SCALING OR SIZING PROBLEM

Thanks Mek. That looks like it should work.

When you scale anything other than objects which have identical height and width (square or a circle), the distance between the the edge of original and scaled object will not be uniform, but mathematically that is correct.

While I have been using Corel Draw for decades (since version 3) I have never tried using the contour tool. I now have tried using it and it works! We are never too old or experienced to learn new techniques. But I also see a problem with the contour tool. The contour it creates is not smaller version of the original object (curve). The curves of the contour are not really curves - they are composed of hundreds of tiny lines! This makes the node count huge! While this might be acceptable to some, I don't like it.

My technique is to assign an outline to the original object which is twice the desired offset of the original object. If I want the thickens between the objects to be 0.1" then I make the outline 0.2" wide (because the outline extends both inwards and outwards from the original object). Then I convert the outline to curves (Arrange>Convert to curves). Then I break that outline object (Arrange>Break Apart). Then I delete the unwanted part. Of course I have to assign outline line thickens to both objects (I do all of this in wireframe mode so I can see the objects) since this process results in objects with no outlines. While some cleanup migth sometimes be needed on the object created from the outline (this happens on some complex shapes). the new object is composed of actual curves (not short lines).

Peteski

Another way*:

Duplicate original object

Add outline to duplicate objects (with width 2 times bigger than required offset)

Convert outline to curves

Create boundary (Arrange – Shaping - Boundary)

Delete duplicate object

 

*on CorelDaw version where function Arrange-Shaping-Boundary applied

Thanks for the update. I tried this or something similar and got similar results. Also this: duplicate, shift and grab a corner handle and move toward center the desired amount. This way appears to work very well with little manipulation, and seems to maintain aspect ratio.