topic Re: Offset command multiple option in AutoCAD Forum

Offset command multiple option

Anonymous — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 13:50:37 GMT

Hi,

I am trying to use the offset command multiple option. I am getting strange results, does anyone know why?

I use the offset command, use multiple option, I type 1 then 4. The first line is offset .3335 and the second is 2.83. I have no idea where these numbers are coming from. I attached a jpg of the command line and the result. What am i doing wrong?

Any help would be awesome!

Robert

Re: Offset command multiple option

pendean — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 14:02:20 GMT

Why are you dimensioning and not using DIST command to confirm the actual distance? There is a chance your DIMSTYLE settings are off for the space you are dimensioning in.

OR... share with us your actual DWG file that you got that screenshot from please.

Re: Offset command multiple option

Anonymous — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 14:34:06 GMT

Hi Pen,

Thanks for response 🙂 I checked the distance and the dims are correct. Another odd thing is everytime i try this i get different results, the error is not consistent. I can't seem to get a good offset using the multiple option.

Thanks!!

Re: Offset command multiple option

Kent1Cooper — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 15:00:55 GMT

@pendean wrote:
... dimensioning .... There is a chance your DIMSTYLE settings are off for the space you are dimensioning in.
....

I doubt that's the issue, because presumably such a result should be from either:

1) a DIMLFAC setting other than 1, or;

2) Dimensioning in a different UCS from that of the dimensioned objects.

In either case I would at least expect the ratio of their intent to their result to be the same for both Offsets, but they're very far from the same. But maybe you're aware of another kind of setting that could result in what they're seeing.

[By the way, I haven't been able to reproduce that kind of result. I wondered about ORTHO being off as a cause, but that doesn't do it for me. So I agree -- a sample drawing that demonstrates this behavior would be helpful, if only to narrow down whether it's a problem with the drawing file or with their AutoCAD.]

Re: Offset command multiple option

Anonymous — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 15:19:31 GMT

Hi,

I attached the drawing. The offset command works fine as long as I don't try using the multiple option. Maybe the procedure I'm using is wrong I attached it in the dwg.

Thanks,

Robert

Re: Offset command multiple option

GrantsPirate — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 15:27:51 GMT

I can reproduce this following your example. But instead of hitting return to accept the Through option, type in 1, then when you can use the multiple option and it will work as expected.

Re: Offset command multiple option

Kent1Cooper — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 16:53:42 GMT

@GrantsPirate wrote:

.... instead of hitting return to accept the Through option, type in 1, then when you can use the multiple option and it will work as expected.

When you type in a distance, you don't get the Multiple option displayed in the prompt. Yes, it lets you Offset multiple objects, but separately selected [whether the same one repeatedly or separate objects], and all at the same distance. EDIT: no Multiple option immediately after entering the distance, but one more step in [after selecting the object] you do get the Multiple option, but it does all at the same distance from the previous result [in that direction -- you can go both ways].

I think they're using the Through option with Multiple sub-option in order to get the same object [selected only once] Offset at various different distances. @Anonymous , is that the case?

Re: Offset command multiple option

Kent1Cooper — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 16:56:50 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

.... I attached the drawing. ....

It works as expected for me [Acad2019] in your drawing. Might your Offset command possibly have been UNDEFINEd, and you have a differently-defined replacement Offset command?

Re: Offset command multiple option

RobDraw — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 16:51:01 GMT

The only way I can get this to work with the through option and varying distances is to use OSnap tracking.

Re: Offset command multiple option

Anonymous — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 16:52:26 GMT

Hi,

thanks so much for looking into this. But if i set offset to 1 then I get multiple offsets at 1 inch (like array). I need to offset a line at 1" and another at 4" using the multiple option in the offset command. This is a autocad exam question I stated the exact procedure that gives me a correct answer on the test, it just does not work for me in my acad.

guess its a glitch or i am still missing something.

Take care,

Robert

Re: Offset command multiple option

RobDraw — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 16:54:37 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
i am still missing something.

Please see the post before your last one.

Re: Offset command multiple option

Kent1Cooper — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 17:06:40 GMT

In case it gets you around the problem, you might be interested in OffsetRunningOptions.lsp, available >here<. It lets you change the Offset distance in the middle of an Offset command, rather than having to end the command and start it again to set a new distance. [It does what I wondered about before -- Undefines the native Offset command and makes its own new definition, which is why the result doesn't have all the current possibilities -- it was written under an older version that didn't have as many options in native Offset.] But it's not a perfect solution for what you're trying to do -- you would still need to select your original object again for each new distance.

Re: Offset command multiple option

Anonymous — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 17:31:11 GMT

Ok here is the correct answer to the test question. Can anyone make it work and if so what am I missing.

Re: Offset command multiple option

RobDraw — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 17:38:27 GMT

That "correct" answer does not work for me unless I use Object Snap Tracking as stated before.

Re: Offset command multiple option

Anonymous — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 17:43:11 GMT

me to

Re: Offset command multiple option

Kent1Cooper — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 17:52:05 GMT

That correct answer does work just right for me, without Object Snap Tracking on, with the one meaningless difference that the last-mentioned Enter gets the <next object> default and puts me back to the select-object prompt, and it takes one more Enter to end the command.

Re: Offset command multiple option

GrantsPirate — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 17:57:51 GMT

With through I keep getting the same error. It is because the through option is using the location of the cursor to define the distance. I think a better way is to use MULTIPLE first, then OFFSET. See video attached

https://autode.sk/2R3QQTx

Re: Offset command multiple option

RobDraw — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 18:00:44 GMT

Yes, that does work for me, too.

It still makes the "correct" answer incomplete though.

Re: Offset command multiple option

RobDraw — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 18:10:54 GMT

Now, I am confused. I thought it was working as @Kent1Cooper described but it is not working anymore. Maybe I was too precise with my cursor.

Object Snap Tracking does work, though, but I am so used to using it, it is second nature to me.

Re: Offset command multiple option

Kent1Cooper — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 18:33:16 GMT

@GrantsPirate wrote:

... the through option is using the location of the cursor to define the distance. ....

Only when you pick with the mouse. In the procedure laid out, the cursor location determines only the direction from the source object [to which side] where the result will go, but the typed number is the distance [at least, for me].