How to draw a curve exactly paralell to another curve?

[Ejko]

Hello,

I am using CorelDraw 11 and am often in following situation:

I have a closed irregular curve and need to draw an another curve. The new curve is to look like an "envelope" of the old curve, i. e. the old curve is to be "inside" the new curve. Every single point of the new curve is to be in exact same distance from the respective point of the old curve.

I am using following method (see the picture in attachment):
1. Draw the "inner" curve
2. Temporary set the linewidth of the "inner" curve to double of the needed distance of the "outer" curve
3. Draw the "outer" curve following the outer edge of the bold line of the "inner" curve.
4. Reset the linewidth of the "inner" curve.

While this works, the result is not perfect and it costs relatively much time.

Does anyone have a better idea?

Thanks in advance

Ejko

[sallybode]

You can also use the contour tool to do this.

[Ejko]

Yes, that was it. Thank you, you have saved me much time and effort.

[sallybode]

Another handy thing to know is that when using the envelope tool to bend type, you can constrain the curve on the bottom and the top to be the same by holding down the ctrl key. Very useful.