User Guide

Canvas 12 User Guide
The Effects | Remove Effects command will not remove perspective effects that have been
applied to objects.
Offsetting paths
Use the Offset Path command to create new objects that follow the path of a vector object.
Composite objects created by the Concentric Circles, Spiral, Cube, Gridmaker, or Multigon
tools cannot be offset.
An offset object’s path follows the inside or outside of the original object’s path. Specify the offset
distance and the number of objects to create. You can offset one vector object at a time.
To offset an object:
1. Select a vector object and choose Effects | Offset Path.
2. In the Offset Path dialog box, type the offset distance in the Distance box. In the Copies box,
type the number of copies to make.
3. Click OK to create the offset objects.
Canvas applies the current inks and stroke to offset objects (see "Inks: colors & patterns" on page
223 and "Strokes: outline effects" on page 257). The new objects appear in front of the original if
they are smaller; otherwise, they appear behind it.
The direction of the offset depends on whether you type a positive or negative Distance value.
When you offset an object that has an open path, type a negative value to offset the new object to the
inside of the curve. Type a positive value to offset the new object to the outside of the curve.
When you offset an object that has a closed path, type a negative number to offset the new object to
the inside of the original path. Type a positive number to offset the new object to the outside of the
original path.
An offset object can differ in shape from the original object, if a large offset distance makes the path
cross itself to follow narrow angles or tight curves of the original object.
Using clipping paths
A clipping path is a special object that creates a frame or window on an object. You can use text
objects and vector objects as clipping paths.
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