Preserve distance between parallel diagonal lines

[torres997]

Hi,

I'm doing a project where I have a basic grid with a spacing of 2px. Then I have 3 parallel horizontal lines (made with the pen tool) separated between them a distance of 2px, as they are snapped to the grid.

My problem is: I want now these 3 lines to continue diagonally (45º), but preserving the distance of 2px between them, and I don't know how to do it!

Any suggestions?

In Adobe Illustrator you have to do first the whole route with only one line (for example, the purple one), and then only the horizontal parts of the other ones. Then, you have to create two diagonal lines (one blue and one red) over the diagonal part of the purple one, and then move them -45º 2px and 4px respectively. Finally, you have to select the horizontal and the diagonal part of the blue line and, with a tool called "Join tool", join them (then the same for the red one). I don't know if in Affinity Designer it's the same protocol, but if it's, I don't know how to proceed.

Thanks in advance.

Edited February 12, 2020 by torres997

[Dan C]

Hi torres997,

Welcome to the forums

Unfortunately, as Affinity Designer doesn't currently have an offset tool so this will have to be done manually. We hope to include an offset tool in a future update but we have no timescale for this currently, my apologies.

In the meantime there are a few options here, firstly you can use a 'donor' object to measure the gap between your strokes, then rotate this by 45deg and use it to align the angled section of the curve.
Another option is to use the Appearance panel to give 1 curve object multiple strokes to create a sudo version of the design, as this will ensure the curve always keeps the same distance between the 'strokes'. I've attached a sample .afdesign file showing both these options below - I hope this helps!

45deg.afdesign 

[GarryP]

You can do this by manipulating your grid but it’s a bit messy.
See attached GIF where the red lines are the same length and the movement of the end nodes is done using the SHIFT key to move them along the horizontal while snapping to the grid.
Like I said, messy, but it gets the job done, up to a point.

[torres997]

Thank you both for the 3 ideas you have given me!

The first one (using a "donor" object) doesn't work to me, because it's not accurate enough. The second one ("multiple strokes" method) is a good idea, but doesn't fit to me either, as every line has to be of a different color. Finally I've decided to use the third method (oblique grid), because it's accurate and easy to carry out. Changing temporarily to a oblique grid and moving the axis handle from the artboard corner to the vertex of one line (the red one in my case) seems to me the best option and the easier one. Then, when I have lined up the diagonal sections of the blue/green line to the oblique grid, I turn back to the standard grid and continue editing. It's fantastic!

Once more, thank you guys for the suggestions!

Edited February 12, 2020 by torres997

[GarryP]

You're welcome.