offset function not accurate.

[joserATT]

I'm trying to offset a line and its not measuring to what I'm inputting. EX: I offset a line 2.0"  but when I go to check it, its measuring at 1.9442" 

I made sure my that my "dynamic input where possible" is on and my "polar tracking" is also on. Not sure how to fix this problem. 

[Kent1Cooper]

I don't see the Offset value, nor a not-exactly-2" measurement result.

[joserATT]

I had stated that it was not showing up in the screen recording when I posted the video. It was more just to show how I was offsetting and measuring (because everyone kept asking me how I was doing it) but I can assure you that I typed in 2.0" for the distance and it was measuring at 1.9443. I don't believe I'm doing anything wrong but for some reason I just cannot figure it out. 

[pendean]

---

@joserATT wrote:

...I don't believe I'm doing anything wrong but for some reason I just cannot figure it out. 

---

Turn off all running OSNAPS. Discussed previously in a reply to you. Try it again.

IF still an issue...

Here is how to open a support case with Autodesk if you are on subscription to seek out Autodesk Support's help:
https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/How-to-find-my-sup...

[joserATT]

For whatever reason, it's now working. I did not change any settings. The only thing I did was turn on "dynamic input". thankyou everyone for your help. I am very new to AutoCAD so unfortunately you guys will be hearing from me again. I If there are any good YouTube videos for beginners that you guys recommend, I would appreciate it. 

Thank you.  

[leeminardi · Accepted solution]

I agree that seeing the prompt window would help to understand the possible problem with your procedure.

A careful viewing of your video indicates to me that you are doing the following.

After giving the offset command you are using the default "through" option.  You then select the line and move the cursor around and THEN specify an offset distance.  This often yields a result with a close but wrong value!

Try the following, after giving the offset command immediately specify the distance then select the line and the side to which you would like to offset the line.

[joserATT]

Having the dynamic input box on my cursors seems to help. It now asks me to give a distance and then select an object. And when I go to check the distance, it's now accurate. 

[pendean]

---

@joserATT wrote:

Having the dynamic input box on my cursors seems to help. It now asks me to give a distance and then select an object. And when I go to check the distance, it's now accurate. 

---

Exactly what was stated earlier about having your commandline actually open and on screen so you can see exactly that missing information that you've now discovered to be helpful.

I have to ask, as you so new to the program that all the suggested fixes everyone is sharing with you are just totally baffling? Wish you would have said something earlier, we are all here to help but you have to communicate first.

[leeminardi]

@pendean this was a interesing case of WCGR (what can go wrong).  Many of us were led astray at the begining of the thread with the 3D aspect of the title block.  As is often the case,  a user posting a question does not give complete details as to the process being used.  The video proved invaluable in solving the problem.  

All that aside I do find the behavior of offset a bit baffling.  Try the following.

1. Create a line.  Let's make it 2D to keep things simple. 
2. Give the offset command but ignore the prompt for distance and specify T (through).
3. Select the line and move the cursor with the copy of the line more than 2 from the original line.
4. Enter 2 [Enter]
5. Measure distance between the ends off the 2 lines.

I tried this several time and got an array of different distances but never 2.0000.  There seems to be little correlation between the actual offset and the location of the cursor when a distance value was given but the results was alway close to the input value.