How can I offset the path of an object?

[R C-R]

2 hours ago, firstdefence said:

... you can get offset paths, but this requires the dividing of the shape which seems an unnecessary step.

For me, this requires an extra step: after setting the contour I need to click the "Bake Appearance" button in the context toolbar before using divide. Otherwise, without the bake step I just have a "(Curve)" object instead of the "(Curves)" object that divide can separate into individual "(Curve)" ones.

2 hours ago, firstdefence said:

There is an option to press the Alt key to clone the object and apply the contour but it doesn’t appear to work and doesn’t do anything when you press the alt key and adjust the radius...

That does not work for me either -- with or without alt/option pressed, I can change the radius but no cloning happens with the key depressed.

[ivan.dedos]

8 hours ago, firstdefence said:

In the Mac version of Affinity Designer beta 1.9.0.2 there is a contour tool, it’s a bit odd to use but you can get offset paths, but this requires the dividing of the shape which seems an unnecessary step. There is an option to press the Alt key to clone the object and apply the contour but it doesn’t appear to work and doesn’t do anything when you press the alt key and adjust the radius, maybe I’m not doing it correctly but with no information about this tool just guesswork as to how it functions/should function it a play with it and see what happens affair.

Maybe a brief explanation about how the tool works from the dev would help?

Contour tool Fill: Auto closed (Left Icon)

 

Radius controls distance.

 

After using Fill: Force Open (Middle Icon) and then Geometry: Divide

 great news!!! I'm excited. can I try the beta version? 

[Old Bruce]

51 minutes ago, ivan.dedos said:

 great news!!! I'm excited. can I try the beta version? 

If you own Designer (you need to have the retail to run the beta, it is a separate application so you can use both) go to the beta page to download it.

This is the Mac version:

This is the Windows version:

 

[ivan.dedos]

36 minutes ago, Old Bruce said:

If you own Designer (you need to have the retail to run the beta, it is a separate application so you can use both) go to the beta page to download it.

 

Thank You!!!!!

[amphioxus]

This is great! I just downloaded the beta version (thanks for the link!) and tried it out. Works well in my quick tests. This will be really nice to have...

[ra.skill]

I don’t quite understand the “need to divide object” part but I’m here for this. 
 

Now I’m just waiting for a pattern brush feature before I jump the Adobe boat. 

[ivan.dedos]

First contact, "contour tool" 😵

 

[Poziomka]

+1

[firstdefence]

🤣 "First contact," that’s funny. 😆

[ra.skill]

Looking good 👍🏻

[amphioxus]

I like how one can change the contour radius, and apply it, using the Touch Bar on my MacBook Pro. I rarely use the Touch Bar, but having the slider right there under the screen is actually very useful for this purpose.

[jaedee]

Are there the instructions on how to use the Contour tool (beta)?

[carl123]

 

[GraphicDesigner3]

+1 Would love to be able to offset a path please

[PixelPest]

Works here. Not for you?

[GraphicDesigner3]

2 minutes ago, PixelPest said:

Works here. Not for you?

Ah sorry I didn't fully read everything! Yes working for me. Thank you!