OFFSET (Command)

Creates a parallel copy of an entity at a specified distance or through a given point. Works with lines, arcs, circles, and polylines.

Quick start

Toolbar > Edit > Offset, or type OFFSET in the Command Panel

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Prompts

Prompt	Description
Specify offset distance	Enter the offset distance (or choose a keyword)
Select object to offset	Pick the entity to offset
Specify point on side to offset	Click the side where the offset copy should be placed

Keywords

Keyword	When available	Description
Through	At distance prompt	Offset through a picked point instead of by distance
Erase	At distance prompt	Toggle whether to erase the source entity after offsetting
Layer	At distance prompt	Choose whether offset goes on Current or Source layer

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How to Use (By Distance)

Command: OFFSET
Specify offset distance [Through/Erase/Layer] <10>: 5
Select object to offset: (click a line/arc/circle/polyline)
Specify point on side to offset: (click the side)
Select object to offset: (continue or Escape to exit)

The command repeats — you can offset multiple entities at the same distance without re-entering it.

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How to Use (Through Point)

Command: OFFSET
Specify offset distance [Through/Erase/Layer] <10>: Through
Select object to offset: (click an entity)
Specify point on side to offset: (click the point the offset should pass through)

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Erase Option

Toggle automatic deletion of the source entity after offsetting:

Command: OFFSET
Specify offset distance [Through/Erase/Layer] <10>: Erase
Erase source object after offsetting? [Yes/No] <No>: Yes

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Layer Option

Choose which layer the offset entity is created on:

Command: OFFSET
Specify offset distance [Through/Erase/Layer] <10>: Layer
Enter layer option for offset objects [Current/Source] <Current>: Source

Option	Result
Current	Offset placed on the active layer
Source	Offset placed on the same layer as the original entity

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Supported Entities

• Line
• Arc
• Circle
• Polyline

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Best Practices

Practice	Benefit
Use Through for precise alignment	Offset passes exactly through a known point
Use consistent offset distances	Uniform wall thicknesses, parallel features
Use Erase for construction cleanup	Removes source automatically
Snap to geometry for Through point	Precise offset positioning

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Quick Reference

Task	Input
Offset by distance	OFFSET → distance → pick entity → pick side
Offset through point	OFFSET → Through → pick entity → pick point
Erase source after offset	OFFSET → Erase → Yes
Set offset layer	OFFSET → Layer → Current or Source

See also: Copy Command | Move Command | Trim Command