Similar extension to [Filter By Length/Area](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/books/fablab-chemnitz/page/filter-by-lengtharea "Filter By Length/Area")
[](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/uploads/images/gallery/2025-05/ZP9wmjAnrkdLtuJh-grafik.png) [](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/uploads/images/gallery/2025-05/AMrIXFCHEPMVv1Pw-grafik.png) # Line Merging (Combine Paths) Merge lines whose endings and starts overlap or are very close. By default, linemerge considers both directions of a stroke. If there is no additional start of a stroke within the provided tolerance, it also checks for ending points of strokes and uses them in reverse. You can use the --no-flip to disable this reversing behaviour and preserve the stroke direction from the input. By default, gaps of maximum 0.05mm are considered for merging. Also check out [vpype Free Mode](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/books/fablab-chemnitz/page/vpype-free-mode) which can do the same and more. See [https://vpype.readthedocs.io/en/stable/reference.html#linemerge](https://vpype.readthedocs.io/en/stable/reference.html#linemerge)Similar extension to [Chain Paths](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/books/fablab-chemnitz/page/chain-paths), [Join Paths / Create Tabs And Dimples](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/books/fablab-chemnitz/page/join-paths-create-tabs-and-dimples), [Close Paths](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/books/fablab-chemnitz/page/close-paths)
Similar to default function "Path → Combine" (CTRL + K)
inverted function is [Split All](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/books/fablab-chemnitz/page/split-all)
Warning: Can mess your paths because it does not delete overlapping duplicate line segments!
[](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/uploads/images/gallery/2025-05/Y7eMmtLIsHiCe19s-grafik.png) [](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/uploads/images/gallery/2025-05/U5HGIUrYgxKkoFKY-grafik.png) ## Draw some paths and attach the path node ends with each other [](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/uploads/images/gallery/2025-05/xPI23PyVu7xrsEtH-grafik.png) ## Run the extension and get the result [](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/uploads/images/gallery/2025-05/nYH4k1yjCIbjYm9b-grafik.png) # Line Sorting - This extension is similar to [Optimize Sequence: Travel Distances](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/books/fablab-chemnitz/page/optimize-sequence-travel-distances "Optimize Sequence: Travel Distances") and [Optimize Sequence: Small Holes First](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/books/fablab-chemnitz/page/optimize-sequence-small-holes-first "Optimize Sequence: Small Holes First"). - Also have a look at [https://github.com/inconvergent/svgsort](https://github.com/inconvergent/svgsort) which could be another great path planning tool for InkScape. - Also check out [vpype Free Mode](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/books/fablab-chemnitz/page/vpype-free-mode "vpype Free Mode") which can do the same and more. [](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/uploads/images/gallery/2025-05/OQ0e1DQWkIn3GVKY-grafik.png) [](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/uploads/images/gallery/2025-05/dkEbASLpUM9dowNs-grafik.png) ## Example| **Before conversion** | **After conversion (showing the same lines sorted plus traveling lines + conversion statistics)** |
| [](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/uploads/images/gallery/2025-05/2lmQ1AdQemR0AWql-grafik.png) | [](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/uploads/images/gallery/2025-05/dct1vpbgYaz37tmI-grafik.png) [](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/uploads/images/gallery/2025-05/YMCmVXL1ZuhVvpmd-grafik.png) |
Also have a look at [Purge Duplicate Path Nodes](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/books/fablab-chemnitz/page/purge-duplicate-path-nodes) if you only want to remove duplicate knot handles in a path.
[](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/uploads/images/gallery/2025-05/FuWMMfuxLC9kY4Sd-grafik.png) [](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/uploads/images/gallery/2025-05/M7jAMQ3tdWy1u68u-grafik.png) ## Troubleshooting / Upgrade extension If the extension does not generate any output and you cannot explain why, please check if you have the latest version installed. Sometimes exceptions are hidden which show up when running from console instead. Typical error like this: ```bash Traceback (most recent call last): File "c:\users\tomate\appdata\local\programs\python\python39\lib\site-packages\click_plugins\core.py", line 37, in decorator group.add_command(entry_point.load()) File "c:\users\tomate\appdata\local\programs\python\python39\lib\site-packages\pkg_resources\__init__.py", line 2450, in load return self.resolve() File "c:\users\tomate\appdata\local\programs\python\python39\lib\site-packages\pkg_resources\__init__.py", line 2456, in resolve module = __import__(self.module_name, fromlist=['__name__'], level=0) File "c:\users\tomate\appdata\local\programs\python\python39\lib\site-packages\occult\occult.py", line 7, inThe inverted function is [Line Merging (Combine Paths)](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/books/fablab-chemnitz/page/line-merging-combine-paths "Line Merging (Combine Paths)")
Split All extension might be really slow on large documents. Maybe you can go get some coffee while it performs.
