insets

Insets are elements placed inside another object, typically formed by creating a recess, offset, or embedded image within a larger whole. The term spans several fields, including geometry, cartography, design, and craft, and the precise meaning depends on the context.

In cartography and diagramming, an inset refers to a smaller map or diagram placed within the frame of a larger one. Inset maps provide detail for a region of interest, such as a city or watershed, or show a broader context without enlarging the main view. They are commonly connected to the main map by a locator or boundary line.

In geometry and graphic design, an inset can describe a shape produced by offsetting a boundary inward by a fixed distance. This creates a similar, smaller version of the original figure and is used to form borders, margins, or clearance areas in layouts, screens, and CAD/CAM work. Inlays and insets also appear in visual arts and furniture, where a piece is set flush into a recess in another surface for decorative or structural purposes.

In crafts and construction, inset joints and inlays refer to techniques that seat a piece into a recess so its surface sits level with the surrounding material. This approach improves alignment, strength, and aesthetics, and is common in woodworking, cabinetry, and decorative panels.

Overall, insets describe any element deliberately embedded, offset, or recessed within a larger structure to achieve clarity, fit, or visual emphasis.