Negative value for Inset
You should be able to dial in negative values of the inset, so you can create an inverse inset. A similar result, as if you would inset a face, and then scale the resulting face to be bigger than the original face. While this "inset and scale" method works on a simple cube, for example, it doesn't work on more complex shapes.
4 Comments
I use this script in 2.7x all the time to what you want on complex shapes. en.blender.org/index.php/Extensions:2.6/Py/Scripts/Modeling/offset_edges
As far as I know there isn't a 2.8 version yet though but I def think it should just be in Blender by default.
@billyjonsmith:
There kind-of-sort-of appears to be an unofficial work-in-progress version that mostly works with Blender 2.80. There is an active thread on Blender Artists elaborating on the details:
blenderartists.org/t/offset-edges/584283
It is a fantastic AddOn which resolves several minor issues I have with Blender's extrusion and edge slide tool set. I hope eventually these modeling options become native.
@dcb.creative: Thanks just tried it :)
This is a duplicate of the Outset suggestion: blender.community/c/rightclickselect/ptbbbc/