## Create some paths [](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/uploads/images/gallery/2025-05/Lm4t6Ym4pk8rJEiQ-grafik.png) ## Run the extension [](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/uploads/images/gallery/2025-05/EpnQ0aXItv5GmxuM-grafik.png) ## Get the result We can move all lines separately now, like this: [](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/uploads/images/gallery/2025-05/N9vYLtM419i4LJkF-grafik.png) # Trimming Trim the geometries by some margin. This command trims the geometries by the provided X and Y margins with respect to the current bounding box. Also check out [vpype Free Mode](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/books/fablab-chemnitz/page/vpype-free-mode "vpype Free Mode") which can do the same and more. [](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/uploads/images/gallery/2025-05/dKi09lMKgQ8BKksL-grafik.png) [](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/uploads/images/gallery/2025-05/qKqgsU1M63YFD9l3-grafik.png) ## Draw some paths [](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/uploads/images/gallery/2025-05/kUxMeVjJZZwxQeaV-grafik.png) ## Run the extension and get result [](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/uploads/images/gallery/2025-05/B6C7pMNJzPSm3rum-grafik.png) # vpype Free Mode This extension mode for vpypetools allows to execute one up to five command sets in the given row. It works on the current selection of paths, or if nothing selected it applies to all paths in the document. You can do exactly the same like in [Filter](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/books/fablab-chemnitz/page/filter), [Line Sorting](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/books/fablab-chemnitz/page/line-sorting) and so on, but you are freely more versatile entering combinations as you like. Free Mode allows to enter different units, like **"trim 1mm 3cm"** [](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/uploads/images/gallery/2025-05/KUPatnUUDuN08ERb-grafik.png) [](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/uploads/images/gallery/2025-05/xgYKWRpJDPtrqesR-grafik.png) [](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/uploads/images/gallery/2025-05/69qyi7rZ0dhIcbjU-grafik.png) # vpypetools Intro [](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/uploads/images/gallery/2025-05/CMcAojYfIVDjjwYa-grafik.png) ## About vpype and this extension vpype is a command processor working with SVG files. It can do a lot of productive steps to optimize files for different purposes like pen plotting, laser cutting or the generation of creative artwork. vpype is really powerful and helps to extend Inkscape feature capability. vpype contains a lot of functionality which is included natively within Inkscape. The extension "vpype for Inkscape" does not deal with all features but with a set of important commands like linemerge, linesort, linesimplify, occult, etc. We can use it to shorten tool path lengths, remove hidden lines and so on. vpype converts all elements into simple SVG elements like **svg:line**, **svg:polyline** and **svg:polygon**. They can be displayed properly in Inkscape, but they have no knot handles to edit (see [https://alpha.inkscape.org/vectors/www.inkscapeforum.com/viewtopicb51d.html?f=16&t=32562](https://alpha.inkscape.org/vectors/www.inkscapeforum.com/viewtopicb51d.html?f=16&t=32562)). We need to convert those elements to **svg:path** using key combination **CTRL + SHIFT + C** ("object to path"; do not use "stroke to path" because it will duplicate your outline with inset and outset contours). Our extension allows to do this conversion **automatically**. ## Caveats of vpype - requires to simplify bezier curves to polylines (reduces quality) - does not honor the individual line styles (like width, color, miter, ...) - the output lines all will have the same style. We can work with vpype layerwise to distinguish between different styles - output is done in svg:line, svg:polyline and svg:polygon. Converting them back in Inkscape (we need paths) is really slow. Native svg:path output would be great ** Source code → [https://github.com/abey79/vpype](https://github.com/abey79/vpype)** ## Preparations (Installation of vpype) At first we need to install vpype and occult extension. It was tested successfully... - with Python 3.8.5 on Ubuntu 20 LTS (Python 3.9 failed to install vpype and occult) - with Python 3.9 on Windows 10 We use vpype 1.7 (2021-06-10) vpype Changelog: [https://vpype.readthedocs.io/en/stable/CHANGELOG.html](https://vpype.readthedocs.io/en/stable/CHANGELOG.html) ## Linux / Windows Python modules ```bash pip install vpype #pip install git+https://github.com/abey79/vpype.git #or by using pipx