Hello,
I've been trying all the offsets menu options (to produce the same shape but smaller.) However, every time I do it, depending on which option I choose (inset, outset, dynamic offset) I get a different result and the result is a shape that does not match and usually has random curved lines at some point, i.e. as soon as I drag the point the shape has curves.

I've attached a picture/svg for what I mean.


Additionally, with that answered, is it possible to create the offset in one go (like with Google Sketchup) rather than having to copy/paste the image, create the offset/inset/outset then centre the objects?

tbh, I think it must be a setting somewhere as everything I do (e.g. bucket fill) always seems to produce curves.
Thanks.

sorry, wrong button. see message below.

btw, if I do it the other way round and use offset to make a shape bigger, not smaller, it gets worse:



Maybe it's an option I've set wrong or I'm not using the correct tool. What I want is exactly what sketchup offset does, I want to produce the exact same shape, just smaller so that it has the same gap around the outer shape.

Try this.

Draw your shape.
Call the fill+stroke (shift ctrl L)
Go to the stroke options tab. Set size and join until you get the shape you want.
Menu Path/Stroke to path.


Drawbacks: not dynamic, border grow to the inset and outset

Couldn't get that to work. Someone told me that this was a bug like 6 years ago and nobody fixed it then so there isn't much chance of it being fixed now.

I think maybe this is the wrong software to use for what I want because I want the offset to be be precisely x pixels/mm smaller/larger than another and you cannot do this with the offset tool that I can see.

Surely recreating an exact duplicate and being able to specify how much smaller/bigger an item is, is one of the main purposes of the offset tool?

Well, you could duplicate the object and scale the duplicate. But that doesn't always work, depending on the shape. The Offset commands do usually result in sharp corners being rounded. It's not a bug, to my knowledge; it's just the way the tool works. Same with Paint Bucket tool.

The only way I know to do what you want, is what v1nce suggested. Duplicate the object, remove any fill and add a stroke. Then make the stroke width whatever it needs to be for the larger or smaller size. Then do Path menu > Stroke to Path, and then perhaps a little node editing, to result in only one single path.

And even that's not quite as precise as you might want. If you look very closely (zoom way, way in) you'll see that previously sharp corners might have become slightly rounded. So perhaps you do need a different program? I'm not sure if a CAD program might be better?