MapInfo Pro

MapInfo Pro includes a couple of tools that can offset an existing object or create parallels from it.

One thing I have often missed is the ability to offset, in this specific case, a (poly)line multiple times. The Offset function offsets the existing objects and doesn't create a copy, so it can't create multiple offset copies.

It seems that creating multiple copies is not a wish I was alone with. @Dag Hallén had a similar request, which he asked about in this discussion. So, I built this into DrawTools.

Making Multiple Offset Copies

I use this quite frequently when I'm creating drawings for my house. For example, when I create measurement lines.

Here's an example.

First, I draw a line that follows the existing wall from one wall to another. Then I select this new line.

Now, I draw a line representing the direction and distance that I want to use when creating the offset copies.

I use snap to snap to the existing wall in my drawing to make sure I get the right distance and/or direction.

I can enter the number of copies I want to create, and I can change the distance and/or the direction that I specified when I drew the line. Often it's necessary to change one or the other. Typically, you want to specify a distance that is different from the line you drew, especially if you snap to existing lines.

The result can be seen below.

Now I can modify these lines further to show the measurements for the specific wall in my house.

Another example where offsetting one line multiple times is when you want to create a grid. Below is an example of grid lines created with Create Offset Copies.

Where would you use the Create Offset Copies function?

Hi Peter

What is the current version of DrawTools?

The MarketPlace indicates 2.0.3.0 and last published Dec 12,2018  - which I suspect is incorrect.

MapInfo Pro includes a couple of tools that can offset an existing object or create parallels from it.

One thing I have often missed is the ability to offset, in this specific case, a (poly)line multiple times. The Offset function offsets the existing objects and doesn't create a copy, so it can't create multiple offset copies.

It seems that creating multiple copies is not a wish I was alone with. @Dag Hallén had a similar request, which he asked about in this discussion. So, I built this into DrawTools.

Making Multiple Offset Copies

I use this quite frequently when I'm creating drawings for my house. For example, when I create measurement lines.

Here's an example.

First, I draw a line that follows the existing wall from one wall to another. Then I select this new line.

Now, I draw a line representing the direction and distance that I want to use when creating the offset copies.

I use snap to snap to the existing wall in my drawing to make sure I get the right distance and/or direction.

I can enter the number of copies I want to create, and I can change the distance and/or the direction that I specified when I drew the line. Often it's necessary to change one or the other. Typically, you want to specify a distance that is different from the line you drew, especially if you snap to existing lines.

The result can be seen below.

Now I can modify these lines further to show the measurements for the specific wall in my house.

Another example where offsetting one line multiple times is when you want to create a grid. Below is an example of grid lines created with Create Offset Copies.

Where would you use the Create Offset Copies function?