How to create a zigzag path

[AndreaThomas]

Hello, I need to create quite a few zigzag paths for the type of work I do. They need to be positioned fairly precisely so using a path I can manipulate would work a lot better for me than having to draw as accurately with a brush tool. Can someone advise how I could create a path like the one shown in the example (the line to the left, not the dashed line on the right). Any help would be much appreciated! I'm currently copy/pasting in a zigzag symbol I made but having to rotate each one when it goes around a curved area, which is incredibly time consuming! [Edited to add a second picture to show potential curves it would have to be drawn around - See the dashed line in the 2nd photo, that will be a zigzag in the finished version]

[GarryP]

One quick way to make a simple zig-zag is shown in my video.
There will probably be others, some probably better than this.

One problem with this is that it won’t work on a curved curve.
However, you might be able to use a Warp Group, but that could be tricky.

It might be good if you can tell us how you expect to get them “positioned fairly precisely” as that might be important to the process to use.

It would also be useful if you can give us an idea of what sort of thing you will be using the zig-zag on so we can see the level of complexity of what you are trying to do (make sure we know where you want the zig-zag to be and not be).

[v_kyr]

See also related ...

... etc.

[AndreaThomas]

@GarryP Thank you for this but not quite what I'll need. I had actually come across your video while searching but my lines will be to curvy for this method. I've attached an extra image to my original post to help explain. I appreciate the very quick help though! Thank you

[AndreaThomas]

@v_kyr Thank you, the 2nd one isn't what I'm looking for (it's seems more of a boundary edge effect) but the 1st example is very close and I'm reading through the link within it now. Hopefully it's what I need! Thank you.

[GarryP]

Thanks for the extra image, that makes the problem much easier to visualise.

The brush solution sounds like the best one to start with to me.
It looks like someone else was trying something similar a while back: https://forum.affinity.serif.com/index.php?/topic/140737-fill-around-shape-of-brushes/&do=findComment&comment=777366 (their brushes look like what you need).