Polyline: Offset

Parallel Lines: Drafting Simplified

The new Offset option in the Polyline command enables parallel drafting. Architects and drafters can draw walls, pipes, streets, and other paired-line elements in one step.

Offset While You Draw

Choose Left, Right, or Both, set an Offset distance, and place points as usual. Rhino creates the parallel line in real time, so you do not need to offset or redraw the geometry after the polyline is finished.

Corner Styles Built In

Set corner styles such as Sharp, Round or Smooth, while creating the line. Corners update as segments are added, reducing the cleanup usually needed after offsetting.

Try It

1. Download Rhino 9 WIP for Windows or Mac.
2. Download and open the Try-It-Parallel-Lines.3dm model.
3. Zoom in to the Offset: Left frame.
4. Turn the Point Osnap on.
5. Run the Polyline command.
6. Set the following options in the Command Prompt :
   1. Set Offset to Left.
   2. Set Offset Distance to 0.25.
   3. Set Corner Style to Sharp.
   4. Set Cap to Flat.
   5. Pick the points as shown.
7. Zoom in to the Offset: Right frame and make the Offset Right layer current .
8. Run the Polyline command and set the following options:
   1. Set Offset to Right.
   2. Set Offset Distance to 0.25.
   3. Set Corner Style to Smooth.
   4. Pick the points as shown.
9. Zoom in to the Offset: Both frame and make the Offset Both layer current.
10. Run the Polyline command and set the following options:
    1. Set Offset to Both.
    2. Set Offset Distance to 0.25.
    3. Set Corner Style to Round.
    4. Pick the points as shown.
11. Zoom in to the Offset: All frame and make the Offset All layer current.
12. Run the Polyline command and set the following options.
    1. Set Offset to All.
    2. Set Corner Style to Round.
    3. Pick the points as shown.
13. Zoom in to the Floor Plan frame and make the Walls layer active.
14. Run the Polyline command and set the following options:
    1. Set Offset to Right.
    2. Set Offset Distance to 0.1.
    3. Set Corner Style to Sharp.
    4. Set Cap to Flat.
    5. Pick the points as shown.
15. Turn off the Image and Points layers.
16. Use Trim to complete any additional cleanup.
17. Try it on your own! Experiment with the different Offset, Corner Style, Offset Distance, and Cap options to create your own parallel-line conditions.
18. Share comments and feedback on the Rhino Forum.

Rhino Commands

• Layout
• Detail
• SetDetailBorder