Adding Offset Paths

When the tool is hovered close to or over an art object that can accept an AG Offset effect (but does not currently have one), it will automatically preview the offset as it would generally appear using the current panel parameters. The art does not need to be selected. The type of preview depends on the tool preference settings; the default preview is a full one, showing a complete trace of each offset path in the specified color (red by default, but can be changed). Previews are based on the shape of the base artwork, and will not reflect any existing live effects that might change that shape.

AG Offset Tool Preview

By default, annotated text by the cursor will show the offset’s distance (abbreviated as “D:”, or “DT:” if the Total parameter is enabled) and the step count. Easing, if enabled, will also be indicated. These annotations can be temporarily hidden by holding down the Option/Alt key. Clicking will add the offset effect to the art object (always placing the live effect below all strokes and fills in the object’s appearance), or the offset can be dragged first to adjust it in the same way an existing offset would be edited (see Editing Existing Offsets).

AG Offset Tool Click Apply

By default, the AG Offset tool creates previews of shadows for any artwork it is over, selected or not,
so care should be taken not to pass it inadvertently over unlocked artwork with high numbers of path segments, such as large blocks of text or objects with expanded Phantasm Halftone or Stipple effects, because calculating the offsets for these objects can take some time. In addition to keeping such art on locked layers, the preference Operate On Selected Objects Only limits the hover preview to selected objects only (see AG Offset: Preferences). If the AG Offset cursor is passed over an unlocked text object containing many characters, a warning dialog will be displayed:

AG Offset Lengthy Text Object Warning

Click Abort unless you are sure you want to put the effect on the text object and are prepared to wait.