Offset path function?

[Needleswift]

I'm using Affinity Designer to design sewing patterns, having previously used Illustrator. So far I'm in love and it's doing *almost* everything I need it do. However, I need to be able to add seam allowances - basically an offset path around my pattern pieces. Any suggestions how to do this, or is there a feature I'm missing?

Thanks

[Alfred]

Here’s one possibility:

 

[Lee D]

Hi Needleswift,

Welcome to the forums.

We don't have an offset tool yet, however another user has created a tutorial to follow in creating offset paths in Designer, see their post here.

[Needleswift]

Thanks Alfred, I did kind of get to that point this afternoon after playing around but I didn't try to divide it so will give it a try tomorrow as I need to be able to get rid of the inner path once I've added the seam allowance. The main thing I'm not sure if it will help is that I need to be able to specify a size in millimetres - it needs to be so precise, which is a little different to just creating an aesthetically nice distance. Thanks again, appreciated!

 

[Needleswift]

4 hours ago, Lee D said:

Hi Needleswift,

Welcome to the forums.

We don't have an offset tool yet, however another user has created a tutorial to follow in creating offset paths in Designer, see their post here.

Thanks for your reply Lee. I had actually come across that tutorial today via a Google search. I'm not sure if it's quite the fix I need though. I need to be able to specify exactly how far (in milimetres) the offset distance is. Maybe I just need to play around with it some more. I literally just downloaded the software yesterday but I was so excited at how great it is that this little setback has taken the shine of my excitement! 

[toltec]

33 minutes ago, Needleswift said:

Thanks for your reply Lee. I had actually come across that tutorial today via a Google search. I'm not sure if it's quite the fix I need though. I need to be able to specify exactly how far (in milimetres) the offset distance is. 

You can do that, if you create a path around the outside as Alfred suggested. Set the thickness of the outside line to, say 6 mm (you can enter 6 mm in the points box, Designer will translate.) then Expand Stroke.

Result a 6 mm offset path 

In preferences, it is also possible to set it so that lines are always in mm, (actually document units). not points which might make it easier ?

[Needleswift]

Thanks for the tip! Feeling positive that I can get to grips with all of this tomorrow!

 

[Needleswift]

Thanks for all your help yesterday guys. Worked a treat.