Adobe Illustrator CS5: How can I make sure the distances between all points on two paths are the same?

Question

I have just started to play around with Adobe Illustrator.

How can I make sure distance between path are the same in all of the points.

Please see this image for example: http://awesomescreenshot.com/03bjt5iec

Any suggestion much appreciated.

Answer 1

There are two ways I can think of off the top of my head:

1) Measure tool

• Under the eyedropper tool is the Measure tool. Select it.
• Open up the Info window.
• Click and hold on Point A. Drag to Point B below it. Make a note of the number after the W in the Info window.
• Click and hold on Point C on your first line. Drag to the corresponding Point D on the line below it. Look at the number after the W in the info window.
• Are they the same? If yes, hooray! If not, move D until they are.

2) Copy

• Turn your second path into a Guide. (View→Guides→Make Guide)
• Copy your first line. Lock it.
• Under Edit, select Paste in Place.
• Move your new line down to where the second line was. That guarantees the path is the same shape and all points should be the same distance from their corresponding points.