pip uninstall vpype pip install pipx pipx ensurepath # restart your shell pipx install "vpype[all]" #extra module occult pip install git+https://github.com/LoicGoulefert/occult.git#egg=occult #or pip install vpype-occult #extra module deduplicate pip install git+https://github.com/LoicGoulefert/deduplicate.git#egg=deduplicate ``` ## Special inclusions and similarities to existing Inkscape extensions - linemerge: [Join Paths / Create Tabs And Dimples](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/books/fablab-chemnitz/page/join-paths-create-tabs-and-dimples), [Close Paths](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/books/fablab-chemnitz/page/close-paths) and [Chain Paths](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/books/fablab-chemnitz/page/chain-paths) - linesort: [Optimize Sequence: Travel Distances](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/books/fablab-chemnitz/page/optimize-sequence-travel-distances) and [Optimize Sequence: Small Holes First](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/books/fablab-chemnitz/page/optimize-sequence-small-holes-first) - linesimplify: native function "Path → Simplify" - filter: [Contour Scanner And Trimmer](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/books/fablab-chemnitz/page/contour-scanner-and-trimmer) - multipass: none - occult: [Purge Duplicate Path Nodes](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/books/fablab-chemnitz/page/purge-duplicate-path-nodes) and [Purge Duplicate Path Segments](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/books/fablab-chemnitz/page/purge-duplicate-path-segments) - trim: [Destructive Clip](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/books/fablab-chemnitz/page/destructive-clip) **Overview by docs** - [Deduplicate Plugin](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/books/fablab-chemnitz/page/deduplicate-plugin) - [Filter](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/books/fablab-chemnitz/page/filter) - [Line Merging (Combine Paths)](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/books/fablab-chemnitz/page/line-merging-combine-paths) - [Line Sorting](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/books/fablab-chemnitz/page/line-sorting) - [Multipass](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/books/fablab-chemnitz/page/multipass) - [Occult Plugin (Hidden / Superimposed Line Removal)](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/books/fablab-chemnitz/page/occult-plugin-hidden-superimposed-line-removal) - [Relooping](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/books/fablab-chemnitz/page/relooping) - [Split All](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/books/fablab-chemnitz/page/split-all) - [Trimming](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/books/fablab-chemnitz/page/trimming) - [vpype Free Mode](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/books/fablab-chemnitz/page/vpype-free-mode) ## Feature exclusions As mentioned vpype has a lot of features, but we do not need all of them. We decided to exclude or handle the following functions more strictly because a lot of stuff is integrated in Inkscape natively. You can try to use [vpype Free Mode](https://old.stadtfabrikanten.org/display/IFM/vpype+Free+Mode) to use these.| **category** | **comments** |
| Primitives | ```bash arc, circle, ellipse, line, rect ``` |
| Block control | ```bash begin, end ``` |
| Operation | ```bash crop # we use trim feature instead layout #Inkscape: CTRL + SHIFT + D pagesize #Inkscape: CTRL + SHIFT + D reverse #Inkscape: Path > Reverse ``` |
| Generators | ```bash frame #see "Bounding Box" extension random ``` See [Bounding Box](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/books/fablab-chemnitz/page/bounding-box) |
| Block processors | ```bash grid, repeat ``` Native functions inside Inkscape |
| Layers | ```bash lcopy, ldelete, lmove ``` This is too generic to make use inside Inkscape |
| Input | ```bash script ``` This is too generic to make use inside Inkscape |
| Transforms | ```bash rotate, scale, scaleto, skew, translate ``` See [Scale To Path Length](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/books/fablab-chemnitz/page/scale-to-path-length), [Scale To Real](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/books/fablab-chemnitz/page/scale-to-real), [Scale To Size (Replaced by default transform scale)](https://wiki.stadtfabrikanten.org/books/fablab-chemnitz/page/scale-to-size-replaced-by-default-transform-scale) and native functions like path effects and transformations |
| Filters | ```bash squiggles ``` |
| Text | ```bash text ``` See [Hershey Text Alternative](https://old.stadtfabrikanten.org/display/IFM/Hershey+Text+Alternative) |