"Can't offset that object"

[sarra.cenia]

I'm having trouble offsetting some objects -- one minute the object will allow offsets, the next minute I get the message "can't offset that object."  I then have to redraw (and redraw...) the object until it eventually works (or not).

Anyone had this problem and have any solution?

[maxim_k]

HI,

What kind of objects you try to offset? Is it Polyline, Spline or ...

And what do you mean by "redraw" object? Do you draw it from scratch?

Maxim

[sarra.cenia]

Thanks for your reply.

The most recent object that I was trying to offset was a polyline drawn with arc segments (~S-shaped polyline).  I haven't had trouble with splines.

Yes, by redraw I mean redrawing the object from scratch.

[maxim_k]

OK,

If you (sorry, AutoCAD) can not offset polyline - please check at first that this polyline doesn't have zero-length segments, i.e. each vertex pair connected with non-zero length segment.

Maxim

[sarra.cenia]

Hi Maxim,

Thanks for your reply.  Can you give me more information on how I can tell if the polyline has zero-length segments?

Sarah

[maxim_k · Accepted solution]

Select polyline and walk trough the vertexes in Properties Inspector:

when you will see that after you change vertex number the white cross marker doesn't move - then it is the place of zero-length segment.

Maxim

[sarra.cenia]

Thanks for the clarification.  

I have checked and there are no zero-length vertices in the object.

Some more observations about this situation --

I can offset the polyline on one side but not the other

I tried copying and pasting the polyline into a new file and it will offset

[margie_lo]

I've had this same problem with offsetting polylines.  AutoCAD will not allow me to offset certain polylines.  When I try, it gives me the circle-slash symbol.  Have you had any luck finding a solution?  

[maxim_k]

I also have such issue sometimes, but despite the fact that AutoCAD shows prohibitory sign, it offsets polyline anyway.

Maxim

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

I just found a solution to your problem... first explode the polyline, then offset them one by one, then use the BO (Boundry Creation) command to convert them back to polylines... worked like a charm for me, I'm sure it'll work for you too!

[renee.l.vaughn · Accepted solution]

I used the "overkill" command. It deleted some segments and after that I was able to offset the polyline.

[3dwannab]

Nice, thanks. Working solution. 10 years in AutoCAD and never experienced this.

[scottbolton]

Thanks for the "OVERKILL" tip.

[Anonymous]

Use command:- "OVERKILL" on the polyline.

[cam01096]

Did anyone ever figure out a way to sort this? Not sure what to do with the overkill command, Autodesk's knowledge centre recommends flattening the polyline (which doesn't work for me), so I'm still unable to even do this basic command.

Using AutoCAD 2014 for Windows.

[maxim_k]

Hi,

Could you describe in more details what kind of troubles do you have? Please attach drawing file if possible.

Maxim

[ceethreedee.com]

Overkill command is the business!!!

[Mammothx]

Forgive me for resurrecting the dead but I found another solution.

In my case there wasn't anything wrong with the polyline; it just had too much concavity for the offset distance I wanted. The solution that worked for me was first offset it by the largest value I could get that wouldn't kick back an error. Then offset the offset by the remainder to get it the total offset distance. Testing this with different sets of offset distances gave the the same result.

[f_fariborzi]

I had the same problem and i solved it this way; highlight the line/ open properties/ change vertex 'X' and 'Y' to '0'. then offset. (It worked for me).

[jlavoieQKYXY]

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@Mammothx wrote:

Forgive me for resurrecting the dead but I found another solution.

In my case there wasn't anything wrong with the polyline; it just had too much concavity for the offset distance I wanted. The solution that worked for me was first offset it by the largest value I could get that wouldn't kick back an error. Then offset the offset by the remainder to get it the total offset distance. Testing this with different sets of offset distances gave the the same result.

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Thank you. This worked 100%, I was trying to offset a line 1000m, no go. So like you suggested I tried a shorter distance, 100m. It worked!! So I just offset the line 10 times. 🙂 DONE!

ps. you da man!