Hello. I'm using inkscape to create a cutting path for PlasmaCam (CNC plasma cutter) to make a somewhat simple tool. The best way to imagine this is a simple outline of an object (like a large carving knife, as a random example) with voids cut out to reduce weight.
I need the inner paths to be equidistant from the edge of the outside path (and from the other holes, since I can't just cut one giant hole as that shape would be too flimsy). If I can make one large "hole" path inside the outer path, I'm confident I can split it up into several holes, but the issue is you simply can't scale the outer hole to make an inner hole. The only way I can currently figure how to do this is to make a raster of the outside path with a very thick line then vectorize it, which is less than ideal.
I'll put it this way, in your example I need a path tracing the inside of the outer path but a set distance from that path. If the shape is not an extremely simple shape you can't just take the existing path and shrink it.
Beginners' Questions Cutting out holes (paths) of even width
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Hello. I'm using inkscape to create a cutting path for PlasmaCam (CNC plasma cutter) to make a somewhat simple tool. The best way to imagine this is a simple outline of an object (like a large carving knife, as a random example) with voids cut out to reduce weight.
I need the inner paths to be equidistant from the edge of the outside path (and from the other holes, since I can't just cut one giant hole as that shape would be too flimsy). If I can make one large "hole" path inside the outer path, I'm confident I can split it up into several holes, but the issue is you simply can't scale the outer hole to make an inner hole. The only way I can currently figure how to do this is to make a raster of the outside path with a very thick line then vectorize it, which is less than ideal.
Any suggestions?
Maybe this (fast & dirty):
For greater precision I'd probably use CAD.
When I say holes I don't mean perfectly circular manholes
I'll put it this way, in your example I need a path tracing the inside of the outer path but a set distance from that path. If the shape is not an extremely simple shape you can't just take the existing path and shrink it.
"Speed holes" 😎
Path>inset
http://tavmjong.free.fr/INKSCAPE/MANUAL/html/Paths-Editing.html#Paths-Offsets
Ah, thanks. I was sure I was missing something obvious. I'll try this tomorrow!
Some more suggestions.
Just a small addition to Paddy_CAD´s solution: Inkscape can generate perspective circles from points:
Turned out to be rather trivial
[img]https://i.ibb.co/T0S2jzf/Screen-Shot-2021-09-28-at-12-41-15-PM.png[/img][/url]
I tried uploading the file but it didn't work so I had to use a 3rd party.