How do I build a border or frame for a sign: double lines, scooped corners and custom corner shapes?

The idea

A border is built, not drawn freehand. Start with the outline of the sign, offset it to get parallel lines, shape the corners with the rectangle corner options or by subtracting shapes, and trim any pattern so it stops at the frame.

Parallel border lines

1. Select the outline of the sign.
2. Open Offset Vectors, choose Inwards, enter the Distance from the edge, and click Offset.
3. Select the new line and offset it inwards again by the width you want for the band.
4. Check Create sharp offset corners if square corners must stay square.

Rounded or scooped corners in one step

In Draw Rectangle set the corner type to Radiused Externally for rounded corners or Radiused Internally for scooped corners, and enter the radius. Green handles on the preview let you drag the radii. Offsetting that rectangle inwards gives a matching inner line.

Custom corners with Subtract and Weld

1. Draw the corner shape, for example a circle centered on the corner of the rectangle.
2. Select the rectangle first, then hold Shift and select the circle last.
3. Click Subtract Vectors. The last selected shape is cut away from the first, leaving a bite out of the corner.
4. Repeat for each corner.
5. To add a shape instead (ears, a top crest), select both and use Weld Vectors, which keeps the outermost edge of the overlapping shapes.

Stop a pattern at the frame

1. Select the lines or pattern to trim.
2. Hold Shift and select the boundary last.
3. Open Trim Objects and choose Clear outside boundary to keep only what is inside the frame, or Clear inside boundary for the opposite.
4. Check Refit Curves After Clipping. Trimming breaks curves into many small lines, and this option converts them back to curves.

Pro tips

• The boundary for trimming must be one object. If it is made of several vectors, group them first (G).
• Offsetting an open line uses Right and Left instead of outwards and inwards, judged from the start node (shown green in node editing).
• These tools treat closed vectors as solid areas. An open outline gives odd results, so close it first (see the entry on fixing open vectors).
• Selection order matters in Subtract and Trim (see the entry on whether the order you select vectors in matters).