Grasshopper: Mastering Curve Offset Direction

Welcome to the first of many Grasshopper tutorial videos! In this one, I talk about how to use the Offset function and consistently control the direction of your output curve. Initially created as a guide in my notes, I decided to share this knowledge with fellow Grasshopper enthusiasts. For those who prefer a written guide, check out my blog post here: [www.oscar3dm.c...](www.oscar3dm.c...)
I'd love to hear your thoughts on other topics or questions related to 3D modeling, automation, or rendering that you'd like me to explore. My goal is to create more content around the work I'm passionate about. Thanks for the support!

[@rubber800]

Hey Oscar, just wanted to say that your explanations are very clear and it cleared an issue I had with my grasshopper definitions for some time. I always refrained from using offset in grasshopper due to this issue but you have solved it. Thanks.

[@唐小杰-i4b]

thank you so much. this issue bothered me for a long time

[@12370515]

Maybe use "populate" than centroid to generate a point for place the circle, then you can make sure every time the circle is inside the closed curve? (but I am not sure it would be robust) and Thx for your brilliant idea!

[@leztat9565]

thanks for the useful video, one question, let's say I have several closed curves (5 - 10 rectangles), I break them into segments using an explode and offset the segments, and some of segments goes to different directions (3 adges/segments of one rectangle out and one in). How to solve this? thank you.

[@Oscar.3d]

Explode should preserve the direction of the curve. If the same offset plane is used, you shouldn't be getting edges offset in different directions. If you still need help on this, feel free to send me a message with the file at [e-mail]

[@aubryramillon5154]

Hey man, I'm looking for a way to have the dimensions of the curve that would be offset from the curve itself as an annotation. Like Regular curve annotation in Autocad. Do you have any idea of how to do it ? Dim align just create an annotation with a straight line between the ending and starting point. Idk if you know what i mean. Thanks for the answer. Ciao !

[@AhmedRamadan-is1ds]

You can try the CurveLength component. Hope this is what you are looking for.

[@Oscar.3d]

New link to the project files www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/390lgcgsuk50rkg2zum2l/ACatmKMruq49mcAED2T0gJA?rlkey=zozpv61wviq9nhtni20bhxmm8&dl=0

[@yuanhengshih7175]

Hello, I found how you write the closed curve is based on Area, that means the cure need to be on a 2D plan. How to solve this when it's 3D curves?

[@Oscar.3d]

You can try to make your guide circle from the "Volume" centroid instead of the Area one. If the curve is more complicated, you might have to get creative with how to constrain the direction. If you make the curve in GH instead of Rhino, you can be careful to preserve the curve direction throughout your script. Does that answer your question?