parallel lines around a erregular shaped object

[myshop1044]

I'm trying to set parallel lines one inside another of the attached mpc..
I know I can do this in circles, squares, etc but what about something like
the fleur de les in the center. centered it both ways, do an outline. when i bring in another and center , it I can not get parallel lines ,by reducing the size by dragging the corners inward, in order to do an outline on the smaller one. Oh by the way I don't want the pattern only the outline, so I can use 60 deg v on the outline.
Is there a way to do this and keep them centered.

give this some though and let me know

Thanks again
Myshop1044

[AskBud]

OK, try this, it will work.
1) Make your outline.
2) Copy the outline and PASTE.
3) Highlight both and center both.
4) Go to the Carving list and highlight one of them, select the V-bit, and set the "Inset" to (0.1). Make your depth about (0.05) as a test.
5) Highlight the other outline and do the same as step #4, but use an Inset of (-0.1).

See if that gets you close to what you want.
AskBud

[myshop1044]

Thanks Bud, it worked great.
I have 1 other question in relation to this.
When I went back and selected an outline and selected v bit again I notice it doesn't retain the setting I had just selected, this there any way this can be capture for further reference on that project?
I'm really playing with INSET feature and I can see where it will do me some good.
I have another question while I have your ear, When I place text in an arc
let say top and bottom around an object how can I keep the same letter size as for as height. what do you use as a guide to do this.
Thank you again on the help.

Myshop1044

[AskBud]

Thanks Bud, it worked great.
I have 1 other question in relation to this.
When I went back and selected an outline and selected v bit again I notice it doesn't retain the setting I had just selected, this there any way this can be capture for further reference on that project?I'm really playing with INSET feature and I can see where it will do me some good.
I have another question while I have your ear, When I place text in an arc
let say top and bottom around an object how can I keep the same letter size as for as height. what do you use as a guide to do this.
Thank you again on the help.
Myshop1044

Myshop,
In this case, You could hold off on your COPY until after you set up the first V-bit carve. Then do your COPY and PASTE. Now highlight the second outline, center, and then go to the option window above and place a MINUS in front of the Inset measurement.

If you need.want a specific height of lettering, on an arc, try this.
Draw two circles marking the top & bottom of the highest letter you wish (no bit selected, just the dotted lines). If you are using an arc other than 180 or 360, draw two arcs the radii you wish rather than the circles. Now when you drag your text into that area, you may re-size as needed. This re-sizing will take some patience!

AskBud

[Capt Bruce]

As a follow up to what AskBud advised I used that two circle guide method to accomplish the individually set centerline letters in the top arc of the attached MPC of the DHS Seal.

Because the letters had to be set "around" some other carving elements of the seal I found it necessary to set them to the circles and adjust both their sizes, letter spacing and angles individually.

Hope this might serve as an example even if it isn't the cleanest design.

Capt Bruce