the size of the offset manually in any other way other than going to Preferences?
If you go to Path - Path effects... you will have the Path effects dialog box pop up. With the path you want to offset selected click the + button at the bottom of the dialog box and choose the offset path effect, in there you can state the size of the offset. If you want to finalize the offset you can use Path - object to Path.
Very helpful video. I've been trying to do the linked offset, but it's locked. I've uninstalled, reinstalled and reset defaults. It remains locked. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks. When you say it is locked, does the diamond handle appear? if it doesn't, changing to the nodes tool may help.
Can Inkscape do this for lines? Will be useful for things like transit maps.
Yes, if you're lines are vector paths, you could adjust the stroke width or use Path - Stroke to Path and then use offsets. If you are talking about bitmap images JPEGs or PNGs then you could use Path - Trace bitmap to make a vector copy and then use the offsets. I have made a video guide to Trace Bitmap if needed.
Thanks for the video. I can offset shapes, but for some unknown reason to me I am unable to create offsets of imported pngs. Think you could help me out?
Offsets only work on paths (and text, but once you offset it, it becomes a path). PNGs are a raster format - image is made of dots, so offsets won't work. Probably the easiest way to create an offset would be to trace around the outline of the image with the Bezier tool, to make a closed path. Then drop it down behind the PNG and offset the path to create your border. How that helps
Hi Audrey, I've now add a couple of videos that you might find helpful:
Paint Bucket Tool Inkscape:
th-cam.com/video/oTzKShUhYa8/w-d-xo.html
Remove the Background and add an Offset to png or jpg Inkscape:
th-cam.com/video/bh_9LmHMZoI/w-d-xo.html
Is there a way to make an offset that stays at a specific thickness regardless of how large or small I scale the original object? I need to put a 6.35mm offset around and within objects. Thanks!
If the original object doesn't have a stoke then you could use a stroke to create a link offset (if you are using strokes within your objects you could use Path - Stoke to Path to convert them into Paths first, as this method will stop all strokes from being scaled with the object). Select your objects then open the Fill and Stroke dialog box, under the Stroke Style tab - set the stroke to twice the width you want (half of the stroke is on the inside and half is on the outside of the path). Set Join to rounded and Order to Stroke,Fill,Marker (middle one on top row). So that should give you the offset, now select the Select and Transform tool ( the arrow at the top of the tool bar on the left) - at the far right of the tool's command bar (at the top) there are 4 buttons that determine how objects scale, the first one is to scale the stroke with the object, if you turn it off, the stroke will stay the same width when you scale the object so your offset should also remain the same width.
Hopefully that will give you the result you want.
Hm thats (not 100%) what I searched but would do the job if it would work. When I press ctrl+( and scroll the mouse wheel it is like zooming in or out. Not workding as you described :-( ctrl+j won´t show up the handle icon.
Another question: I can give a precise distance eg 5px or 1mm something else? Only use scrolling (if worked) Press and hold ctrl+) shrink the obejct but all other ctrl+( or CTR+J do nothing.
On my keyboard '(' is on 9 and ')' is on 0, so try pressing ctrl + 9 and ctrl + 0 to move the offset in and out. Holding down ctrl and using the mouse wheel will just zoom you in and out as you've discovered. If the diamond handle doesn't appear (I think if you are still in one of the drawing tools it won't) you can select the Nodes tool and you will be able to see the handle.
When you are working on a project in Inkscape, your image will have a set export resolution or DPI - how many pixels there are in an inch (Dots Per Inch) the default is 96DPI. So there will be 96 pixels in an inch (25.4mm) so a 1mm offset = 3.78 pixels (96/25.4)
Hi, i try to do this but every i press inset or outset my shape changes. What could be the problem? Thanks in advance
Only the linked offset creates a new shape automatically, if you are using any of the others such as inset/offset you will want to duplicate (Ctrl + D) the shape first and offset that - as it does change the path you are working on.
Hi it's me again 😄 I tried to do this and it's a no go. Everytime I select object then use control + ( or ) all it does is rotate my object around?? Help !
crtl + [ or ] should rotate your object by 90 deg, crtl + 9 or 0 should offset your object.
@@CreateForFree
Oh 🤦😆
Help me please. I have such a problem. When I press Inset or Ctrl + ( the duplicated triangle decreases with sharp corners. And when I press Outset or Ctrl +) the angles are rounded. It looks like a dynamic effect. Why is that? I have Inkscape 1.2
Outsetting moves the path outward by an even number of pixels all round, so all methods eventually round the corners. I've just tried outsetting 'ctrl + )' on my computer in Inkscape 1.2 and on the first few iterations the corners stay sharp then after a while they start to round. If yours isn't doing the same, maybe it's the scale you are working at, or perpaps the steps are set too high [Preferences - Behaviour - steps - Inset/Outset by: ]
Inset moves it in by a set number of pixels so the corners will alway stay sharp.
Hope that helps.
@@CreateForFreeYes. I have the same. On the first few iterations the corners stay sharp then after a while they start to round. Thanks for the clue. I will play with Preferences yet
how to offset an image imported into inkscape ?
The offset feature only works on paths, so you will need to create a path around the outline of the image, depending on the type of image you are importing will determine which methods will be suitable to create the outline - manual tracing, using trace bitmap or possibly the fill tool.
I've included links to a few videos which you may find useful.
This video shows you how to manually trace the outline using the Bezier pen and the nodes tool - well worth watching even if you don't want to use this method.
th-cam.com/video/47h04PW32t4/w-d-xo.html
Learn how to use Trace bitmap - and extremely useful feature in Inkscape and depending on the image, this can make creating an outline very simple.
th-cam.com/video/e9pPdvJu8mg/w-d-xo.html
The Fill tool is another great way to create outlines - This video runs through how to use it to create an outline, remove the background and add offsets.
th-cam.com/video/bh_9LmHMZoI/w-d-xo.html
Just incase its an svg that you are importing you may find this one helpful - shows you how to create a solid background and offset it.
th-cam.com/video/6L9tIxmJxWA/w-d-xo.html
Hope you find these useful.
My linked offset is locked. I've tried to follow all instructions and nothing unlocks that. Any help?
What do you mean by locked? changing to the nodes tool allows you to adjust the original path and the linked offset should follow. It will also make the diamond handle appear if it is not visible. Someone else ask a similar question, so if this doesn't help, let me know.
If you want to move the path and the offsets to a different position together, click off and then drag a box over them all to move them together (all need to be selected to move together - you can select one then hold shift and select the other(s) ). You can move the linked offsets by themselves to different locations, but they remain linked - so if you use the nodes tool to adjust the original path the offsets will copy.
Hope that helps
@@CreateForFree there is a lock icon on “linked offset” but I was still able to use it and it worked fine. It worked so blame it on use error lol thank you for your reply!
Glad to hear you got it working.
I see what you mean with the lock symbol on the menu icon, I changed the icon theme and the lock disappeared so I think it is just part of the linked offset icon design for that theme.
Dynamic offset does not work with Inkscape 1.2.1, nor does linked offset.
They both work on my computer. Make sure the paths are not grouped and the path you want to offset is selected. If the diamond shaped handle doesn't appear, try changing to the nodes tool - that should make it visible
@@CreateForFree After changing to the node tool, the diamond shaped handle appeared. Now both work like a charm. Thank you.
didn't work on complex shapes. just squares and circles. so annoying
Should work on all shaped paths. You do need to make sure that they are not grouped though. I've also found that cap lock can stop the CRL+( or ) from working.
Zanks !!!!
You're welcome