On a catamaran, you simply measure centerline to centerline front and back, and you’re there.
On a trimaran, if the amas have no angle, or if the sheer line is parallel to the water, the same.
But who wants amas with no angle and no shape on the sheer? On these, if you match centerline forward with centerline aft, your hulls will not be parallel. This slightly ancient graphic shows why. The CM Construction Manual has this and the new Composites Manual underway now will have a newer graphic of the same thing.