I'm trying to create a design and basically create a border around the entire design that follows the outline of the original design. I've tried using 'linked offset' and also taking the original design, duplicating it and then enlarging it with 'command + )', however, with both options the new, larger design that I would like to use as the border is often distorted (please see attached close-up photo of a star after using linked offset). I'm hoping to avoid spending too much time working to correct the nodes and places that have been distorted.
Any idea how to create a larger version of the original design that can serve as a border without distorting the design? Thanks!
Hi. For a smooth offset I would suggest the Path Effect > Offset or a Dynamic Offset instead of a Linked Offset. There are many videos and tutorials about these additional options.
@ken10001000, just to clarify with 'path effect > offset', I'm not finding that option- Are you referring to 'path > outset'? If so, this is the other method I was trying and still elicited a wonky outcome- Just hoping to clarify if I am missing the 'path effect > offset' option!
Depending on your version of Inkscape the screen may appear a little different than what you see in the video. But the Path Effect > Offset should be accessible
What I am *** not *** refereing to is here ...
It is a good option but not a path effect > offset:
@ken10001000, Yes, the outcome was better/smoother with path effects > offset- Thank you! As an aside, if you have any idea how to easily limit the amount of nodes created please let me know! I'm working on an SVG so, ideally, the fewer the nodes the better- Adding and offset like this usually adds quite few nodes and typically when I try command 'L' to reduce the number of nodes it tends to distort the image too much-
Hi again suggest makind a duplicate prior to making any important chanes.
Under the Path Menu try Simplify on your Path (Ctrl and L).
You can do this repeatedly but it may destroy or greatly alter your desired shape. That is why I suggest making duplicates first snd/or saving your work often.
Also another "trick" can be to save a bitmap copy of your progressive wirk in Inkscape. By pressing Alt and B - under the Edit Menu. Then one could do a Trace Bitmap on your work - under the Path Menu. Sometimes what you create from the Trace Bitmap will result in fewer nodes. This little trick is nice to use on occasion for involved wirk in Injscsoe. Main thing is save often and save to different file names and make duplicates as you experiment. That way you are "covered" with some good recovery steps - if need be - and can play around more. Have a fantastic day.
Side note: Are you using the Star/Polygon Tool when creating your star? You may wish to investigate the options within it to create as simple and node minimizing "star" from it ... as your create your work. Videos and tutorials are available on using it as well. Also Google search for for the keyboard reference for Inkscape as that may save you time when using shortcuts and discovering more options already built into Inkscape.
@ken10001000, Ok, thanks! I've never had much luck with command 'L' as it always seems to heavily distort the design, but I'll go ahead and try the bitmap copy option- Thanks so much for your time and consideration!
Beginners' Questions How create smooth border?
Inkscape.org
Hi there,
I'm trying to create a design and basically create a border around the entire design that follows the outline of the original design. I've tried using 'linked offset' and also taking the original design, duplicating it and then enlarging it with 'command + )', however, with both options the new, larger design that I would like to use as the border is often distorted (please see attached close-up photo of a star after using linked offset). I'm hoping to avoid spending too much time working to correct the nodes and places that have been distorted.
Any idea how to create a larger version of the original design that can serve as a border without distorting the design? Thanks!
Hi. For a smooth offset I would suggest the Path Effect > Offset or a Dynamic Offset instead of a Linked Offset. There are many videos and tutorials about these additional options.
Great- I'll take a look- Thank you!
@ken10001000, just to clarify with 'path effect > offset', I'm not finding that option- Are you referring to 'path > outset'? If so, this is the other method I was trying and still elicited a wonky outcome- Just hoping to clarify if I am missing the 'path effect > offset' option!
Yes ... Path Effect > Offset.
Here is one video.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=9weeHXBbCz4&feature=shares
And see
https://youtube.com/watch?v=vDs2DIzOVlc&feature=shares
And more videos ...
https://www.google.com/search?client=ms-android-verizon&sxsrf=AJOqlzUT1eEic9fJ61a0GKIjN2CR4yf9Kw:1679461558056&q=inkscape+path+effect+offset&tbm=vid&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjrqtPs4e79AhW-EFkFHYbjDDEQ0pQJegQIDRAB&biw=360&bih=560&dpr=2
Depending on your version of Inkscape the screen may appear a little different than what you see in the video. But the Path Effect > Offset should be accessible
What I am *** not *** refereing to is here ...
It is a good option but not a path effect > offset:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=EEboNn601MU&feature=shares
What operating system do you have and what Inkscape version installed?
https://inkscape.org/release/inkscape-1.2.2/
Maybe like so:
@ken10001000, Yes, the outcome was better/smoother with path effects > offset- Thank you! As an aside, if you have any idea how to easily limit the amount of nodes created please let me know! I'm working on an SVG so, ideally, the fewer the nodes the better- Adding and offset like this usually adds quite few nodes and typically when I try command 'L' to reduce the number of nodes it tends to distort the image too much-
Hi again suggest makind a duplicate prior to making any important chanes.
Under the Path Menu try Simplify on your Path (Ctrl and L).
You can do this repeatedly but it may destroy or greatly alter your desired shape. That is why I suggest making duplicates first snd/or saving your work often.
Also another "trick" can be to save a bitmap copy of your progressive wirk in Inkscape. By pressing Alt and B - under the Edit Menu. Then one could do a Trace Bitmap on your work - under the Path Menu. Sometimes what you create from the Trace Bitmap will result in fewer nodes. This little trick is nice to use on occasion for involved wirk in Injscsoe. Main thing is save often and save to different file names and make duplicates as you experiment. That way you are "covered" with some good recovery steps - if need be - and can play around more. Have a fantastic day.
Side note: Are you using the Star/Polygon Tool when creating your star? You may wish to investigate the options within it to create as simple and node minimizing "star" from it ... as your create your work. Videos and tutorials are available on using it as well. Also Google search for for the keyboard reference for Inkscape as that may save you time when using shortcuts and discovering more options already built into Inkscape.
@ken10001000, Ok, thanks! I've never had much luck with command 'L' as it always seems to heavily distort the design, but I'll go ahead and try the bitmap copy option- Thanks so much for your time and consideration!