If you’re unsure which version of Inkscape you’re using, navigate to: However, in order to gain access to this feature you must have Inkscape version 1.0 or later installed. This new path effect improves offsetting in Inkscape because it now lets you retain sharp corners if you want. One of which would be the new offset path effect, which I touched on briefly in my post outlining some of the best new features. In the spring of 2020 Inkscape released version 1.0, which came packed with lots of new features and improvements. Offset a path with the Offset path effect To offset a path in Inkscape with sharp corners, continue on to the next method. The downside, however, is that it forces the corners of an offset to become rounded, which can be problematic depending on the type of design you’re creating. The benefit of using the Dynamic Offset tool is that it’s easy to access and minimally interrupts your workflow. To do so, make sure it’s selected and go to: Once you are finished, you can finalize the changes by converting the offset back into a path. Simply click and drag on that node to offset the path.ĭragging the node down will decrease the offset, whereas dragging it upward will increase the offset: Once activated, you should notice a little node appear at the top of your object: Clicking and dragging this handle will allow you to offset your path. To access it, select the object that you’d like to offset and navigate to:Īlternatively, you can access this tool a little more easily by simply using the keyboard shortcut for it, which is Control + J. One way in which you can offset a path in Inkscape is by using the Dynamic Offset tool. Offset a path with the Offset path effect Offset a path with the Dynamic Offset feature.Offset a path with the Dynamic Offset feature.Two Methods For Path Offsetting In Inkscape: The following video tutorial will quickly walk you through how to use each of these features:Ĭontinue on for the written instructions. By using the new Offset Path Effect that was introduced in version 1.0 and above: this new path effect offers more control over the offset, allowing you to create sharp (or “miter” as they’re called) corners, but the downside is that it’s obscured within the Path Effects menu and cannot be accessed as quickly.By using the Dynamic Offset feature: this is a quick and simple feature that can be accessed with only a keyboard shortcut ( Control + J), but the downside is that it forces the corners of the offset to become rounded.There’s two ways to offset a path in Inkscape:

How to offset text in inkscape