I'd like to know how to do this too...I need offset curves from curves I already have...

i feel like geomerative library might be a good starting point, but I dont know the first things about libraries...

http://www.ricardmarxer.com/processing/geomerative/documentation/index.htm

I'm no expert in geometry, but typically offsetting is about producing a new line where each point is equally located a given distance away from the original curve or surface away from a base surface or curve and consequently each point within a curve is actually being translated in a different direction probably with respect to some center, or perpindicular to the original tangent at the point....just think of a circle being offset inwards or outwards and how the radius of the offset circle is different from the original one. that's probably self explanatory and maybe you are still going to argue that each of those points are still being translated...

but if it's so simple, how do you do it? I have some shapes and I want to offset them all ...?

a quick google image search came up with this page:
http://moi3d.com/1.0/docs/moi_command_reference7.htm
do a 'find' on the page for offset and it should explain...

thanks!

did I create a need you didn't even know you had? interesting

maybe offset is just something I take for granted as something everybody knows about and uses...I'm in architecture so it's pretty commonplace....

Ah, I see. To take a simple example, a circle will become a larger circle, but a ring will be larger but with a smaller hole, right? For a letter, it will make a bolder character.

As you suppose, the problem isn't trivial, as there is no primitive transform on these.
Indeed, I would look at moving the control points in a direction perpendicular to the curve, toward the outside (or inside if shrinking). So you have to find the perpendiculars and the outside/inside of the shape.

I will take a look at the page you point to.