AutoCAD's native offset command creates linear entities parallel to selected linear entities. The 'Offset Through & Close' command brings the original linear entity and the parallel entity together. It creates a closed polyline by connecting the ends of both entities. The through side of the command makes the parallel entity follow your cursor movements so you can aim for a proper distance. You can choose a specific layer to create the new polyline on by selecting an entity. The new polyline doesn't necessarily have to be created on one side; when offsetting to both sides the command will connect both offsets with each other effectively drawing a new polyline around the selected linear entity. You can choose whether the new polyline has straight ends or curved ends and when you activate the multiple option you can keep on clicking. You can read the distance in the command line, it keeps updating when you move the mouse, so you know what the distance at that moment is. You can enter an exact distance though to keep your drawing clean and accurate.