Can you extrude a mesh like a 'stroke'? In a 2D app like Photoshop or GIMP, you can add a stroke to an object, and an outline is created for it that's of even distance around the shape. I want to do this for an irregular mesh in Blender.

For regular meshes like circles, spheres, squares and cubes, everything works well - E, S, scale out the extrusion. But for irregular shapes, I'm stumped.


This 'E' was selected, then E, S, mouse-dragged out (median point center). It doesn't border the original 'E' at all, and I wouldn't expect it to. Is there an option/add-on that allows for an extrusion at a set distance from the original mesh?
Edit:

This script can apparently be used to stroke edges outward:
https://wiki.blender.org/index.php/Extensions:2.6/Py/Scripts/Modeling/offset_edges

If, for some reason, you can't use the script, you can use the workaround in my old answer.

Old answer

This is just a workaround. Find an add-on if you have to do this frequently.

1 - Extrude the shape

2 - Select one face on the top and on the bottom



3 - Select linked flat faces


This should select everything on the top and bottom.

4 - Select inverse


This will select the rim edges

5 - (optional) Extrude, don't move them and Enter

6 - Shrink/fatten


You should see this result:


7 - If necessary, delete unneeded geometry

Select one face on the top - Select linked flat faces - Select inverse - Delete!