How to make a 1/4" Outline Around Object Using Inkscape?

[kmmcrafts]

I am making a clock for a customer and they want me to make it from thin oak stock and glue to a thicker walnut backer. I have the design saved in inkscape where I made the pattern from sample photo below. This pattern will be cut from the thin stock.. I need to make this same design as a backer but maybe 1/8 - 1/4 larger as a outline. Is there a way to do this within inkscape? My normal method is to take a washer and trace around the project after I cut it.. but this leaves more rounded edges etc.. I'm sure there must be a easy way to do this within inkscape?

Thanks for any tips and suggestions or even a link to a video,

[barb.j.enders]

I haven't really used Inscape at all but I do recall seeing a quick video from Steve Good about making an offset/layered pattern that I think might help.

[Scrappile]

Couldn't you take your pattern, enlarge it just a little and use that... Just cut the perimeter of the enlarged one...? 

[kmmcrafts]

1 hour ago, barb.j.enders said:

I haven't really used Inscape at all but I do recall seeing a quick video from Steve Good about making an offset/layered pattern that I think might help.

Thanks I'll check and see if I can find it.

[kmmcrafts]

29 minutes ago, Scrappile said:

Couldn't you take your pattern, enlarge it just a little and use that... Just cut the perimeter of the enlarged one...? 

Yes I can, I just was curious on how to do this within the drawing programs.. These are methods I have done before like resizing the pattern and using a flat washer and just drawing in on the wood running the pen / pencil in the center of the washer. That method works well. 

Trying to learn this software stuff because you can't cheat like that with a CNC or laser.. so as I run across things I don't know how to do.. that I normally cheat on with a scroll saw.. I like to try and learn the software way if that makes any sense, LOL.  Who knew I'd have to learn these software drawing programs with a CNC should have warned me, Hahaha.. Good thing the CNC/Laser work isn't really a part of my business yet and I'm just hobby / playing with them.. So this current order I can cheat if needed and just resize the pattern..

[kmmcrafts]

Well, I wasn't able to find the Steve Good youtube video of this.. at least with using inkscape.. I did see a video of something similar using Corel Draw.. I used to have Corel but no longer do. If anyone knows of a video or how it's done I still could use the info.. I did go ahead and resized the image so I could finish up this order but still want to know how it's done. 

Thanks,

[Dave Monk]

I would go to stroke, stroke style, in the drop down pick inch. make the stroke any size you want.  If that doesn't do what you want let me know.

[don in brooklin on]

If I understand this I would do in inkscape.  I would duplicate, and use the path effects, offsett.  Make sure you to use mitre and set size.

I did just a quicky and this is what I got.  If not please give direction.

The test needs some work to weld to box etc,

 

Edited May 6, 2021 by don in brooklin on

[kmmcrafts]

Thanks Don, I messed with this just now and I guess I'm going to have to do some experimenting or I'm doing it wrong. You have me in the right direction though. New part of inkscape to mess with that I haven't seen before, LOL 

[don in brooklin on]

To use the path effect with the offset feature you  have inkscape 1.0

The offset is explained quite well in this video https://youtu.be/jasNo_qF6Y4

Long video but the offset explained at Offset LPE - 36:16

There are lots of videos on this subject

 

 

[kmmcrafts]

Thank you Don, I'll watch the video and maybe also search out more videos on the topic, now that I know it's done with the "Offset" feature.. I appreciate you taking the time to help me learn this.. I had no idea where to start, LOL.. Many times I can search YouTube etc. for help but I didn't even know what to search for, LOL

[jollyred]

I am still using the older Inkscape, so I don't know if this is in 1.0, but under Path, there is a command called "outset".  If you duplicate the outline, it can be outset a predetermined amount, say 1/4".  Setting the distance is done in preferences, under Edit.  In preferences, look for "steps".  This is where you set the distance.

If you want to make the outline smaller, do the same thing with the command "inset".

Tom

[kmmcrafts]

Thanks Tom, I'm not really sure what version of inkscape I have to be honest.. It's quite old so maybe this is why I was having some trouble with Dons method.. Hmm.. I guess I better look into the version I have and look into how you mentioned doing this.. 

Thank you

[don in brooklin on]

Tom is right about using the offset for the older version.  I think the default is 2 pt .  I have mine changed to 12 pt(1/8 of inch) and so for 1/4 inch do twice. See screen shot for editing preference/behavior

The end pattern is almost the same.  The yellow sample was using the offset command twice and the green using the new path effects/offset in version 1.0

Version 1.0 will let you change the offset in live preview and do a few other things like round the edges etc.

I am only a hacker at Inkscape so I love questions like this as I learn.

 

[kmmcrafts]

Hmm, I think I need to update to the newest version, I played around yesterday but I thought it wasn't working as there was no "visible" changes happening so I thought I was doing it wrong. What I did end up doing was using the fill and stroke function under stroke style to make my outline thicker. Wasn't perfect but I was able to toy with it to make it work for what I needed. Maybe this weekend I'll download the latest version and mess around with it some more. Hopefully the new version they don't move everything around on me.. Took me years to learn to maneuver the one I have, LOL The one I'm using is 0.92 currently.

Anyway, appreciate everyone helping.